Which is better for learning: a web-based educational application or an educational game?

Abstract

Last decade, the integration of information and telecommunication technologies into education has changed the processes of teaching and learning. There are many formats of educational applications that range from simple online tutorials, tests and drill and practice software to integrated web-based educational applications and educational games. So, the following question arises: Which kind of educational software and applications is the most effective and suitable? For answering the above question, in this paper, we present a comparative evaluation between a web-based educational application and an educational game that teach the programming language HTML. Both applications include the same learning material. A group of learners used the two applications for experimental evaluation. We observed and recorded the learners' reactions, preferences and opinions. The observation-experimental data from the usage of the two applications help us to conclude about the educational application that is more likable, offers motivation and engages learners in a higher degree to the learning process. The evaluation results are presented and discussed..