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Video game use is widespread among all age groups, from young children to older adults. The wide variety of video game genres, which are adapted to all tastes and needs, is one of the factors that makes them so attractive. In many cases, video games function as an outlet for stress associated with everyday life by providing an escape from reality. We took advantage of this recreational aspect of video games when investigating whether there are similarities between the procedures used to pass a video game level and those used to solve a mathematical problem. Moreover, we also questioned whether the use of video games can reduce the negative emotions generated by mathematical problems and logical–mathematical knowledge in general. To verify this, we used the Portal 2 video game as a research method or tool. This video game features concepts from the spatial–geometric field that the students must identify and relate in order to carry out the procedures required to solve challenges in each level. The procedures were recorded in a questionnaire that was separated into two blocks of content in order to compare them with the procedures used to solve mathematical problems. The first block pertains to the procedures employed and the second block to the emotions that the students experienced when playing the video game and when solving a mathematical problem. The results reveal that the recreational aspect of video games is more important than the educational aspect. However, the students were not aware of using the problem-solving procedures they learned at school to solve different challenges in the video games. Furthermore, overcoming video game challenges stimulates positive emotions as opposed to the negative emotions generated when solving mathematical problems.
- mathematical problem-solving
- video games
1. Introduction
Current technological developments emerge in all social, cultural, and educational contexts. Among these developments, digital whiteboards or didactic software are examples of applications and hardware designed for the educational context. However, there are also digital elements that, despite not being designed for the teaching–learning process, have been used for this purpose. In light of this, video games could be considered based on the same essence as traditional games. McGonigal [1] states that a video game must be based on the premise of overcoming a challenge and being motivated to do so. Therefore, when interacting with these recreational applications, the individual must: (a) analyse the challenge that appears before them and determine what its purpose is; (b) analyse which elements in the game represent support (power-ups) or which elements are negative (enemies, traps, or penalties); (c) discover how to progress or gain experience; (d) consider action sequences by trial-and-error exercises; and (e) put decision-making skills into practice [2]. A careful analysis of the previously mentioned skills reveals that they are similar to those used in problem-solving.
Based on this, problem-solving is one of the most relevant areas in logical–mathematical knowledge. In fact, problem-solving can be applied to the field of mathematics as well as to aspects of daily life: when people encounter situations that require a solution in their daily lives, they unconsciously apply the problem-solving method they learned in school. In this manner, mathematical competence is developed through problem-solving exercises. According to Gorgorió and Albarracín [3]:
Mathematical competence is the ability to use mathematical knowledge in a cross-cutting manner in mathematical and non-mathematical situations and contexts. Mathematical competence goes beyond procedural knowledge; it is manifested in the use of conceptual knowledge in different practical situations.
In view of this definition of mathematical competence, it could be stated that video games are included in these non-mathematical contexts. Various studies describe the use of these elements in the classroom—for example, using the Angry Birds video game to develop mathematical knowledge [4,5,6] or physical knowledge [7,8,9,10,11].
2. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving could be considered one of the most important curricular activities in all the stages of a country’s educational system. Analysing the current legislation, one can see that, in all cases, problem-solving is oriented towards problems in children’s daily lives. Focusing on Spain (whose legislation stipulates that problem-solving be present from the earliest stages of education), self-confidence, the capacity for initiative, and problem-solving are developed from early childhood education onwards [12]. In primary education, problem-solving competencies are also developed within the field of mathematics, together with others, such as reading, reflection, planning processes, establishing resolution strategies, and designing and evaluating procedures [13]. In both stages, problem-solving is based on the development of different skills that allow students to address the situation and/or problem while developing skills related to personal development, personal autonomy, confidence, and motivation to overcome situations in their daily lives.
The logical–mathematical skills to be developed are established sequentially through a series of phases. As a result of these phases, a methodology for solving mathematical problems that is applicable to any situation is established. One of the most well-described and frequently used methodologies is that of Polya [14], which outlines four phases to pose and solve a problem through a series of questions set out in a method (Table 1).
