Mrs. Breedlove's Class

Mrs. Breedlove's Story

As part of our NSF grant Arcademics teamed with schools in the Olathe KS USD 233, including Mrs. Breedlove's class, to conduct a pilot study with our games. Twenty-eight students played the games, six students were the control group using flash cards. Each student was given the pre-test of 20 multiplication questions and 7 survey questions. The game group then played our multiplication video games for a week, then took the post test. The control group worked with flash cards for a week then took the same post test. Results from both post tests were compared. The pre and post tests were the same, comprised of an equal number of easy, medium, and hard questions from our IRT calibration. The game students and control students received the same in-class instruction when they were not playing the games.

Findings
  • 1.8% increase in percent correct compared to flashcards*
  • 26% improvement in rate (how quickly a student correctly answers the problem) compared to flash cards
  • 80% of students improved their rate scores
  • 9% improvement of percent correct in students who scored below 80% in the pre-test

"When I've done flash cards, they aren't in to it. This is more fun and colorful for them. I can tell they are wanting to learn their facts faster to beat each other as a challenge."

- Mrs. Breedlove

* The pilot study was administered at the end of the school year - students had mastered subject items before the pre-test, so improvements in percent correct were not expected.

What Are Teachers Saying?

When I've done flash cards, they aren't in to it. This is more fun and colorful for them. I can tell they are wanting to learn their facts faster as a challenge.
Mrs. Breedlove
Success Story
Aligning the joy of gaming with practicing math transforms the experience and invites students to learn in an environment they are comfortable with.
Mr. Sprankle
Success Story
Many of the students play video games all the time at home. This was a way to let them enjoy their playing time but to practice a skill at the same time.
Mrs. Smeltz
Success Story
The math games have improved the student's grades in timed tests and have boosted the student's confidence in their math abilities.
Mr. White
Success Story