Design of a Computer Game that Has a Positive Effect on Motivation and Learning Outcomes in Mathematics Teaching
Keywords:
education, game-based learning
Abstract
This article proposes a set of design criteria for creating effective mathematical computer games that can meet the needs of all participants in the teaching process. It emphasizes the importance of designing computer games that achieve the educational goal, have clear rules, develop cognitive abilities, and are adapted to the students' age and abilities. The article also highlights the benefits of using well-designed mathematical computer games in education, including faster acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities in an interesting and acceptable way, leading to a more creative and modern teaching process. However, the study acknowledges some limitations, such as not considering the views of all stakeholders, not evaluating the effectiveness of specific games, and not exploring potential negative impacts of prolonged use of computer games on students' health and well-being. The proposed set of criteria provides a useful framework for designing educational games, but future research should explore the perspectives of a wider range of participants, evaluate the effectiveness of different games, and investigate the potential negative impacts of prolonged use.
References
Azamovna, R. G. (2022). Use of virtual environment and 3d multimedia electronic textbooks in higher education. Open Access Repository, 8(12), 255-261.
Bado, N. (2022). Game-based learning pedagogy: A review of the literature. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(5), 936-948.
Baytak, A., & Land, S. M. (2010). A case study of educational game design by kids and for kids. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2, 5242–5246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.05.007
Bersin, J. (2004). The blended learning handbook. Wiley.
Bidarra, J., & Martins, O. (2010). Exploratory learning with Geodromo: Design of emotional and cognitive factors within an educational cross-media experience. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 43(2), 171–183.
Bilić, V., Gjukić, D., & Kirinić, G. (2010). Possible effects of playing computer games and video games on children and adolescents. Napredak: Journal of Pedagogical Theory and Practice, 195-213.
Chang, Y., Chen, J., Fang, R., & Lu, Y. (2017). Establishing a game-based learning cloud. In The Euro-China Conference on Intelligent Data Analysis and Applications (pp. 250–259). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48499-0_22
Demirbilek, M., & Tamer, S. L. (2010). Math teachers' perspectives on using educational computer games in math education. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 709–716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.12.217
Divjak, B., & Tomić, D. (2011). The impact of game-based learning on the achievement of learning goals and motivation for learning mathematics – Literature review. Journal of Information and Organizational Sciences, 35(1), 15-30.
Ellington, H. (1987). How to design educational games and simulations. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Scottish Central Institutions Committee for Educational Development.
Fonseca, A., & Câmara, A. (2020). The Use of Multimedia Spatial Data Handling in Environmental Impact Assessment. In Geographic Information Research (pp. 556-570). CRC Press.
Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. Palgrave/St. Martin's.
Gros, B. (2007). Digital games in education: The design of games-based learning environments. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 40(1), 23–38.
He, A. Y. (2017). Educational game design: Game elements for promoting engagement. Oakton High School, Sutton Road 2900, Vienna, VA 22181-2900, United States.
Huang, W.-H., Huang, W.-Y., & Tschopp, J. (2010). Sustaining iterative game playing processes in DGBL: The relationship between motivational processing and outcome processing. Computers & Education, 55, 789-797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.03.014
Hummel, H., Boyle, E., Einarsdottir, S., Petursdottir, A., Graur, A. (2017). Game-based career learning support for youth: effects of playing the Youth@Work game on career adaptability. Interactive Learning Environments, 26(6), 745-759. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2017.1402062
Hurd, D., Jennings, E. (2010). Standardized Educational Games Ratings: Suggested Criteria. Bethel Journal, 111(45).
Jantke, K. P., Hume, T. (2015). Effective Learning Through Meaning Construction in Digital Role-Playing Games. ICCE 2015, Las Vegas, NV, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCE.2015.7066566
Karakus, T., Inal, Y., Cagiltay, K. (2008). A descriptive study of Turkish high school students' game-playing characteristics and their considerations concerning the effects of games. Computers in Human Behavior, 24, 2520–2529.
Ke, F., Grabowski, B. (2007). Game playing for mathematics learning: cooperative or not? British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(2), 249-259.
Khan, A., Ahmad, F. H., Malik, M. M. (2017). Use of digital game-based learning and gamification in secondary school science: The effect on student engagement, learning and gender difference. Education and Information Technologies, 22(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9622-1
Leng, E. Y., Wan, Z. A., Mahmud, R., Baki, R. (2010). Computer games development experience and appreciative learning approach for creative process enhancement. Computers & Education, 55, 1131–1144.
Malone, T. W., Lepper, M. R. (1987). Making learning fun: A taxonomy of intrinsic motivations for learning. In R. E. Snow & M. J. Farr (Eds.), Aptitude, Learning and Instruction III: Conative and Affective Process Analyses (pp. 223-253). Erlbaum.
Marchetti, E., & Valente, A. (2015). Design games to learn: A new approach to playful learning through digital games. In European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL) (pp. 275-281). Berlin, Germany.
