Title: The impact of game-based learning on learners' academic performance, social skills, and academic emotions in computer studies

Authors: Ayaz Muhammad Hanif; Zohra Saleem; Yasir Javed; Abdel-Karim Al-Tamimi

Addresses: Pak-Austria Fachhochschule, Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Pakistan ' COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan ' Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK ' Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

Abstract: Educational game (EG) has emerged as a potent tool driving educational innovation. Investigating how educational emotions can bridge gaps in EG for computer science education is an emerging but insufficiently explored area. The research explores the relationship between academic performance, social skills, and academic emotions using experimental research based on Driver and Oldham model. It utilised techno-emotive learning environment model (TELEM), based on a web-based educational game (EG) to teach fifth, sixth, and seventh-grade students from five schools using a sequential explanatory design. Out of 170 participants, experimental group (n = 91) used the EG, and a control group (n = 79) received traditional classroom instructions. The EG users demonstrated higher social skills compared to the control group. The experimental group exhibited a noteworthy improvement in the social skills (optimism, zest and curiosity) compared to the control group. Additionally, the experimental group displayed a statistically significant, albeit moderate, enhancement in cognitive outcomes. The findings also revealed that 'hope' did not mediate the relationship, while 'enjoyment' partially mediated the connection between learners' declining performance and post-test scores. 'Anxiety' partially mediated the relationship between declining performance and both pre-test and post-test scores.

Keywords: game-based learning; academic performance; social skills; academic emotions; primary education; computer studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2026.152874

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2026 Vol.21 No.1, pp.19 - 48

Received: 11 Sep 2023
Accepted: 05 Jan 2024
Published online: 14 Apr 2026 *

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