A study on digital game preferences and game-playing motivations of pre-service teachers

Authors : Ferhat Kadir Pala, Pınar Mıhcı Türker, Mücahit Öztürk
Pages : 550-572
Doi:10.33400/kuje.1601806
View : 101 | Download : 210
Publication Date : 2025-11-30
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Today, individuals of all ages utilize digital games to spend their leisure time. Pre-service teachers also engage in playing digital games. It is believed that determining pre-service teachers\\\' motivation in playing digital games will significantly shape future educational practices. Understanding game preferences by identifying motivational factors will reveal insights into their approaches to digital games and how they may perceive potential educational applications. This study, which aims to determine whether pre-service teachers\\\' motivation to play digital games varies according to game type, reasons for playing, platforms used, game-playing time, and gender, is an explanatory case study. The descriptive method was employed in the study. Participants were determined through a convenient sampling method. The research group was comprised of 240 pre-service teachers studying at Aksaray University during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Computer Gaming Motivation Scale and a demographic information questionnaire were used for data collection. Analyses were conducted using the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis-H and Mann Whitney-U tests. According to the study\\\'s findings, pre-service teachers’ motivations for playing games vary according to the types of games they play. The majority of pre-service teachers prefer action-adventure and puzzle-intelligence games. Features such as the ability of games to provide enjoyable experiences while relieving stress and creating competition through individual or collaborative tasks enhance game-playing motivation. Differences have been found in the motivations of pre-service teachers based on the platforms they play on. Additionally, it was determined that as the duration of gameplay increases, so does their motivation for playing games. Male participants’ motivations for playing games were higher than those of female participants.
Keywords : oyun tercihleri, motivasyon, fakülte, cinsiyet, öğretmen adayları

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