Games in schools: half an hour a day on Nintendo improves maths skills, a Scottish study shows
For the first time, a Scottish study on the use of computer at school has found statistical evidence that playing a Nintendo brain training game improves maths skills of pupils. After a nine-week period of observations using Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima brain training game for half-an-hour a day, kids showed improved maths accuracy and speed. An improvement in interpersonal relationships between peers has been noticed as well.
This study, carried out by Learning and Teaching Scotland in partnership with the University of Dundee and HMIE, is based on a randomised controlled trial (RCT) following a previous one on small scale (three classes in Dundee, Scotland, in 2007). It involved 32 schools, four local authorities and 634 pupils in the 6th grade of primary school and lasted for a nine-week period. Two groups were set: an experimental one, where every day, five days a week for half an hour in the morning class, pupils used a Nintendo DS lite games console for a primary 6 class, and a control group, where teachers were asked not to change their routine.
The children were given pre and post tests on computation (accuracy and speed) as well as self-esteem measuring tests. The findings, as Derek Robertson and David Miller explain in their summary paper "Using Dr Kawashima's brain training in primary classrooms: a randomised controlled study", reveal statistically significant gains in both groups, but in the experimental group the mean gain was almost 50 per cent greater for accuracy (number correct) and more than twice in speed processing (time taken to complete number test) than in the control group.
In accuracy, the less competent children tended to improve more than the more able children, while in speed processing the children in the middle of the ability range improved more than those at the top or at the bottom. No gender differences have been noticed.
Other interesting outcomes are the general improvements in pupils' academic work, interpersonal relationships (children taking a supportive interest in the performance of their peers) and responsibility, as well as in self-esteem (the children believed they were 'smarter' as a result of using the Dr. Kawashima game).
For additional information:
Full summary paper "Using Dr Kawashima's brain training in primary classrooms: a randomised controlled study"
http://ltsblogs.org.uk/consolarium/files/2008/09/lts-dr-kawashima-trial-summary.pdf
Derek Robertson's blog:
http://ltsblogs.org.uk/consolarium/2008/09/25/dr-kawashima-extended-trial-summary-results/
Previous small scale study on Dr Kawashima's brain training in Scottish primary classrooms :
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ICTineducation/gamesbasedlearning/sharingpractice/braintraining/introduction.asp
Games in schools
http://www.europeanschoolnet.org/ww/en/pub/eun/projects/coordinator/games_in_schools.htm
Making the classroom a playground for learning
http://insight.eun.org/ww/en/pub/insight/school_innovation/best_practice/playground_for_learning.htm
eMapps:
http://emapps.info/