A Constructivist Approach to Digital Game-Based Learning: Experimental Evidence from Blooket in Moroccan EFL Classes

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the impact of Blooket, a web-based platform, on enhancing high school students’ vocabulary acquisition in the Moroccan EFL context. It also examines how this educational language tool contributes to effective classroom practices and fosters interactive learning among students. To achieve this, the study employs an experimental research design and uses the experiment as a practical data collection method. The participants included 46 Moroccan high school students from Human Sciences classes. They were divided into two groups: the control and experimental groups. The control group received traditional teaching methods, while the experimental group used Blooket-based instruction over three weeks. The findings revealed that Blooket significantly improved vocabulary retention, engagement, and motivation compared to conventional tools. Unlike the control group, participants in the experimental group scored higher and were more active in the classroom. The results also indicated that students responded positively to the integration of Blooket and valued its role in enhancing their vocabulary learning. This suggests that adopting a constructivist approach to language learning and encouraging students to actively participate in knowledge building can be effective. Therefore, it is essential to rethink our teaching practices and adapt our methodologies to align with the interests of twenty-first-century learners by emphasizing their needs for social interaction, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.