THE EFFECTS OF PLAYING ONLINE GAME ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADE 6 PUPILS

Abstract

The study explores the effect of online gaming on the academic performance of Grade 6 students at Immaculada Concepcion College, responding to the increasing concerns about the influence of digital activities on children's education. Using a quantitative correlational research approach, the study surveyed 47 students to examine the link between gaming habits and academic success. The findings revealed no significant correlation between online gaming and academic performance, with most students achieving high academic results despite varying gaming behaviors. However, the study also identified differences in gaming habits across different demographic groups. The research underscores the need for balanced approaches, including parental supervision and responsible digital engagement, to ensure that students manage their screen time effectively. The study’s insights can aid educators, parents, and policymakers in promoting a healthy relationship between digital activities and academic achievement. This chapter outlines the essential elements of the research methodology, which include the research design, population and sampling techniques, participant involvement, data collection methods, tool validation, and the analysis of quantitative data. The study employed a quantitative correlational approach to explore the relationship between online gaming time and academic performance, drawing on Gentile's findings that excessive gaming can be associated with poorer academic outcomes. Data was gathered through surveys, where questionnaires were distributed to participants to collect a range of responses. These methods ensure that the study offers a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between online gaming habits and students' academic performance. The study investigating the effects of online gaming on the academic performance of 47 sixth-grade students at Immaculada Concepcion College, consisting of 32 girls and 15 boys, revealed that the students average academic scores ranged between 90 and 95. This suggests a need for further exploration into the relationship between digital engagement and academic achievement, with some indications that online games could foster creativity in academic work. However, the data showed significant variations in how online gaming impacted academic performance, ultimately concluding that there was no significant correlation between the amount of time spent on online gaming and the student's academic outcomes. This chapter offers a detailed exploration of the research methodology, outlining key components such as research design, population and sampling strategies, participant involvement, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, tool validation, and quantitative data analysis. The focus of the study is the impact of online gaming on the academic performance of Grade 6 students, a topic of growing concern among researchers, parents, and educators in response to the increasing prevalence of online games. By employing a quantitative correlational research approach, this study seeks to understand how gaming behaviors might relate to students' academic success.