The Case for Game-Based Math Learning
The Case for Game-Based Math Learning
The Case for Game-Based Math Learning
By Rick Hess
May 267 2021
Summary
ST Math, an online program from MIND Research Institute used by more than 1.3 million P-8 students, employs a visual, gamified approach to teach math.
I recently spoke with MIND's chief data science officer Andrew Coulson, who heads evaluation of student and teacher usage and outcomes for ST Math, about the program's approach to math learning and evaluating education technology more broadly.
Rew: ST Math is a supplemental visual instructional program for students from pre-K through grade eight that leverages the brain's innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to comprehend and solve mathematical problems presented as a game.
ST Math avoids complex abstractions when a student is first encountering a math concept.
The ST Math site subscription model provides access to ST Math for the entire school population, across all grade levels, at one annual price, which starts at three-thousand five-hundred dollars annually and varies by enrollment.
Teacher reports illustrate the math each student has covered, as well as their time of use and productivity in puzzle completion.
One of our largest studies ever, which included over one-hundred-fifty thousand students, was released by independent researcher WestEd and verified by SRI. Researchers found that schools that consistently used ST Math outgrew similar schools in statewide rank by fourteen percentile points.
In my almost twenty years at MIND, I've heard so many stories like that-too many to count! One that has particularly stayed with me is about a kindergartner from D.C. public schools, a once-introverted student, who thrived since using ST Math.
Once the student reached one-hundred percent completion of ST Math early, he pivoted to sharing his expertise as a mini math coach, helping other students through struggle and success.
I love stories like this that show ST Math has value even beyond math.
Reference
Hess, R. (2021, May 27). The case for game-based math learning (opinion). Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-the-case-for-game-based-math-learning/2021/05.