The Effectiveness of Game-Based Learning in Enhancing Elementary Students’ Mathematical Conceptual Understanding: A Systematic Literature Review
Keywords:
Game-Based Learning, Mathematical Conceptual Understanding, Elementary Students, Educational Game Media, Augmented RealityAbstract
Mathematics learning in elementary schools should not only emphasize computational skills but also conceptual understanding, which can be developed through active and interactive learning experiences. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Game-Based Learning (GBL) in improving elementary students’ mathematical conceptual understanding and to identify the forms of media, implementation patterns, and conditions that support its effectiveness. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted using the PRISMA framework on 11 articles published between 2022 and 2026 that met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that GBL tends to improve students’ mathematical conceptual understanding through concrete games, digital games, Augmented Reality, and AI Edu Tools, although its effectiveness varies across studies. This review contributes by mapping the types of game-based media, the strength of empirical evidence, and key challenges and research gaps, particularly concerning consistency in measuring conceptual understanding, research design variation, learner characteristics, and learning mechanisms within game-based activities.
Abstrak
Pembelajaran matematika di sekolah dasar tidak hanya menekankan kemampuan berhitung, tetapi juga pemahaman konsep yang dapat dibangun melalui pengalaman belajar yang aktif dan interaktif. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis efektivitas penerapan Game-Based Learning (GBL) dalam meningkatkan pemahaman konsep matematika siswa sekolah dasar serta mengidentifikasi bentuk media, pola penerapan, dan kondisi yang mendukung efektivitasnya. Penelitian menggunakan Systematic Literature Review (SLR) dengan pedoman PRISMA terhadap 11 artikel terbitan 2022–2026 yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa GBL cenderung efektif dalam meningkatkan pemahaman konsep matematika melalui penggunaan permainan konkret, digital, Augmented Reality, dan AI Edu Tools, meskipun tingkat efektivitasnya berbeda antarpenelitian. Kontribusi penelitian ini terletak pada pemetaan bentuk media, kekuatan bukti empiris, serta tantangan dan research gaps, terutama terkait konsistensi pengukuran pemahaman konsep, variasi desain penelitian, karakteristik peserta didik, dan mekanisme pembelajaran dalam permainan.
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