photo by Stefan Rogenmoser

Gregg Middle School math teacher Keri Hayes (right) shows seventh-grader Ben Whitley how to start a new math video game as Dorchester District 2 Math Coordinator Jennie Simons (back left) helps student Jonathan Pittman start up the program.

photo by Stefan Rogenmoser

Seventh-graders at Gregg Middle School use the computer lab to play a new math video game that uses pre-algebra and algebra problems.

photo by Stefan Rogenmoser

Gregg Middle School seventh-grader Ben Whitley works on a math video game in a new program designed to make students more excited about learning.

photo by Stefan Rogenmoser

The cruiser is one of many features that makes the game fun and entertaining.

mage provided

Gregg Middle School students are the first among what should be many learning math while playing video games at computer labs. Dorchester District 2 has joined forces with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) in Goose Creek, according to school officials.

On Jan. 22 about 45 seventh grades from Suzanne Hughes’ and Keri Hayes’ math classes logged in to learn and re-enforce algebra and pre-algebra while playing Tabula Digita, the new program that combines fast-paced entertainment and education. The school started using the program just before Christmas. It should be seen soon at Oakbrook and River Oaks middle schools.

The game is called “DimensionM” and sends the player on missions. Rather than entering more tokens as a kid would at a traditional arcade, they have to solve math problems along the way in order to continue. The game is non-violent, although lasers are used to “stun” certain objects.

Students can play against students in other states through online gaming. This day though, the district’s bandwidth is not strong enough to support two classes although it should be soon – so the students played offline.

“Middle schoolers said they’d rather stay and do math than go to recess,” DD2 Math Coordinator Jennie Simons said. “These students are comfortable with this kind of environment . . . now we just need to get comfortable,” she said, speaking of administrators.

DD2 Instructional Technologist Patrick Pye said interactive learning is more effective for 21st century students than lectures because kids play video games at home. The games should increase student motivation to learn math and science, Pye said.

SPAWAR works with the U.S. Department of Defense, which is funding the program for the first three years, Pye said. The long-term goal is to develop student interest in science and math that may lead to careers. SPAWAR often sends their younger engineers into classrooms, which makes students excited about new ways of learning through technology, according to Simons.

Special education students blend right in as they are integrated into the classes, getting assistance from resource teacher James Holden.

Students are scheduled to use Tabula Digita once a month during the school year and twice a month after school, according to Pye. A district competition is in the works, and will be sure to make math and gaming aces rise to the top.

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