Digital games in early childhood education: greek preschool teachers’ views

STAMATINA KOLOVOU, IOANNA KOUTSOLABROU, KONSTANTINOS LAVIDAS, VASSILIS KOMIS, IRO VOULGARI

Abstract

Research examining preschool teachers' views on the use of digital games in teaching and learning is quite limited. This study aims to investigate preschool teachers’ views about the integration of digital games in the classroom. Views from ten Greek preschool teachers were collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Teachers mention that use various digital environment such as "KidMedia", "RamKid", "Kidepedia", "TuxPaint" as digital games and use them mainly for students’ assessment or just for relaxation, while fewer choose to teach through digital games. Teachers observe that children are more focused and are more productive without complaining and getting bored easily. Finally, participants report as barriers mainly the lack of equipment. Implications for in-service teacher training and educational policy are discussed.

Keywords

Digital Games, Games-based Learning, Early Childhood Education, preschool teachers’ views, Greece

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/mje.3764

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Mediterranean Journal of Education | ISSN: 2732-6489 |  Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood EducationUniversity of Patras.

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