Exploring Game Behavior, Scaffolding, and Learning Mathematics in Digital Game-Based Learning Apps on Children

Abstract

Background: Due to the increasing growth of the use of digital learning in schools, the rate of young students' use of educational digital games has also increased. Digital game-based learning (DGBL) includes various features. Each user may be attracted to certain features of each game due to their individual characteristics. However, it is not clear how individual differences and teachers' scaffolding can affect learners' learning responses to learning-based digital games. Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore game behavior, scaffolding, and improving learning mathematics in DGBL apps for children. Methods: This study has examined Khan Academy as a DGBL application in mathematics subject in the virtual school classroom. The interview method is a qualitative case study. A total of 21 young students at the primary level in Iran participated in this (ages 6-8). The presence of the teacher with the students during the learning of mathematics and its effect has been analyzed. From two types of scaffolding, the presence of the teacher in the classroom was considered one by one and the whole class. Both types of scaffolding had an effect on students' learning. Results: The results of the data analysis indicated that users with high experience in cooperation and increasing social skills had better progress and higher socialization than users with low experience. This is in case the less experienced users have paid more attention to the learning concepts in the game. Conclusion: Thus, the teachers' scaffolding enabled students to discover their interest in mathematics more independently and to be more motivated and active to solve problems. The findings of this research can be helpful for framework designers in the field of children’s behavior in designing games based on learning.