The Application of Enhanced Damath in Learning Operations on Integers and Developing Strategic Thinking

This study examined the effect of using enhanced Damath on learning integer operations and developing strategic thinking. Enhanced Damath is an educational board game which is a Philippine traditional Damath game with a dice modifier. Damath has been used in Philippine schools mainly to improve students’ mathematical competency in computing. This research aimed to expand the application of Damath to improve strategic thinking which naturally develops in game playing. A randomized pretest-posttest control group experimental research design with matched subjects was used to gather empirical evidence. The respondents for the experimental group were randomly chosen high school students. The respondents for the control group were randomly chosen matched pairs of the subjects in the experimental group determined based on the school enrolled, grade level, academic performance, sex, and age. Results revealed that playing enhanced Damath significantly improves students’ level of knowledge in integers involving single and multiple operations. The game also significantly contributes to the development of students’ strategic thinking. Students affirmed the positive effect of enhanced Damath in terms of improved performance and a fun way to learn mathematical skills.