Midura, J. C., Rosenheck, L., & Groff, J. S. (2015). Designing games for learning and assessment. 14th International Conference. https://doi.org/10.1145/2771839.2771912.
Miller, J. L., & Kocurek, C. A. (2017). Principles for educational game development for young children. Journal of Children and Media, 11(1), 33-49.
Moreno-Ger, P., Burgos, D., Martínez-Ortiz, I., Sierra, J. L., & Fernández-Manjón, B. (2008). Educational game design for online education. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(6), 2530-2540.
Moreno, R. (2002). Who learns best with multiple representations? Cognitive theory implications for individual differences in multimedia learning. Paper presented at World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, Telecommunications. Denver, CO.
Orr, K., & McGuinness, C. (2018). What is the “learning” in games-based learning? In L. C. Walters, E. R. Halverson, & R. T. Ferdig (Eds.), Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stories from the field (pp. 293-301). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5198-0.ch031.
Overmars, M. (2007). Game design in education. Institute of Information and Computing Sciences Utrecht University.
Roach, R. (2003). Research schools work to improve classroom use of computer games. Black Issues in Higher Education, 20(21), 42.
Rosas, R., Nussbaum, M., Cumsille, P., Marianov, V., Correa, M., & Flores, P. (2003). Beyond Nintendo: Design and assessment of educational video games for first and second grade students. Computers & Education, 40(1), 71-94.
Schaefer, S., & Warren, J. (2004). Teaching computer game design and construction. Computer-Aided Design, 36(14), 1501-1510.
Sedig, K. (2007). Toward operationalization of 'flow' in mathematics learn ware. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(5), 2064-2092.
Shaffer, D. W. (2006). Epistemic frames for epistemic games. Computers & Education, 46(3), 223-234.
Shafie, A., Wan, F., & Wan, A. (2010). Design and heuristic evaluation of MathQuest: A role-playing game for numbers. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 8, 620-625.
Suryono, R. R., & Subriadi, A. P. (2016). Investigation on the effect of user's experience to motivate playing online games. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 90(2), 274-281.
Thorne, K. (2003). Blended Learning. London: Kogan Page.
Tomić, D. (2011). Effects of using educational computer games in teaching mathematics (Doctoral dissertation). FOI Varaždin.
Vankúš, P. (2021). Influence of game-based learning in mathematics education on students’ affective domain: A systematic review. Mathematics, 9(9), 986.
Wang, M., & Zheng, X. (2021). Using game-based learning to support learning science: A study with middle school students. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 30, 167-176.
Warren, S. J., Dondlinger, M. J., & Barab, S. A. (2008). A MUVE towards PBL writing: Effects of a digital learning environment designed to improve elementary student writing. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 41(1), 113-140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2008.10782505
Yu, Z., Gao, M., & Wang, L. (2021). The effect of educational games on learning outcomes, student motivation, engagement and satisfaction. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(3), 522-546.
Bado, N. (2022). Game-based learning pedagogy: A review of the literature. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(5), 936-948.
Baytak, A., & Land, S. M. (2010). A case study of educational game design by kids and for kids. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2, 5242–5246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.05.007
Bersin, J. (2004). The blended learning handbook. Wiley.
Bidarra, J., & Martins, O. (2010). Exploratory learning with Geodromo: Design of emotional and cognitive factors within an educational cross-media experience. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 43(2), 171–183.
Bilić, V., Gjukić, D., & Kirinić, G. (2010). Possible effects of playing computer games and video games on children and adolescents. Napredak: Journal of Pedagogical Theory and Practice, 195-213.
Chang, Y., Chen, J., Fang, R., & Lu, Y. (2017). Establishing a game-based learning cloud. In The Euro-China Conference on Intelligent Data Analysis and Applications (pp. 250–259). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48499-0_22
Demirbilek, M., & Tamer, S. L. (2010). Math teachers' perspectives on using educational computer games in math education. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 709–716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.12.217
Divjak, B., & Tomić, D. (2011). The impact of game-based learning on the achievement of learning goals and motivation for learning mathematics – Literature review. Journal of Information and Organizational Sciences, 35(1), 15-30.
Ellington, H. (1987). How to design educational games and simulations. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Scottish Central Institutions Committee for Educational Development.
Fonseca, A., & Câmara, A. (2020). The Use of Multimedia Spatial Data Handling in Environmental Impact Assessment. In Geographic Information Research (pp. 556-570). CRC Press.
Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. Palgrave/St. Martin's.
Gros, B. (2007). Digital games in education: The design of games-based learning environments. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 40(1), 23–38.
He, A. Y. (2017). Educational game design: Game elements for promoting engagement. Oakton High School, Sutton Road 2900, Vienna, VA 22181-2900, United States.
