Title: The use of educational games for learning basic math skills in early classes

Authors: Sawsan Nusir; Izzat Alsmadi; Mohammed Al-Kabi; Fatima Sharadgah

Addresses: Department of Computer Information Systems, Yarmouk University, University Street, P.O. Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan ' Department of Computer Information Systems, Yarmouk University, University Street, P.O. Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan ' Faculty of Sciences and IT, Zarqa University, P.O. Box 2000, 13110 Zarqa, Jordan ' Department of Computer Information Systems, Yarmouk University, University Street, P.O. Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan

Abstract: In the evolution and availability of computer and hardware components along with the expansion of the internet, utilising those resources in education is necessary. Students, especially in early ages, need motivating approaches and techniques that may attract them to educational materials. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the ability of educational games to enhance kids' abilities to learn math skills. A programme was developed based on known cartoon characters and an experiment was conducted to assess the possible level of improvement in learning that such tools might cause. Results showed that in such math skills at this age, using multimedia programmes could be effective in getting students attention especially when cartoon characters were used. Results also showed that there was no significant difference in learning and knowledge skills and information absorption based on gender distribution where results comparison between little boys and girls showed no significant difference in their learning skills.

Keywords: multimedia; interactive learning; educational games; animation; teaching through programs; mathematics education; basic math; basic maths; maths skills; early learning; cartoon characters; young children; information absorption; learning skills; knowledge skills; information absorption; gender distribution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2013.053596

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2013 Vol.1 No.2, pp.213 - 220

Received: 30 Jul 2012
Accepted: 06 Aug 2012

Published online: 28 Feb 2014 *

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