Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

Designing Games for Understanding in a Data Analysis Environment

Abstract

Ordinarily, when a student plays a game on a computer, a great deal of data are generated, but never used. This paper describes a technological innovation: games designed for learning mathematics or statistics concepts in which success requires data analysis. These “Data Games” are small-scale, short, web-based games, embedded in a data analysis environment, suitable for  students in about year 7 onwards, and in teacher preparation. We discuss design for the games themselves, curriculum and assessment issues, and connections to research.