From Here to There: Preparing an Effective Game-Based Algebra Intervention for Scale

During the Direct to Phase II project, the project team will develop a new version of the FH2T game for use in classrooms or for at-home use outside of research. Key activities will include upgrading the game infrastructure to house and organize data and the login system, adding a real-time teacher dashboard to track student progress and assignment system, improving the user interface, and creating introductory tutorial materials. The team will follow universal design principles to maximize usability for students with a wide variety of learning differences. After development is complete, the researchers will conduct a pilot study with 500 grade 7 students and educators in 20 classrooms over 4-months. The researchers will examine whether students are able to use the new FH2T and whether educators believe that the game would be practical for use in real-world applications across different settings. Researchers will also measure student growth in Algebra and will compare results to prior efficacy trials to understand whether FH2T is as effective as the prior version. Algebra outcomes will be measured using state standardized items. With existing data from program operations supplemented by teacher and program and school staff interviews, the study will use the ingredients approach to identify the resources involved in developing and implementing FH2T, including technology, materials, staff time, and facilities.