Understanding students' use of mathematical processes during a digital escape game

Abstract

Mathematical processes have long been considered an essential component of meaningful learning in mathematics, yet these processes can sometimes be invisible in the mathematics classroom or in learning experiences. This discussion uses the context of a purpose-designed, innovative ‘digital escape’ game to illustrate how digital experiences might bring mathematical processes to the fore of student learning while offering other affordances only seen in the online space. This article reports on a pilot study conducted with 12-15-year-old school students with the aim of determining if a digital escape game could promote the use of mathematical processes. During the digital escape game, it was found that students engaged with problem-solving, reasoning, communication and made connections within, across and beyond mathematics. The preliminary findings demonstrate how digital experiences may enrich the use and development of core mathematical processes, and it is argued that teachers could use their own expertise and knowledge of their learners to design such experiences, catering to student needs and interests.