http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/256239
Posted Jun 17, 2008 by Nathalie Caron

Math Video Game Shown to Improve Student Scores


Photo courtesy DimensionM
DimensionM describes itself as "an immersive video game world that engages students in the instruction and learning of mathematics. Pre-algebra and algebra objectives are covered through a series of missions that bring math into a world that today's students understand."
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The study which was directed by UCF professor Atsusi Hirumi and a team of faculty and graduate students, interviewed 193 high school students and 10 teachers from Orange County.

Results showed that the students who played the games scored much higher on district benchmark exams than those who had not. The increase for the test group was more than double the increase of the control group (8.07 points versus 3.74). This trend is said to be consistent with prior empirical research on the effects of math games.

The games' presentation is made to look like mainstream action games. Making use of the a first-person perspective, students enter 3-D reality-based environments to complete various missions using different math skills along the way. The games also allow for single or multiplayer game play.

"This game really has helped me a lot with my geometry skills,” explains LeWahn Wallace, a student. β€œIt's not just an educational tutor which is very boring. It's a game to complete an obstacle course so that you're not just learning you are also having fun at the same time."

"We are teaching a new generation of students, which requires unconventional teaching strategies be put into practice in the classroom. And when schools use our games, the student benefits speak for themselves - a greater desire to learn and higher test score,” said Ntiedo Etuk, CEO and co-founder of Tabula Digita.

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