THERAPEUTIC GAME BASED LEARNING: AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO ENHANCING COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING AMONG CHILDREN WITH CANCER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1164089Keywords:
Children with Cancer, Cognitive Well-Being, Community-Based Inclusive Education, Educational Therapy, Emotional Well-Being, Therapeutic Game-Based LearningAbstract
Children diagnosed with cancer may experience interruptions to learning and social participation due to prolonged treatment, hospitalisation, fatigue, and changes in their daily routines. Although Game-Based Learning (GBL) has been associated with learner engagement and academic learning, its use as a supportive educational approach for children with cancer remains insufficiently explored. This study examined changes in selected learning-related and psychosocial indicators following participation in Therapeutic Game-Based Learning (TGBL). An explanatory mixed-methods design was used with 85 children registered with the Friends of Childhood Cancer Association (FOCCAN) who participated in the Kids Day Out: Math Fun Carnival 2.0 programme. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-programme questionnaires covering four constructs: Knowledge, Skills, Aspirations, and Attitude Change. Open-ended feedback was collected to provide additional context regarding participants’ experiences. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests, while qualitative responses were reviewed thematically. The overall mean score increased from 2.21 (SD = 0.53) before the programme to 4.61 (SD = 0.18) afterwards, with a statistically significant difference, t = −52.685, p < .001. Although the findings indicate a substantial pre–post difference, the one-group design does not establish that TGBL alone caused the observed change. The study provides preliminary evidence of the potential of a community-based, inclusive learning model that combines educational games, social interaction, and supportive learning experiences for children with cancer.
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