Pedagogical Agents in Game-based Mathematics Learning in Virtual Worlds

This study is a part of an ongoing design-based research project to investigate whether a virtual-world game with pedagogical agents can promote the learning of fractions for 5th graders. The OpenSim-based game prototype was tested with participants majoring in mathematics and pre-service teachers in math education to investigate the usability, playability, and learning integration of the game prototype for the math learning of 5th graders. The study results indicate that the math game scenarios are engaging for students, but there are several opportunities for improving the prototype to increase learning integration and reduce extraneous cognitive load.