Research Article

Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics

Volume: 11 Number: 3 June 11, 2026

Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of digital games, played collaboratively, on fourth- grade students’ emotional experiences, peer interactions, and classroom management dynamics. A mixed-methods design was employed, involving 31 primary school students. Data triangulation was achieved through the Brief Emotional Experience Scale (BEES), open-ended reflections, structured classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews with all participants over a four-week implementation period. Quantitative analysis, using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, revealed statistically significant improvements in emotional states. Positive emotions increased significantly between Weeks 2 and 4, while negative emotions decreased between Weeks 3 and 4, suggesting that emotional shifts emerged progressively. Qualitative thematic analysis supported these results, with students describing the experience as enjoyable, motivating, and socially engaging. Observations indicated high levels of active participation, peer support, and shared responsibility. However, challenges such as occasional competition-related tension and increased noise levels were noted, highlighting the necessity of structured facilitation. Overall, the findings suggest that digital games played in a collaborative, whole-class format can foster emotionally engaging and socially interactive environments. The study concludes that successful implementation depends on clear pedagogical planning and proactive classroom management strategies to balance engagement with classroom order.

Keywords

classroom management, emotional experience, social interaction, game-based learning.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ankara University (Approval Number: 119, Date: 22.05.2025). All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee.

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APA
Topçu, T., & Doğan, D. (2026). Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.53850/joltida.1803803
AMA
1.Topçu T, Doğan D. Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics. JOLTIDA. 2026;11(3). doi:10.53850/joltida.1803803
Chicago
Topçu, Tuba, and Dilek Doğan. 2026. “Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics”. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age 11 (3). https://doi.org/10.53850/joltida.1803803.
EndNote
Topçu T, Doğan D (June 1, 2026) Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age 11 3
IEEE
[1]T. Topçu and D. Doğan, “Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics”, JOLTIDA, vol. 11, no. 3, June 2026, doi: 10.53850/joltida.1803803.
ISNAD
Topçu, Tuba - Doğan, Dilek. “Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics”. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age 11/3 (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.53850/joltida.1803803.
JAMA
1.Topçu T, Doğan D. Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics. JOLTIDA. 2026;11. doi:10.53850/joltida.1803803.
MLA
Topçu, Tuba, and Dilek Doğan. “Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics”. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age, vol. 11, no. 3, June 2026, doi:10.53850/joltida.1803803.
Vancouver
1.Tuba Topçu, Dilek Doğan. Playing Together: The Impact of Digital Games on Student Emotions, Social Interaction, and Classroom Dynamics. JOLTIDA. 2026 Jun. 1;11(3). doi:10.53850/joltida.1803803