Poster #18 - Content Knowledge Versus Experience: Toward an Understanding of Student Hurdles During Game Play in Math Learning

• In Event: 77.059 - MTCC Tuesday Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: 77.059-2 - Game-Based Learning Environments and Elements of Gamification

Abstract

This study investigates how we can effectively predict students struggling (through hurdles) within a game-based environment for learning. Our sample of 1,469 students from K-5th grade interacted with a game-based environment for math learning, ST Math, in the Fall and Winter of SY 2017-2018. Predictive models that include math achievement score before gameplay (pre-test) and a variety of game actions (learning objectives covered, number of game levels attempted, game level score, puzzles passed on first attempt, etc.) are analyzed. Using decision tree analyses, the results indicate that behavior within game-based environments are not necessarily driven solely by their math content knowledge. Instead a more holistic view of the learning experience is needed to inform behavioral patterns within digital learning systems.

Authors

• Maria Ofelia San Pedro, ACT, Inc.

• Andrew Coulson, MIND Research Institute