Part A: Literature Review

What factors impact student engagement in secondary schools?

Subtopic How does game-based learning engage EAL/D students at Year 10 English
question: class?

Students have a tendency to be disengaged from their classes for various reasons. To

address this issue, educators continuously explore strategies that correspond to certain

contexts. There are various strategies that have been developed to be able to do so, one

of which is the game-based learning (GBL) approach. This study will primarily focus on this

strategy (GBL) and examine its impacts on the learning of secondary school students,

particularly of “English as an Additional Language or Dialect” or EAL/D students.

Aside from the skills that students could gain from this, it will also benefit the teachers as

they can use this for student assessment through observations (Kaya, 2010 as cited in Pho

and Dinscore, 2015). 

The use of games in learning has posed positive effects on student engagement because

the concept of fun associated with games compensates for the perceived lack of

entertainment in traditional learning contexts (Milovanović, Minović, Kovačević, Minović,

& Starčević, 2009).

Many teachers today are adopting the use of GBL as one of their pedagogies to assist

students in improving their learning. In a study, GBL was combined with Mindtool, a

computer-assisted learning tool. The participants were asked to organize knowledge

collaboratively in the Mindtool used, and it was found that it had positive effects on

learning motivation, attitudes, achievement and self-efficacy (Sung & Hwang, 2013).
 Part B: Action Research Protocol
Participants Six Year 10 EAL/D students
Method Ethnographic Observation of Game-based Learning approach

This research wants to determine the effectiveness of game-based learning (GBL) as one

of the teaching strategies for EAL/D students’ learning process.

In this research method, the researcher will observe six Year 10 EAL/D students during

their English classes for multiple times. In order to collect the information from the

students, the researcher will ask the permission from the English teacher to observe the

class to investigate the ways they employ to facilitate student engagement in class. The

researcher will then take field notes and participate in the game-based activity of the

class.

Modified Consent Form

Dear Potential Participant:

I am working on a project titled “How does game-based learning engage EAL/D students in
Year 10 English class” for the class, ‘Researching Teaching and Learning 2,’ at Western
Sydney University. As part of the project, I am collecting information to help inform the
design of a teacher research proposal.

The overarching topic for this research is the factors that impact student engagement in
secondary schools. The main objective is to identify learning and engaging activities that can
assist the education of students inside the classroom. In this particular paper, the objective
is to discover the impact on learning of game-based approach in Year 10 EAL/D students. To
fulfil this, ethnographic observation of the activities throughout the lesson will be employed.
In addition to this, I will be participating in the game-based activity with the consent of your
teacher. 

Rest assured that all information gathered in this study will only be used for the purpose of
this research.

By signing this form, I acknowledge that:

 I have read the project information and have been given the opportunity to discuss
the information and my involvement in the project with the researcher.
 The procedures required for the project and the time involved have been explained
to me, and any questions I have about the project have been answered to my
satisfaction.
 I consent the researcher to take field notes and observe me for the whole duration
of the class.
 I understand that my involvement is confidential and that the information gained
during this data collection experience will only be reported within the confines of the
‘Researching Teaching and Learning 2’ unit, and that all personal details will be de-
identified from the data.
 I understand that I can withdraw from the project at any time, without affecting my
relationship with the researcher, now or in the future.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I am 18 years of age or older, or I am a full-time

university student who is 17 years old.

Signed: __________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________

By signing below, I acknowledge that I am the legal guardian of a person who is 16 or 17

years old and provide my consent for the person’s participation.

Signed: __________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________