Examining the Impact of Game-Based Learning on Math Achievement

How does game-based learning influence student success in mathematics? A new study, developed in partnership with Council Bluffs Community School District (Iowa), explores this important question through two retrospective correlational analyses. 

By examining student performance across multiple grades, the research found promising associations between Prodigy Math usage and higher achievement on both NWEA MAP and Iowa Statewide Assessments. 

You’ll learn: 

• How elementary students who mastered more Prodigy Math skills performed on MAP assessments 

• The link between time spent answering Prodigy Math questions and improved state assessment scores in grades 5 and 6 

• Why both high-achieving and struggling learners benefited from voluntary Prodigy use 

• Recommendations for future research to better understand game-based learning’s impact on academic growth 

The findings provide encouraging evidence that game-based learning, when implemented as a supplemental tool within classroom curriculum, may positively influence student outcomes—while also engaging learners of all levels.