Integrating Music into Math in a Virtual Reality Game: Learning Fractions

Introduction

Since video games appeared 40 years ago for the purpose of entertainment, they continue to expand in their application and delivery modes. In their review of literature, Connolly, Boyle, MacArthur, Hainey, and Boyle (2012) noted that learning and serious games have an equal market share as entertainment games. Games are regarded as a good vehicle for learning that is active, situated, and problem-based (Connolly et al., 2012). Learning outcomes of video games vary, including knowledge acquisition (De Lucia, Francese, Passero, & Tortora, 2009; Papastergiou, 2009), motivational change (Kim & Ross, 2006; Papastergiou, 2009), and social aspects such as influence of culture, self-disclosure, and communication media (Assmann & Gallenkamp, 2009).

The design of an effective video game for the purpose of learning relies on that of key game features, such as core mechanics (i.e., game actions and rules), information representation, the reward system, and game-learner interactions (Plass et al., 2013). The way in which information is represented has critical implication on the design of content-specific learning games. According to the principle of information representation, iconic (pictorial) form enhances the conceptual understanding more than symbolic (textual) form in the subject matter that composes high cognitive loads for learners with low prior knowledge, such as mathematics (Lee, Plass, & Homer, 2006; Plass et al., 2013). In a recent effort to use an iconic form in math learning, Devlin (2013) described the potential of connecting math and music learning. Video games can provide learners with a tangible interface to comprehend and interact with mathematical concepts when studying piano and musical concepts. Music accommodates math by representing its symbolic forms (e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) by means of musical, iconic forms (e.g. counting beats and dividing into measures), and the immersive game environment will facilitate this process. In light of this inherent connection between music and math, the present study explores the way a video game can be used to teach math through musical concepts.