Using Digital Game-Based Learning in Mathematics Education: A Case Study with Teacher Training Students

Abstract

Using game-based learning (GBL) and digital game-based learning (DGBL) as a teaching and learning environment can be a pedagogical resource and a good strategy in the classroom to support mathematical learning (Santos et al.,2023). Even though primary school teachers are demonstrating strong preferences for using non-digital games instead of digital games to support mathematics instruction, much of the research review literature has focused on learning outcomes associated with digital mathematical games (Russo et al., 2024). In this paper, I conduct a quasi-experiment using an empirical action research method and the same logical problem-solving environment–game-based or digital game-based learning–that I designed and used with two groups of pre-service teacher university students. I tested three digital games with their non-digital equivalent and observed the problem solvers primarily from a qualitative point of view. Most of the participants enjoyed working with both physical cards and digital games, which effectively engaged students in solving the tasks. My findings suggest that students found the task-solving enjoyable in both types of game-based learning and that solving tasks non-digitally with cards could be more flexible for the problem solvers.