INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES FOR CRITICAL THINKING: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EDUCATIONAL GAMES AND CONCEPT CHECKING QUESTIONS IN MOROCCO

This research examines the impact of educational games and Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) on the enhancement of critical thinking abilities in middle school pupils in Morocco. The study, conducted at TAZI School in Casablanca, compared two student groups: one group experienced new teaching strategies, such as educational games and CCQs, while the other got conventional instruction. The findings indicated that students using educational games and Concept Checking Questions exhibited notable improvement in their critical thinking skills, whereas those in the conventional training cohort saw a deterioration. These results emphasize the need to use interactive, student-centered pedagogical approaches to improve cognitive development and engagement in Moroccan education. The research emphasizes the possibility of using creative and inquiry-based methodologies, such as educational games and Concept Checking Questions, to enhance critical thinking among middle school students, providing significant insights for educators seeking to refine classroom procedures.