Table 1. Polya’s problem-solving phases.
| Phases | Questions |
|---|---|
| Understanding the problem | What is the unknown? What data do I have? What is the condition? Is it enough to find the unknown? Is it redundant, contradictory, or insufficient? |
| Devising a plan | Have I seen this problem before? Do I know of any similar problems? |
| Carrying out the plan | Am I sure that each step is correct? Can I prove that the step is correct? |
| Looking back | Can I check the result and the reasoning? Can I derive the solution differently? |
Source: own elaboration based on Polya [14].
Mason, Burton, and Stacey [15] described another method of phased problem-solving, which is divided into three phases—entry, attack, and review. As with the previous method, in each of its phases, a series of questions are posed that allow the individual to progress (Table 2).
Table 2. Summary of Mason, Burton, and Stacey’s problem-solving phases.
| Phases | Processes | Issues or Propositions | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Specialising | What do I KNOW? What do I WANT? What can I INTRODUCE? |
STUCK! |
| Attack | CONJECTURE | ||
| Generalising | Try (Attempt) Check and distrust (Maybe) But why? |
AHA! | |
| Review | CHECK the resolution REFLECT on the key ideas and key moments GENERALISE to a wider context |
Source: own elaboration based on Mason et al. [15].
Within the description of the method presented by Mason et al. [15], as well as the phases, there are processes such as specialising—typical of the entry and attack phases—and generalising—typical of the attack and review phases. The method introduces the concepts of STUCK! and AHA!—concepts related to the manner of dealing with problem-solving and the learning possibilities that can be extracted from solving the problem.
Being in the STUCK! phase leads to many cases of frustration and a lack of motivation to move forward. Recent studies [16] introduce a new phase in problem-solving methods, in which the identification and control of emotions that arise when solving a problem play an important role. Di Leo et al. [17] indicate that the main emotions that students experience when solving a mathematical problem are frustration and confusion, which are negative emotions. Managing negative emotions, such as confusion, can lead to positive emotions that help with solving the problem. According to Caballero, Blanco, and Guerrero [18], it is necessary to introduce emotional aspects as well as cognitive aspects in mathematical problem-solving. By doing so, it can develop techniques, such as relaxation or breathing techniques, that allow us to transform negative emotions, such as anxiety, into positive emotions. Hannin and Nieuwenhoven [19] found a reduction in negative emotions in students who had developed cognitive and emotional aspects versus those who had only received training in problem-solving, although the cognitive levels were equivalent. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account cognitive and emotional changes as a whole, rather than individually, to understand students’ performance when solving mathematical problems [20]. These changes move students from the STUCK! phase to the AHA! phase.
3. Video Games for Problem-Solving
A series of logical–mathematical skills are employed when solving a mathematical problem. These skills can be used to overcome the challenges posed by the different phases of a video game, thus providing a number of opportunities to put mathematical knowledge into practice [21]. Among these skills are observing the elements of the screen or level, differentiating useful elements or accessories, designing strategies, and anticipating results from the objects [22,23,24]. Visuospatial and spatial–geographical skills are also required to interpret plans or areas of the screen. As such, video games provide an opportunity to develop mathematical logic and to establish processes of observation, relation, and operation or transformation.
Since they became a recreational–cultural element, video games have had a strong presence in people’s daily lives. This means that video games can be used as a medium through which to build didactic experiences, or to be implemented as support tools in the classroom in order to generate learning. Although they were not conceived as a curricular tool, they can be used as a didactic element following a previous treatment and adaptation with respect to the teaching–learning process in which they will be employed.
The procedures for solving mathematical problems and for passing a level in a video game are the same. However, unlike mathematical activities—which cause students to experience negative feelings—video games promote positive emotions. Video games are considered to be recreational, relaxing, and can provide a means of diverting from academic aspects as they are unrelated to the mathematical knowledge that causes students so much stress or feelings of fear.
The world of video games allows us to take advantage of all their potential for educational purposes by orienting them to work on knowledge that—despite being part of students’ lives—causes them stress and uncertainty when using traditional methodologies and tools. For future lines of research, we could implement the use of video games as a tool to facilitate knowledge by creating a gamified environment in the classroom, as indicated in Ref. [35], in such a way as to encourage students’ commitment and motivation towards mathematical knowledge.
Similarly, taking advantage of video games as a tool for working on logical–mathematical knowledge, we could gain a deeper understanding of the emotions that students experience when faced with logical–mathematical knowledge and whether the use of the video games modifies these feelings.
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/educsci12030172
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