About the Study

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass), in collaboration with public schools in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, is leading an innovative study to explore the effects of embodied digital games on math learning outcomes. The study will investigate how an embodied version of the successful Decimal Point game compares to a traditional sit-down version in promoting student engagement and learning, particularly for students in 6th grade.

Background and Previous Success

Decimal Point has already demonstrated effectiveness in improving student understanding of decimals for over 1,500 5th and 6th-grade students. It has been particularly effective for female students, showing increased learning gains compared to traditional methods. Building on this success, the current study aims to test whether an embodied version of Decimal Point, powered by the WearableLearning platform, can further enhance learning by engaging students in physical, multimodal activities while solving math problems.

Goals and Implementation

This study seeks to determine the impact of an embodied learning game versus a sit-down digital game. Key goals include:

• Developing an embodied version of the Decimal Point game that is feasible for use in public school classrooms.
• Comparing engagement and learning outcomes between students using the embodied game and those using the traditional version.
• Exploring whether collaborative play (students working in pairs) enhances learning and engagement more than individual play.
• Analyzing data from schools in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania to understand the broader impact of embodied learning in real-world settings.

Benefits for Participating Districts

Participating districts will receive several benefits, including:

• Opportunities for teachers to engage with cutting-edge educational research.
• Access to professional development on implementing embodied learning techniques.
• Free access to both the embodied and sit-down versions of Decimal Point.
• Valuable insights and data to help inform instructional strategies for teaching math.

How to Get Involved

Superintendents and district leaders are invited to support this study by filling out the support form or downloading and signing a letter of support. By participating, you will help advance research into innovative learning techniques that can improve math outcomes for students in your district. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to collaborating with you to make a positive impact on student learning.