Mathemagics: A Gamified Approach to Basic Mathematical Operations

Mathematics plays a crucial role in our lives from a young age and remains essential in daily activities. In particular, basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division serve as necessary building blocks for children to solve practical and theoretical problems. However, recent results of international assessments conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have revealed significant challenges in mathematics education in the Philippines. In addition, many students exhibit a negative attitude toward the subject, lacking motivation. To address this concern, this study aimed to provide another platform on which young learners can practice basic mathematical operations with a more enjoyable, engaging, and educational experience. Game-Scrum methodology was used for development and a quantitative research design was used to evaluate the user experience and functionality. The Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale 18 (GUESS-18) and a customized Usability and Functionality (UF) Questionnaire were used to evaluate the user experience and functionality of the application. The output of this study includes a mobile game application and a website that monitors user statistics and displays web analytics. After completion of the applications, the mobile game application was subjected to different testing activities, including the usability test given to 319 students from grades 2, 3, and 4 of the research locale. Similarly, a math expert was consulted to evaluate the software applications. The testing of the game by the students lasted for one week and resulted in positive feedback.