The Number Navigation Game: An Overview of an Iterative Development Process

Abstract

The present chapter provides an overview of the iterative development and testing of the Number Navigation Game (NNG), a game-based learning environment which aims to strengthen primary school students' flexibility and adaptivity with arithmetic problem solving. The set of studies described in this chapter asked different questions using different methodologies through the phases of game development. However, the connecting principle was placing the integration of game features and mathematical content in the center of the process and developing valid and reliable means to operationalize the expected mathematical learning outcomes. Each step in the cycle served as a source of information to be used both in the development of the NNG and in the development of different types of measures of the mathematical learning outcomes. Conclusions of these steps are discussed in relation to the iterative game design process, the importance of using an integrated game design, and questions of measurement in the broader context of educational game design.