Cooperative Game-Based Learning in Primary School: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design

Within the PRIN PNRR 2022 PYRAMID project, this paper reports a pre-post quasi-experimental study on cooperative Game-Based Learning in an Italian primary school. Forty-nine grade 4-5 students participated (experimental n = 22, control n = 27). In groups of 5-6, the experimental condition combined Nintendo Labo Variety Kit construction and cooperative play with Cooperative Learning principles (Johnson et al., 1986); controls completed cooperative card activities with the same timing. Pre- and post-tests were the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (Torrance, 1966), a Cooperative Learning Questionnaire, and Active Simultaneous Matrices (Mammarella et al., 2008). Student circle time and teacher interviews describe strong engagement and peer support.