Validation of a Model of life skills curriculum based on game-based learning approach (gamification) in elementary schools

The aim of the present study is to validate the life skills curriculum based on the game-based learning approach in primary schools. This study was carried out with a sequential exploratory approach using a combined method. The selection of participants in the qualitative section was done using purposive sampling method and theoretical saturation criterion. the statistical population of this study includes all primary school teachers in Mazandaran province (n=11760). The research sample contained 372 individuals who were selected via multi-stage relative cluster sampling. The data collection tools were semi-structured interviews and in the quantitative section the researcher-made questionnaire. Content validity was used to determine the validity of the questionnaires and composite reliability was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaires, which indicated appropriate indexes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyze the data using SPSS and AMOS software. The results showed that the components of purpose, content, teaching method and evaluation are effective in explaining the pattern of life skills curriculum based on the game-based learning approach. The current status of the target variable, content, teaching method is below average and the evaluation variable is above average. And the model has a good fit.