Boosting Mathematics Achievement with Game-Based Learning
Authors: Setiawan Adib Rifqi 
Published: June 2022

Boosting Mathematics Achievement with Game-Based LearningSchools are under pressure to lift educational performance and graduation rates for all students, meaning every student needs to have access to the resources and educational rigor they need — particularly as many students continue to struggle at the elementary and early secondary grade level in mathematics. Striving learners need to be supported with equitable instruction that provides enrichment, remediation, and intensive intervention. Most schools employ multi-level systems of support to afford the differentiated mathematics instruction required to address the diversity of skills in numeracy for all students entering the class. Math curricula must incorporate strong evidence-based, supplemental intervention curriculum programs so each student is well prepared for success in secondary math. Containing a variety of multi-modal resources, a supplemental math intervention program can be implemented with any core instruction model and should accommodate various learning and expression styles to support the needs of a diverse student population. The best programs align to regular instructional models and enable teacher-led, independent learning. The game-based and interactive approaches to math instruction engage learners and provide educators with easy-to-implement tools to ensure equitable access to mathematical concepts and application. According to Fadhilaturrahmi, the most effective learning environments combine verbal and non-verbal representations of knowledge and use a combination of visual and auditory inputs. Thus, we endorses the inclusion of visual and graphic depictions of problems as one of several key strategies to support struggling learners. Accompanying these different modalities, it is important that educators also provide students with opportunities for interactive, visual learning. One way to increase visual learning is by leveraging purposeful game play to engage students and build their understanding of critical math skills. As the leading research recommends, games should be incorporated into instruction, together with other methods of instruction such as explicit teacher-driven modeling, and student-driven guided practice. For learners who approach math with difficulty or discomfort, math games provide a more engaging context for introducing and practicing new skills. In other words, the impact on motivation and engagement alone can explain much of the positive impact from games. Games provide students with opportunities to drive their own learning, develop problem solving skills, and receive immediate feedback, encouraging productive struggle and persistence in the face of temporary setbacks, according to Nasichatul Ummah. It is also important for students to have opportunities for hands-on, tactile learning in the math classroom. Educators can use manipulatives and concrete examples to develop each learner’s understanding across a continuum of concrete, representational and abstract reasoning skills. Manipulatives can be used both in physical form and through digital applications. When students are provided these learning opportunities involving manipulatives, combined with game-based learning experiences, throughout my experience, they often report higher levels of interest in math.