PROJECT ISOLVE (INTEGERS SOLVED THROUGH VARIOUS EXERCISES): A GAMIFIED APPROACH TO ENHANCE GRADE 7 STUDENTS' MASTERY IN ADDING AND SUBTRACTING INTEGERS

This study explored the effectiveness of Project iSolve (Integers Solved through Various Exercises), a gamified instructional strategy designed to enhance Grade 7 students’ mastery in adding and subtracting integers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the researchers implemented a descriptive quantitative design alongside qualitative inquiry, involving 31 Grade 7 Amethyst students from Magatos Integrated School. A pre-test and post-test using the Negative Number Subtraction Operation Test assessed students’ arithmetic skills before and after the intervention. The Shapiro-Wilk Test revealed a significant deviation from normality (W=0.822, p<.001), prompting the use of non-parametric analysis. The median score increased from 40% (IQR=7.50) in the pre-test to 70% (IQR=7.00) in the post-test. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test confirmed a statistically significant improvement (W=496, Z=4.860, p<.001), and the rank-biserial correlation (r=1.000, SE=0.203) indicated a very large effect size, validating the practical impact of the intervention. To complement the quantitative results, in-depth interviews were conducted with selected students, revealing nine emergent themes: Sustaining Student Engagement in the Learning Process, Enhancing Learning through Interactive Game-Based Activities, Optimizing Activity Duration for Effective Learning, Needing for Instructional Clarity, Incorporating Visual Aids Enhances Engagement, Incorporating Real-life Applications Makes Learning More Meaningful, Simplifying Complex Concepts, Boosting Confidence in Solving Mathematical Problem, and Promoting Engagement through Group Participation. These findings highlight that Project iSolve not only significantly improved students’ computational skills but also fostered greater engagement, motivation, and conceptual understanding, supporting its integration into regular classroom instruction to enhance mathematics learning. Keywords: Project İsolve, Gamified İntervention, Adding And Subtracting, İnteger Operations, Philippines