Exploring the gender-based impact of mathematical games on the academic performance of senior secondary school students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38140/ijss-2024.vol4.10

Keywords:

Academic performance , secondary school students, mathematical games, gender-based impact

Abstract

Playing mathematical games helps many senior secondary school students, especially girls, acquire basic mathematical skills. However, it can be difficult. Thus, this study examined how gender-related mathematical gameplay affects the performance of secondary school students. The study design was quasi-experimental. A sample of fifty senior secondary school students from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria's Abuja Council Area was purposively chosen. The researcher randomly allocated intact classes to the experimental and control groups using a coin toss. The students' achievement level was determined by an algebraic achievement test administered before and after the treatment. T-tests, means, and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that female students had a higher mean score than male students when playing mathematics games. The findings imply that mathematical games enhance mathematics teaching and learning and should be encouraged and used by teachers to introduce concepts in mathematics to students, regardless of their gender, at different levels.

References

Aduwa, J. (2021). Mathematics teaching and learning processes in secondary schools in Nigeria: challenges and prospects. International Journal of Research in Education and Sustainable Development, 1(6), 2782–7666. https://doi.org/10.46654

Akanmu, M. A., & Adeniyi, C. O. (2021). Effects Of Mathematical Games on Senior Secondary Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics in Ejigbo, Osun State, Nigeria. ATTARBAWIY: Malaysian Online Journal of Education, 5(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.53840/attarbawiy.v5i1.1

Al-Khateeb, M. A. (2019). Effect of mobile gaming on mathematical achievement among 4th graders. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(7), 4–7. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i07.10315

Alsadoon, E., Alkhawajah, A., & Suhaim, A. Bin. (2022). Effects of a gamified learning environment on students’ achievement, motivations, and satisfaction. Heliyon, 8(8), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10249

Anokye-Poku, D., & Ampadu, E. (2020). Gender differences in attitudes and achievement in mathematics among Ghanaian JHS Students. International Journal of Education, 12(3), 84-95. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v12i3.17136

Ayebale, L., Habaasa, G., & Tweheyo, S. (2020). Factors affecting students’ achievement in mathematics in secondary schools in developing countries: A rapid systematic. Statistical Journal of the IAOS, 36(S1), S73–S76. https://doi.org/10.3233/sji-200713

Bajwa, N. P., & Perry, M. (2021). Features of a pan balance that may support students’ developing understanding of mathematical equivalence. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 23(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10986065.2020.1700587

Brown, C., Pikhurko, O., Schmitt, J. R., & Warrington, G. S. (2020). Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of Mathematical Games on Students' Attitudes and Performance in Mathematics. Educational Psychology Review, 35(4), 567-582. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12347

Buser, T., & Yuan, H. (2019). Do women give up competing more easily? Evidence from the Lab and the Dutch Math Olympiad. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11(3), 225–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/1026483.2019.1423672

Chiang, T. C., Stephen, J. H. Y., & Chengjiu Y. (2019). Effect of gender differences on 3-on-3 basketball games taught in a mobile flipped classroom. Interactive Learning Environments 27(8), 1093–1105. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1495652

Deng, L., Wu, S., Chen, Y., & Peng, Z. (2020). Digital game-based learning in a Shanghai high-school mathematics class: A case study. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 36(5), 709–717. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12438

Dimosthenous, A., Leonidas K., Anastasia, P., Daner, S., Ying, Z., Zhi H., W., & Yuqin, Y. (2021). Short- and long-term effects of the home learning environment and teachers on student achievement in mathematics: A longitudinal study. Research in Science and Technological Education 31 (3). 54–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1674888

Ekmekci, A., & Serrano, D. M. (2022). The Impact of Teacher Quality on Student Motivation, Achievement, and Persistence in Science and Mathematics. Education Sciences, 12(10), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100649

Ellison, G., & Swanson, A. (2023). Dynamics of the Gender Gap in High Math Achievement. The Journal of Human Resources, 4 (1), 1–33.

Esperanza, P. J., Celbert H., Miriam B., Egberto S., & Lanndon, O. (2023). The Utility of a Flipped Classroom in Secondary Mathematics Education. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology 54 (3), 382–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2021.1957166

Go, M., Golbin Jr, R., Velos, S., Dayupay, J., Dionaldo, W., Cababat, F., ... & Ocampo, L. (2024). Evaluating digital mathematical games in improving the basic mathematical skills of university students. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 55(4), 899-921.https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2022.2089604

Gök, M. (2020). Mathematical Mystery in a Cultural Game. World Journal of Education, 10(6), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v10n6p64

Hursen, C., & Bas, C. (2019). Use of gamification applications in science education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i01.8894

Karamert, Ö., & Kuyumcu, V. A. (2021). The effect of gamification on young mathematics learners’ achievements and attitudes. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 4(2), 96–114. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.904704

Korkmaz, S., Cetin-Dindar, A., & Oner, F. K. (2023). Impact of educational game development on students’ achievement and attitudes toward science. Journal of Educational Research, 116(5), 268–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2023.2265852

Lee, S., (2019). Gender differences in response to mathematical games: A comparative study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 42(3), 321–335.

