feedback from what they do. It can be positive, such as appraisal, or negative, like rejection. In this study, feedback is essential to provide the learners with the
ability to analyze and later overcome problems happening during their learning process.
2.1.2 Educational Games
During the learning process, motivation leads to the success of the learning. However, learning in classroom is considered as boring and not
motivating to learners. Therefore, games are developed to create different learning atmosphere. For this reason, educational games are created to give more
motivation to learners during their learning process. In this part, the discussion about educational games is elaborated.
2.1.2.1 Definition of Educational Games
Educational games combine education and games to create different atmosphere in teaching learning process. Education is divided into many different
disciplines. Therefore, different games are created to help learners learn different subjects. However, games in education are not always educational. Below is the
illustration of educational games and games in education.
= Games in education = Educational games
Figure 2.2 Venn Diagram Illustrating Educational Games
The figure above shows that games are used in education, but not always educational. They can be educational if it is prepared and conducted
educationally. Educational games exist to assist the learning through a more fun way.
They bring joy as well as knowledge. Through educational games, learners are thought to be aware of the meaning and intrinsic value of the games.
An educational game, designed for learning, is a separation of both play and fun. Prensky 2001 mentions that an educational game is a melding of
educational content, learning principles, and computer games. It is organized to provide both education and pleasure. Playing relaxes people, putting them in a
accessible state for learning. Besides, it helps the learners to experience and explore more knowledge they can acquire during the game playing.
Games in education Educational games
EDUCATION GAMES
Another definition is from Allery 2004:40 who defines educational game as a competitive activity with a prescribed setting, constrained by rules and
procedures in which the learning results from playing the game and not from the academic content. Rules and procedures limit the exploration of the learners to
interact and behave when playing. However, through the limitation, the goal of the game should still be achieved. Therefore, learners should find out the solution
to this problem. Meanwhile, Sanchez, et al. 2007:65 define educational game as a way
in which learners get repeated exposure to an aspect of language without being boring. As a result, games create a fun atmosphere of English teaching and
learning. Based on the previous theories, in this study, an educational game is
defined as an activity containing educational content and learning principles to create fun and lovely atmosphere during the teaching learning process, but limited
by rules and procedures in the implementation. However, the implementation of educational games in teaching English language depends on the characteristics of
the participants of the study and objectives to be achieved in this study.
2.1.2.2 Characteristics of Educational Games
A game cannot be mentioned as educational just because it gives new knowledge to the learners. Nonetheless, Biocchi 2012 argues that an educational
game has to be able to help the learners develop their characteristics. Besides, it also offers some sort of social interaction in order to help the development of the
