An Interactive Digital Game on Phonics for Nursery Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The integration of interactive digital game in instructional system has the potential of revitalizing Phonics instruction and making reading more relevant to the lives of children growing up in the electronic age. Despite the potentials of digital game in enhancing learning at the early childhood educational level, they are not being fully utilised. This study therefore developed a digital game on phonics (DGOP) and evaluated its effectiveness in enhancing pupils learning. The research is design and development of the model type. The package was tested for effectiveness on 30 pupils. Research question one was qualitatively analysed, research questions two and three were analysed using means, standard deviation and percentages. Findings showed that: pupils reacted positively to the use of the package. Percentage reaction of the pupils to the use of DGOP showed 95.24% of ‘Yes' and 4.76% of ‘No' reaction also, the mean score out of a maximum of 2 for pupils reaction was 1.87. Pupils generally had an overall higher achievement in PRAT when they were exposed to DGOP. The mean score of pupils' achievement in PRAT is 24.20, while the standard deviation was 2.04 and df was 14.  Thus, integrating interactive digital games into teaching and learning of phonics for nursery pupils will enhance their skills in reading and introduce them early to basic ICT skills. It was recommended that contextually, relevant interactive digital-based games be developed for all subjects in early childhood education in Nigeria.