Liang, Y., Lijin, Z., Yang, L., Qian, D., & Yujuan, L. (2020). Promoting effects of RtI-based mathematical play training on number sense growth among low-SES preschool children. Early Education and Development 31(3). 335–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2019.1664261

Liu, C., & Hwang, G. J. (2023). Roles and research trends of touchscreen mobile devices in early childhood education: Review of journal publications from 2010 to 2019 based on the technology-enhanced learning model. Interactive learning environments, 31(3), 1683-1702.. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1855210

Maadi, M. A., (2022). Pedagogy and curriculum skills at the intermediate stage in Kuwait. The International Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum, 29(1), 101–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7963/CGP/v29i01/101-118

Matthies, M., Berlekamp, J., Koormann, F., Wagner, J. O. (2001). Georeferenced regional simulation and aquatic exposure assessment. Water Science and Technology, 43(7), 231-238. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2001.0430

Moon, J., & Ke, F. (2020). In-game actions to promote game-based math learning engagement. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 58(4), 863–885. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633119878611

Morgan, B. M., Garcia, C., & Jauregui, J. (2019). Teacher candidate immersion into bilingual/ dual language classrooms in the largest urban district in Texas. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 7(5), 1247–1254. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2019.070510

Murray, M., Kalejaiye, A. O., Chima, Z. I., Gaba, G. U., & Ademosu, A. O. (2008). New general mathematics new general maths for Nigeria series. Pearson Education Limited.

National Mathematical Centre (2023). Mathematical games for secondary schools. Abuja. Marvellous Mike Press Limited.

Nicol, A. A. (2017). Using gaming to make statistics fun. College Teaching, 65(1), 40-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2016.1222576

Noah, O. O. (2019). Effect of computer game-based instructional strategy on students’ learning outcome in mathematics. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 29(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.9734/jesbs/2019/v29i430113

Ogunkola, B., & Knight, C. (2019). Technical drawing course, video games, gender, and type of school on spatial ability. Journal of Educational Research, 112(5), 575–589. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2019.1592092

Oliweh, I. S., & Oyem, I. M. (2021). Gender differential mathematics achievement of students in selected senior secondary schools in Delta State, Nigeria. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, 46(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1181/11331782.2021.1481181

Rigelman, N., & Chandra, L. (2023). Leveraging Mathematics Teacher Leaders in Support of Student and Teacher Learning. Investigations in Mathematics Learning, 15(1). 85–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/19477503.2022.2140989

Salami, O. O. (2024). A flipped classroom applied: Undergraduate students’ perception in mathematics. Mathematics Education Journals, 8(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.22219/mej.v8i1.29636

Sam-Kayode, C. O., & Salman, M. F. (2022). Effect of Ludo Game on Senior School Students’ Performance in Probability. The Journal of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria, 40(1), 51–62.

Shah, N. H., Nazir, N., Arshad, M., Akhter, K., Shaheen, A. K., Younas, S., & Ghazanfar, F. (2023). Effect of students' attitude towards mathematics on their mathematical achievement at secondary school level. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(12), 178–192. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i12.38765

Singh, P., Hoon, T. S., Md Nasir, A., Md Ramly, A., Md Rasid, S., & Meng, C. C. (2021). Card games as a pedagogical tool for numeracy skills development. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 10(2),693–705. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v10i2.20722

Slavin, R. E., Cheung, A. C. K., & Zhuang, T. (2021). How could evidence-based reform advance education? ECNU Review of Education, 4(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/2096531120976060

Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2018). The Impact of Mathematical Games on Students' Performance in Mathematics. Journal of Mathematics Education, 25(2), 123–137.

Spencer, S. J. (2016). Stereotype threat. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 415-437

West African Examination Council Examiners' Report (2020-2023). Senior school certificate examinations (May/June). West African Examination Council.

Yeh, C. Y., Cheng, H. N., Chen, Z. H., Liao, C. C., & Chan, T. W. (2019). Enhancing achievement and interest in mathematics learning through Math-Island. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 14, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/S41039-019-0100-9

Published

2024-06-05

How to Cite

Salami, O. O., & Spangenberg, E. D. (2024). Exploring the gender-based impact of mathematical games on the academic performance of senior secondary school students. Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies, 4, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.38140/ijss-2024.vol4.10