Enhancing Student Engagement, Motivation, Mental Health, and 21st-Century Skills through Game-Based Learning Titik Respati (a*), Sadida Satri (b), Yudi Feriandi (c)
a) Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia
* titik.respati.unisba.ac.id
b) Ludenara Foundation, Bandung, Indonesia
c) Department of Medical Education, Bioethics, and Islamic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia
Abstract
The demand for 21st-century skills, such as collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, calls for innovative educational strategies. Game-based learning (GBL) has emerged as a promising approach, integrating elements of play into structured learning to enhance engagement and skill development. This study investigates the impact of GBL on students^ motivation, engagement, and cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes such as mental health compared to traditional methods. A quantitative approach was employed, involving surveys and interviews with students and teachers in Jakarta Timur (n=139). Participants experienced both traditional and GBL methods, and data were analyzed quantitatively. Results indicate that GBL significantly enhances learning engagement, motivation, and satisfaction related to mental health with 81% of Jakarta Timur students preferring GBL. Academic performance improved, with better scores in formative assessments post-GBL sessions. These findings suggest that GBL is not only an effective tool for academic learning but also a catalyst for developing 21st-century skills and creating playfull learning for children mental wellbeing. By fostering a playful yet structured learning environment, GBL can address gaps in learning stress due to traditional teaching methods. Future research should explore its scalability and long-term effects across diverse educational settings, emphasizing its integration into mainstream curricula to meet modern educational demands and mental wellbeing of the students.
Keywords: game-based learning- playful learning- soft skills, 21st century skills
