Effects of Action Video Game Play on Arithmetic Problem-Solving

• In Event: Game-Based Learning Environments

Abstract

This experimental study investigated the short-term effects of action video game (AVG) training on arithmetic performance and their persistence over time. Additionally, it examined group differences between experienced and novice AVGers. Twenty-nine college students without a prior AVG experience were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups: AVG and non-AVG. After a 40 min of video game training, the non-AVG group’s arithmetic performance increased, while the AVG group’s performance decreased, thus suggesting a possibility of short-term effects of a non-AVG on arithmetic performance. These effects did not persist over time and both groups showed higher arithmetic performance on a delayed posttest. Implications for investigating the game mechanics and transfer mechanism between the game and transfer task are discussed.

Author

• Elena Novak, Kent State University