Effect of Scramble Game on Senior Secondary School Students’ Yorùbá Vocabulary Achievement in Kogi-West Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of Scramble Game in enhancing Yorùbá vocabulary achievement among senior secondary school students in Kogi-west Senatorial District, Nigeria. Using a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design, the study compared the vocabulary achievement of students taught using Scramble Game with those taught using conventional teaching method. A total of 100 students participated in the study, with 50 assigned to the experimental and control group respectively. The Yorùbá Vocabulary Achievement Test (YVAT) was used to assess students’ proficiency before and after the intervention. The findings revealed that students in the experimental group significantly outperformed those in the Conventional Method group, demonstrating the potency of game-based learning in improving vocabulary retention. The Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) results confirmed that Scramble Game had a statistically significant effect on students’ post-test scores (F(1, 73) = 49.511, p < 0.05), reinforcing its efficacy as a vocabulary learning tool. Additionally, the study found no significant difference in vocabulary achievement between male and female students (F(1, 73) = 0.263, p > 0.05), indicating that Scramble Game is equally beneficial for both genders. The study concluded that Scramble Game is a valuable instructional tool that can revitalise Yorùbá language education and improve students' vocabulary mastery. Based on these findings, the study recommends the integration of game-based learning into Yorùbá language instruction to enhance student engagement and achievement. Also, teachers should be trained on how to implement educational games effectively, while policymakers should consider curriculum revisions to incorporate interactive learning strategies. Future research should explore the long-term effects of game-based learning, its application in other indigenous languages, and its potential in digital learning environments.