FA 2024: Game-based learning within Early Childhood Educatio (Summer Stinson)

Title: Game Based Learning within Early Childhood Education

Author Name: Summer Stinson

Selected Case: The Impact of IXL Among Early Elementary Students in a South Carolina School District

https://www.ixl.com/materials/us/research/The_Impact_of_IXL_Among_Early_Elementary_Students_(SC).pdf

  1. Introduction

Game-Based Learning is simply the use of games to enhance the learning process. The game play is structured and it includes a variety of games, challenges, and reward badges to incentivize the learning. IXL isi an educational online learning platform that creates personalized education plans and practice for each student/ It includes adaptive practice and covers content within Mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. This platform is targeted towards K-12 students and allows them to work freely at their own pace. The platform also provides real time feedback for students and allows them to master concepts through repetition. This research aims to analyze the IXL learning platform and determine the impact on elementary school students.

  1. Overview of the Case

This study analyzes the impact of the IXL learning platform and its academic benefit within early elementary school students in rural South Carolina. Though the platform caters to many subjects, this study focused on literacy and numerical advancements. The data was collected from 1,416 first- and second-grade students and used the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments to measure performance in math and reading. To help eliminate biases, the researchers used multilevel linear regression models to  collect data for students’ school membership, baseline performance, and demographic background. The researchers found that increased participation and engagement within the IXL learning platform contributed to better performance in math and reading. Significant gains were seen after only eight weeks of using the learning platform. They also found that the students that took advantage of the platform fully, like targeted practice, mastering skills, and answering questions, did significantly better on their MAP test. 

  1. Solutions Implemented 

The Impact of IXL Among Early Elementary Students in a South Carolina School District is a study that analyzes the effects of IXL usage on early elementary students’ academic performance in a rural South Carolina school district. The following solutions and strategies were implemented in the study to assess the impact of IXL on students’ academic outcomes:

1. Use of IXL as a Personalized Learning Tool

  • Personalized Recommendations: The IXL platform creates a personalized learning plan in all subjects and this study is geared towards math and reading. It also provides real time feedback for students to enhance their learning. 
  • Practice and Mastery: The platform allows students to review the content at their own pace and they can continue to practice until they reach a 100% level of mastery.

Data-Driven Analysis with NWEA MAP Assessments

  • Assessment Alignment: The study used the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments to measure shifts and changes within students’ academic performance. These assessments are designed to track growth in math and reading over time.
  • Baseline Measurement: The performance of the students  was first assessed and documented  using the MAP to create a baseline for comparison. The study further tracked how IXL usage related with improvements in the MAP scores.This allowed for an evidence-based analysis of the platform’s impact.
  • The study also documented growth after only eight weeks of using the platform

Multilevel Linear Regression Models

  • Variable Control: In order to eliminate biases the researchers implemented the multilevel linear regression models. 
  • School Membership: Differences between schools in the district.
  • Baseline Performance: Students’ initial performance on MAP assessments.
  • Demographic Background: Factors like socioeconomic status or other background variables that might influence learning.
  • Statistical Control: This allowed the researchers to isolate the effects of IXL usage on student performance, ensuring that observed improvements were genuinely due to the platform’s usage. (An 5)
  1. Outcomes 

The research concluded that there was significant progress made within MAP scores as it related to using the IXL learning platform for Math and Reading.The number of questions and the time spent on the learning platform were all factors that contributed to the growth and the development of students’ MAP scores. The similarity between the adaptability within MAP and the IXL platform was another factor that contributed to the success of this study. Measurable growth was seen as a result of the IXL learning platform. This study targeted 1st and 2nd graders in South Carolina and eliminated biases while collecting data. The progress was tracked over eight weeks, so researchers believe that the impact of the tool will be even greater as a result of using the platform over a longer period of time. 

  1. Implications

There are many implications to notate throughout this study. The first one is the Long-term academic gains. This platform was only used over a short period of time and already had a significant outcome. If the platform is used longer, it could cause an even greater benefit. The second implication is personalized learning benefits. It allows for differentiated education without the teacher having to personally go in and create each student with their own lesson plan and learning targets. This also allows for students to go at their own pace and address any misconceptions. The third implication is the effectiveness within early education. The research shows that the platform has been extremely effective in the development of students. It is measurable and assessed through the MAP test and helps track the growth of each student.

  1. References

AAAmber AuBainTeacherCaldwell County Schools (Education Management, et al. “Pros and Cons of IXL 2024.” TrustRadius, 8 Dec. 2022, www.trustradius.com/products/ixl-learning/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons. 

“Meet the Outdoor School Where Recess Lasts All Day and Children Thrive.” Forest School Uses Outdoor Therapy To Help Children Thrive, standtogether.org/stories/education/this-forest-school-uses-outdoor-therapy-to-help-children-thrive?msclkid=859a4a6c09251fff390d2d39c917e0de&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=STTOTGR_IN_2024_PRG-EDU_BING_50SCROLL_STBP-EDU-NB-BROAD&utm_term=play-based+learning&utm_content=ARTL_ADVENTUREME_V1_TXT. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024. 

The Impact of IXL among Early Elementary Students (SC), www.ixl.com/materials/us/research/The_Impact_of_IXL_Among_Early_Elementary_Students_(SC).pdf. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024. 

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