Researchers Study Effects of Educational Games on Math Achievement -- THE Journal

eLearningWeb

Researchers Study Effects of Educational Games on Math Achievement

By Scott Aronowitz
04/06/09

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

Do educational video games have an impact on students' ongoing achievement in mathematics? Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington are studying just how effective a learning tool games really are.

The study, being conducted by instructors at the university's Watson School of Education, will involve 500 students and 15 teachers, trainers, and administrators from four middle schools located in eastern North Carolina. The educational standards-based video games used in the study are part of the DimensionM series from ed tech developer Tabula Digita. Comparable in some ways to many games designed primarily for entertainment, they offer graphics, sound effects, storylines, and multiple levels, but with the added component of middle school level math problems, including algebra, that challenge and test the players' skill and build understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts being presented.

"We hope our research will serve to explain further how playing serious, high quality, interactive games influences mathematics achievement and self-efficacy in math," said Albert Ritzhaupt, assistant professor in the Watson School of Education and leader of the study. "Equally important will be to gain a greater understanding of how students react to and interact with gaming in the classroom and how teachers respond to those unique student actions."

Ritzhaupt, who teaches a course in instructional technology at UNC-W entitled Games, Simulations, and Virtual Worlds, specializes in the relationship between technology and education. The DimensionM study is set to run until the end of May, and Ritzhaupt plans to release his team's results later this summer.

About the Author

Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

Classroom Furniture Giveaway Seeks Dream Learning Space Design

Educators have a chance to design their ideal K-12 learning space in a contest recently announced by classroom furniture manufacturer KI.
Dyslexic Reading App to Expand to U.S., Wins OpenAI Prize

KOBI, a new reading app for dyslexic learners from Slovenian ed tech company Hopalai, is the winner of the inaugural OpenAI Learning Impact Prize.
Research Teams to Explore and Scale Tech-Supported Learning Approaches

A new network of technology, school systems, and researchers is forming to "better understand and scale innovative learning acceleration approaches" and improve student outcomes.
California Passes AI Safety Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature

California lawmakers have approved a bill that would impose new restrictions on AI technologies, potentially setting a national precedent for regulating the rapidly evolving field. The legislation, known as S.B. 1047, now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. He has until the end of September to decide whether to sign it into law.