Parent attitudes towards the integration of digital learning games as an alternative to traditional homework

The COVID-19 pandemic caused children to distance learn at home, but with technical and pedagogic difficulties. Digital learning games offer effective tools for pedagogic difficulties, such as active and relevant learning. Using mixed-methods research, this study examined 1) parents' perceptions about digital learning games and 21st century skills and 2) parents' attitudes towards digital learning games instead of traditional homework. The findings are based on both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (online survey) data. The results of the study revealed that parents do not object to replacing traditional homework with digital learning games. They saw digital learning games as relevant for their children's digital lives and acknowledged their potential to reduce arguments over homework. Therefore, digital learning games should be employed in school and as an alternative for traditional homework, both in routine and crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.