In contemporary education, game-based learning (GBL) has become a captivating instructional method applied across various academic subjects, including mathematics. The utilization of online GBL in mathematics education constitutes a segment of the activities that mathematics educators can employ during their lessons to teach students and enhance…

Mathematical games are widely used in primary school classrooms, yet the activities that are labelled as "games" vary considerably in their structure, cognitive demands, and potential to support student reasoning. This conceptual paper offers a typology that distinguishes between pseudo-games, superficial games, gamification, and…

Students frequently struggled with the mathematizing process -- forging connections between implicit and explicit mathematical thinking -- when solving a context-rich applied problem. The current research investigated how students interact with and leverage purposively designed "mathematizing" supports when solving applied math problems…

Background: Game-based learning can frame problem-solving as a sense-making experience with domain-specific tasks for school students. However, multiple challenges arise when trying to support learners in such a complex, problem-oriented learning environment. Objectives and Methods: With an architecture-themed mathematics learning game, we…

Over the past ten years, interest in game-based learning has increased. This increase stems from the results of research that demonstrate the potential for increased mathematical learning and engagement when game-based learning was implemented. It has been noted that the most frequent way game-based learning is included in research is with drill…

Calculus is the foundation for any STEM degree, yet a large percentage of students fail calculus. Very little is known about the effect purposefully designed video games can have on STEM students studying calculus. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact a purposefully designed educational video game has on freshmen college students…

Background/purpose: This study investigated the impact of the Test Survey for Students (TSFS) software, a game-based learning intervention (GBL), on the mathematical achievement and attitudes of Qatari fourth-grade students. Materials/methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the TPACK…

Sonia Kovalevsky Days (SK Days) are nationally-held outreach events that are commonly organized by local chapters of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) to encourage young women to continue their study of mathematics. The AWM Student Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute hosted virtual renditions of SK Day for middle school girls…

The primary question of this study is whether OLM and OSLM mechanisms, when used in a digital game, offer higher motivation. Furthermore, the study investigates whether a game's aesthetics and mechanics support players' intrinsic motivation. Both claims are tested through the design, implementation and pilot use of the Multiplication Game (MG). MG…

The complex relationship between schools, parents and children surrounding mathematics homework is one that is yet to be fully resolved. In a contribution to reconfiguring mathematics homework, a take-home mathematics games kit focusing on multiplication was trialled with primary school children and their parents. Diary and interview data from…

This study investigated the effects of (1) proximal grouping of numbers; (2) problem-solving goals to make 100; and (3) prior knowledge on students' initial solution strategies in an interactive online mathematics game. In this game, students transformed an initial expression into a perceptually different but mathematically equivalent goal state.…

This study investigated the effects of: (1) proximal grouping of numbers; (2) problem-solving goals to make 100; and (3) prior knowledge on students' initial solution strategies in an interactive online mathematics game. In this game, students transformed an initial expression into a perceptually different but mathematically equivalent goal state.…

In this article, we demonstrate how playful learning serves to provide optimal learning opportunities through teacher-guided play. First, we describe the theoretical design principles that can be leveraged to support mathematical learning for students that have been underserved. Then, we provide concrete examples of evidence-based games that can…

This article describes how the authors developed the activity Speaqual to enable their students to "speak" about the "equal" sign and foster communication of their reasoning. The article explains how to play Speaqual and how the students were thoroughly engaged in a friendly competition, centralizing algebraic concepts and…

In the early years of school, pupils have a very positive approach towards any new topic. Very often, the first contact with mathematics in the Italian school risks giving a limited and somehow negative impression, generating long-lasting effects. In this paper, we report on a series of experiences carried out in a second-year class of a primary…