Math Detective: Digital Game-Based Mathematical Error Dectection, Correction and Explanation

Students may inevitably make errors when learning mathematics. We should positively regard these errors, which could be used as a valuable learning resource. For this reason, this study designed a computer-based learning game, called Math Detective. The game comprised a learning process of error detection, correction and explanation. In this game, students can play the role of detectives to find out errors in multiplication and figure out the reasons. A questionnaire was carried out to preliminarily evaluate students´ opinions about their own performance in the activity and the functions of the system. Although the results did not show any tendency for their self-rated performance, students thought the functions of the system helped them a lot. Even so, more design on assisting them to explain errors still needed to be provided and investigated in the future.