*1.4. Research Questions*

Building upon previous research, we attempted to create an original learning environment by introducing game design and gameplay in the learning process. Our main objective was to study whether an adapted version of Monopoly integrated in the learning process would affect students' understanding of the relations contained in the game data and improve their academic performance and interest. More specifically, we wanted to identify whether:


Then, we created the following hypotheses:

**Hypothesis 1 (H1):** *Students who played the game performed better (i.e., received higher scores) than those who attended class.*

**Hypothesis 2 (H2):** *There is no significant di*ff*erence in academic performance between boys and girls.*

**Hypothesis 3 (H3):** *Students who were interested in the game performed better.*

**Hypothesis 4 (H4):** *Geopoly results in increased interest in geography more than traditional teaching does.*

Taking into consideration all findings above, we wanted to further explore the impact of our game's digital version in students' interest. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were closed, and students continued their lessons remotely, so they played the digital game at home and filled out an online questionnaire.
