Abstract:    The aim is to develop online resources to support students in rural schools to be able to make computer games using Game Maker software. GameMaker games themselves are not maths based in the sense of being actual games to teach skills or drills in mathematics, but there is a significant amount of mathematics required to use the software to build a game, for example, coordinate systems, trigonometric functions, algebra & variables, vectors, etc.  There are also significant skills in logic and problem solving that are required.  It is, of course, also possible for the kids to make games that actually demonstrate particular mathematical understandings or teach maths drills to younger students, though I'm often not sure that games of this type are particularly beneficial either to the maker or the user. Student motivation and engagement in learning should increase, and students should begin to make connections between the mathematics that they are learning in mainstream classes and a real world application that interests them.  It should also reinforce and strengthen concepts and ideas from their regular classes.

The questions considered are the following.

·        In what ways do programming computer games improve student outcomes in mathematics?

·        How easily can students follow the project output learning resources independently?

·        Can games programming improve motivation in mathematics classes?

·        How do teachers respond to this non traditional approach?

CONTACT: Margaret Meijers [margaret.meijers@education.tas.gov.au] New Town High School

Other files are available about this project: