Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Religio board game in developing the social skills necessary for cohabitation in a multicultural society among grade 9 students, with a particular focus on communication, respect for rights, and acceptance of diversity. Additionally, it examined changes in these dimensions before and after gameplay to develop strategies for enhancing learning in multicultural environments.

A quasi-experimental research design was employed, involving a sample of 25 students selected through voluntary sampling. The findings indicated that the Religio board game was highly effective in fostering social skills, as expert evaluations yielded an average score of 4.88, reflecting a high level of effectiveness. Significant improvements were observed in acceptance of diversity (pre-test mean = 2.64, post-test mean = 4.00, p < 0.001). However, no significant changes were found in respect for rights (pre-test mean = 4.64, post-test mean = 4.76, p = 0.600), likely because of the school’s strong emphasis on this aspect.

This study highlights the potential of game-based learning as an innovative tool to enhance social skills in multicultural settings. Qualitative findings further revealed improvements in peaceful communication, empathy, and respect for cultural diversity, demonstrating the game’s capacity to foster intercultural understanding. Additionally, students applied non-violent communication (NVC) strategies, including attentive listening, avoiding competitive arguments, and seeking fact-based solutions. Significant improvements were also observed in students’ knowledge of world religions (pre-test mean = 3.72, post-test mean = 4.44, p = 0.002).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.