Huang, W.-H., Huang, W.-Y., & Tschopp, J. (2010). Sustaining iterative game playing processes in DGBL: The relationship between motivational processing and outcome processing. Computers & Education, 55, 789-797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.03.014
Hummel, H., Boyle, E., Einarsdottir, S., Petursdottir, A., Graur, A. (2017). Game-based career learning support for youth: effects of playing the Youth@Work game on career adaptability. Interactive Learning Environments, 26(6), 745-759. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2017.1402062
Hurd, D., Jennings, E. (2010). Standardized Educational Games Ratings: Suggested Criteria. Bethel Journal, 111(45).
Jantke, K. P., Hume, T. (2015). Effective Learning Through Meaning Construction in Digital Role-Playing Games. ICCE 2015, Las Vegas, NV, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCE.2015.7066566
Karakus, T., Inal, Y., Cagiltay, K. (2008). A descriptive study of Turkish high school students' game-playing characteristics and their considerations concerning the effects of games. Computers in Human Behavior, 24, 2520–2529.
Ke, F., Grabowski, B. (2007). Game playing for mathematics learning: cooperative or not? British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(2), 249-259.
Khan, A., Ahmad, F. H., Malik, M. M. (2017). Use of digital game-based learning and gamification in secondary school science: The effect on student engagement, learning and gender difference. Education and Information Technologies, 22(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9622-1
Leng, E. Y., Wan, Z. A., Mahmud, R., Baki, R. (2010). Computer games development experience and appreciative learning approach for creative process enhancement. Computers & Education, 55, 1131–1144.
Malone, T. W., Lepper, M. R. (1987). Making learning fun: A taxonomy of intrinsic motivations for learning. In R. E. Snow & M. J. Farr (Eds.), Aptitude, Learning and Instruction III: Conative and Affective Process Analyses (pp. 223-253). Erlbaum.
Marchetti, E., & Valente, A. (2015). Design games to learn: A new approach to playful learning through digital games. In European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL) (pp. 275-281). Berlin, Germany.
Midura, J. C., Rosenheck, L., & Groff, J. S. (2015). Designing games for learning and assessment. 14th International Conference. https://doi.org/10.1145/2771839.2771912.
Miller, J. L., & Kocurek, C. A. (2017). Principles for educational game development for young children. Journal of Children and Media, 11(1), 33-49.
Moreno-Ger, P., Burgos, D., Martínez-Ortiz, I., Sierra, J. L., & Fernández-Manjón, B. (2008). Educational game design for online education. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(6), 2530-2540.
Moreno, R. (2002). Who learns best with multiple representations? Cognitive theory implications for individual differences in multimedia learning. Paper presented at World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, Telecommunications. Denver, CO.
Orr, K., & McGuinness, C. (2018). What is the “learning” in games-based learning? In L. C. Walters, E. R. Halverson, & R. T. Ferdig (Eds.), Teaching, technology, and teacher education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stories from the field (pp. 293-301). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5198-0.ch031.
Overmars, M. (2007). Game design in education. Institute of Information and Computing Sciences Utrecht University.
Roach, R. (2003). Research schools work to improve classroom use of computer games. Black Issues in Higher Education, 20(21), 42.
Rosas, R., Nussbaum, M., Cumsille, P., Marianov, V., Correa, M., & Flores, P. (2003). Beyond Nintendo: Design and assessment of educational video games for first and second grade students. Computers & Education, 40(1), 71-94.
Schaefer, S., & Warren, J. (2004). Teaching computer game design and construction. Computer-Aided Design, 36(14), 1501-1510.
Sedig, K. (2007). Toward operationalization of 'flow' in mathematics learn ware. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(5), 2064-2092.
Shaffer, D. W. (2006). Epistemic frames for epistemic games. Computers & Education, 46(3), 223-234.
Shafie, A., Wan, F., & Wan, A. (2010). Design and heuristic evaluation of MathQuest: A role-playing game for numbers. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 8, 620-625.
Suryono, R. R., & Subriadi, A. P. (2016). Investigation on the effect of user's experience to motivate playing online games. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 90(2), 274-281.
Thorne, K. (2003). Blended Learning. London: Kogan Page.
Tomić, D. (2011). Effects of using educational computer games in teaching mathematics (Doctoral dissertation). FOI Varaždin.
Vankúš, P. (2021). Influence of game-based learning in mathematics education on students’ affective domain: A systematic review. Mathematics, 9(9), 986.
Wang, M., & Zheng, X. (2021). Using game-based learning to support learning science: A study with middle school students. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 30, 167-176.
Warren, S. J., Dondlinger, M. J., & Barab, S. A. (2008). A MUVE towards PBL writing: Effects of a digital learning environment designed to improve elementary student writing. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 41(1), 113-140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2008.10782505
Yu, Z., Gao, M., & Wang, L. (2021). The effect of educational games on learning outcomes, student motivation, engagement and satisfaction. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(3), 522-546.
Published
2025-09-16
How to Cite
Tomić, D., & Dulemba, D. (2025). Design of a Computer Game that Has a Positive Effect on Motivation and Learning Outcomes in Mathematics Teaching. European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 5(4), 136-151. Retrieved from https://www.ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/705
Issue
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Damir Tomić, Dora Dulemba
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
ISSN 
