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NSF SBIR Phase I Pilot Study
Olathe KS USD 233 www.olatheschools.com
Apr 19-28th, 2010
Quick Overview
Arcademics recently teamed with schools in the Olathe KS USD 233 to conduct a pilot study with our games. Twenty-eight students played the games, six students were the control group using flash cards. Each student was given the pre-test of 20 multiplication questions and 7 survey questions. The game group then played our multiplication video games for a week, then took the post test. The control group worked with flash cards for a week then took the same post test. Results from both post tests were compared. The pre and post tests were the same, comprised of an equal number of easy, medium, and hard questions from our IRT calibration. The game students and control students received the same in-class instruction when they were not playing the games.
Findings
1.8%: increase in percent correct compared to flashcards*
26%: improvement in rate (how quickly a student correctly answers the problem) compared to flash cards
80%: of students improved their rate scores
9%: improvement of percent correct in students who scored below 80% in the pre-test
* the pilot study was administered at the end of the school year - students had mastered subject items before the pre-test, so improvements in percent correct were not expected.
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| "Using flash cards can be boring. Some students don't put any motivation into it. With Arcademic games they were so excited - we went over ten minutes late today because everyone was so involved with the games." - Ms. Hess, Washington Elementary, Olathe KS |
"When I've done flash cards, they aren't in to it. This is more fun and colorful for them. I can tell they are wanting to learn their facts faster to beat each other as a challenge." - Ms. Breedlove, Fairview Elementary, Olathe KS |
More Success Stories
"Many of the students play video games all the time at home. This was a way to let them enjoy their playing time, but to practice a skill at the same time."
- Mrs. Smeltz's success story in Lititz, PA.
"Aligning the joy of gaming with practicing math facts clearly helps transform the experience and invites students to learn in an environment they are not only comfortable with but would seek out given the choice."
- Mr. Sprankle's success story in Wells, ME.
"The students love this. They get so excited. Several of my students would rather stay inside at recess to play the games instead of going outside."
- Mrs. Kido's success story in Topeka, KS.
"The math activities on your site have improved the students performance grades in classroom timed tests and have boosted the students confidence in their math abilities."
- Mr. White's success story in New Baltimore, MI.
Teacher Success
"Many of the students play video games all the time at home. This was a way to let them enjoy their playing time, but to practice a skill at the same time."
- Mrs. Smeltz's success story in Lititz, PA.
"Aligning the joy of gaming with practicing math facts clearly helps transform the experience and invites students to learn in an environment they are not only comfortable with but would seek out given the choice."
- Mr. Sprankle's success story in Wells, ME.
"The math activities on your site have improved the students performance grades in classroom timed tests and have boosted the students confidence in their math abilities."
- Mr. White's success story in New Baltimore, MI.
"The students love this. They get so excited. Several of my students would rather stay inside at recess to play the games instead of going outside."
- Mrs. Kido's success story in Topeka, KS.