September 2007 — News
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Serious Gaming: 'Learn Math or Die Trying'
In Dimenxian, students can play alone or compete with each other to collect "power balls," neutralize others--"We don't call it shooting," Hall said--and subsequently move the balls onto a grid. In the process, students learn algebra concepts that, Hall said, are challenging to teach to eight-graders at best.
One interesting aspect of using the game in class, Hall said: The noise level drops to almost nothing. "When we played Dimenxian, there was complete silence, except for ... an occasional 'wa-hoo!'" she said. "It was the most manageable class ever."
The district was careful about explaining the gaming approach to parents before launching the software in the classroom. Riverwatch Middle School Principal Terri North held meetings with parents to discuss the approach and invited parents to the school to see it in action. In the end, parents were fine with the product, Hall said.
When using Dimenxian was proposed, Hall admitted, even she had trouble getting past the "game" moniker. But her first experience convinced her that students could quickly learn important concepts from the software.
This year, as instructional technology specialist at a different school, she is introducing Evolver. It's a new game from Tabula Digita that introduces more pre-algebra and algebra concepts than Dimenxian, including decimals, percents, fractions, square roots, prime numbers, and greatest common factors.
Another way the software has surprised Hall: the amount of teamwork it inspires. Students can play together in groups and could eventually even play other classes, district schools, or schools in other states. Last December, Hall said, a team of four students from Forsyth County played a team from an Orlando school.
The teamwork seems to evolve by itself, Hall said. "It might be students that you've never think of working together." Other skills the software teaches, she said, include thinking quickly, working together, and making decisions with consequences.
The way Hall said she sees it, technology and students fit together naturally. "This is their world," she said.
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About the author: Linda L. Briggs is a freelance writer based in San Diego, CA.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
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