Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students

Yusuf Kızıltaş; Tuğba Yulet Yılmaz

doi:10.63612/ijesp.1978755

Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students

Abstract

This study examined the effects of gamified digital learning tools on fourth-grade students’ mathematics anxiety and attitudes toward mathematics. An embedded mixed-methods design was employed, combining a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group design with a qualitative case study. The participants were 66 fourth-grade students (experimental = 33, control = 33). The intervention lasted eight weeks, during which Matific, Wordwall, and Kahoot! were integrated into mathematics instruction in complementary ways. Quantitative data were collected using the Mathematics Anxiety Scale for Elementary School Children and the Attitude Toward Mathematics Scale, while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured focus group interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and ANCOVA by controlling for pre-test scores after testing assumptions, whereas qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings showed that gamified digital learning tools significantly reduced mathematics anxiety and improved attitudes toward mathematics. Qualitative findings supported these results, revealing that students perceived mathematics lessons as more enjoyable, motivating, supportive, and conducive to a stronger sense of achievement. These findings suggest that integrating well-structured gamified digital tools into mathematics instruction can support both cognitive engagement and affective development.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The ethics application for the study was made on 23/01/2025, and the research was carried out with the approval of the Van Yuzuncu Yil University Social and Humanities Research Ethics Committee dated 23/01/2025 and numbered 2025/02-37

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Instructional Technologies, Educational Technology and Computing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yusuf Kızıltaş ^*
0000-0001-9434-4629
Türkiye

Tuğba Yulet Yılmaz
0000-0003-2872-4062
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 1, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 25, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1978755

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62SZ38AB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kızıltaş, Y., & Yılmaz, T. Y. (2026). Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1978755

AMA

1.Kızıltaş Y, Yılmaz TY. Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students. IJESP. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.63612/ijesp.1978755

Chicago

Kızıltaş, Yusuf, and Tuğba Yulet Yılmaz. 2026. “Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among Primary School Students”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1978755.

EndNote

Kızıltaş Y, Yılmaz TY (October 1, 2026) Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]Y. Kızıltaş and T. Y. Yılmaz, “Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students”, IJESP, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.63612/ijesp.1978755.

ISNAD

Kızıltaş, Yusuf - Yılmaz, Tuğba Yulet. “Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among Primary School Students”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy. Advanced Online Publication (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1978755.

JAMA

1.Kızıltaş Y, Yılmaz TY. Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students. IJESP. 2026. doi:10.63612/ijesp.1978755.

MLA

Kızıltaş, Yusuf, and Tuğba Yulet Yılmaz. “Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes Toward Mathematics Among Primary School Students”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi:10.63612/ijesp.1978755.

Vancouver

1.Yusuf Kızıltaş, Tuğba Yulet Yılmaz. Examining the Effects of Gamified Digital Learning Tools on Mathematics Anxiety and Attitudes toward Mathematics among Primary School Students. IJESP. 2026 Oct. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.63612/ijesp.1978755