APPLICATION OF LEGO BRICKS IN GEOGRAPHY TEACHING AS AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR ACTIVE LEARNING

Abstract

This paper presents the application and comparison of different teaching approaches in geography education. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of LEGO bricks as an innovative teaching method, aimed at improving students’ engagement, understanding, and active participation in the learning process. The aim of the research is to examine how the use of interactive, visual, and game-based teaching strategies affects students’ motivation, interest, and academic achievement.The research was conducted at Primary School “Vojdan Chernodrinski” – Skopje, with eighth-grade students. Data were collected through direct pedagogical observation, analysis of student evaluation sheets, and teacher reflection. A mixed-methods research approach was applied, enabling the integration of qualitative and quantitative data in order to provide a more objective understanding of the effects of the implemented teaching activities.The results indicate that students demonstrate a higher level of interest, active participation, and improved understanding when engaged in practical, visual, and game-based activities. A large proportion of students actively participated in group work and evaluated the lessons positively. The analysis, based on the comparison of the two teaching approaches, shows that hands-on work with LEGO models and teamwork stand out as key factors for increased engagement and active participation.Additionally, a student survey was conducted to analyze their perceptions of the interest and effectiveness of the implemented teaching activities. The results showed that the majority of students (23 out of 26) rated the lesson conducted using LEGO bricks as very interesting and clear. The analysis confirms that practical work with LEGO models and collaborative learning are key factors in enhancing engagement and participation. Furthermore, the game-based approach contributes to students perceiving the lessons as more interesting, dynamic, and easier to understand.The findings confirm that innovative teaching methods contribute to a more dynamic and effective learning process, as well as increased student engagement and motivation. Moreover, the same approach was applied with students from other grades in similar teaching contexts, where consistent positive results were observed, confirming its applicability across different educational settings. Based on the obtained results, it is recommended that teachers incorporate more interactive, visual, and student-centered activities, including game-based approaches, into their teaching practice in order to improve learning outcomes, maintain students’ attention, and promote deeper and more long-lasting knowledge acquisition.