The Group Investigation Technique (GI) and Gamification for Learning Activities to Enhance Scientific Explanation and Learning Achievement for Mattayomsuksa 5 Students

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) develop learning activities using Group Investigation (GI) techniques combined with Gamification in Biology for Mattayomsuksa 5 Student. 2) Compare students’ ability to construct scientific explanations before and after receiving the learning activities. 3) To compare the learning achievement of students before and after receiving the learning activities. The sample used in this research consisted of Mattayomsuksa 5 students from Chiang Rai Municipality School 6 during the second semester  of 2024 academic year. There are 6 classrooms and 233 students. 
The sample was selected through cluster random sampling, and the study employed a quasi-experimental research design using a one-group pretest-posttest design. The research instruments included : (1) eight lesson plans, (2) a scientific explanation ability test (2 subjective questions) and (3) a learning achievement test (20 multiple-choice questions). Data were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation, and pretest and posttest scores were compared using a t-test.
The research revealed that :
1) The learning activities developed using Group Investigation (GI) technique combined with Gamification in Biology for Mattayomsuksa 5 students were rate as highly appropriate ( = 4.88, S.D. = 0.22)
2) Students' ability to construct scientific explanations after the intervention (  = 9.33, S.D. = 1.74)  was significantly higher than before the intervention ( = 3.79, S.D. = 1.36) at the .05 level.
3) Students’ learning achievement after the intervention ( = 14.55, S.D. = 2.41) was significantly higher than before the intervention ( = 6.96, S.D. = 1.94) at the .05 level.
This demonstrates that organizing learning activities using group inquiry-based learning (GI) techniques combined with gamification effectively develops students' ability to construct scientific explanations and improves their academic achievement.