Multisensory stimulation through video games and its effects on mathematical skills
Keywords:
Video games, math, stimulation, multisensoryAbstract
Video games are currently a part of daily life of children. Access is easy since they are avail-
able on mobile phones, hand-held devices, computers and sophisticated consoles providing
the possibility of constant daily use. Video games may influence the development of cognitive
abilities that enhance mathematical skills. An analytical and observational cross-sectional study
was carried out in 13 male and female children attending fourth grade of elementary school.
A written test involving mathematical problems which included the four basic operations was
applied. Subsequently, children interacted with a computer game where they had to solve
new additions. In order to avoid bias related to the video games used, same grade children
of a private school were selected, whenever they guaranteed good academic performance.
The mean scores obtained in the written test was 9.31 ± 0.95 with a range of 3 points. The
whole group, with the exception of one child, scored between 9 and 10 points, demonstrat-
ing a homogeneous group on abilities for videogames and mathematics. Average time-span
recorded for children resolving software exercises was 4.91 ± 1.72 minutes, with an average
error of 3 ± 2.77. By applying the χ2 no significant difference was found between the score
obtained in the game and the test score, yielding χ2 = 6.8783, p < 0.05. It is likely that the use of video games stimulates the development of skills involved in mathematical processing;
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