Motivating maths? Digital games and mathematical learning

Abstract It is often claimed that computers have the potential to engage and motivate children in ways that conventional classroom teaching does not. Children are assumed to have a natural aptitude and enthusiasm for computers; and the Internet is seen to make learning automatically more interesting and exciting. Over the last few years educational websites have appeared which claim to be ‘interactive’ and ‘to make learning fun’. These websites are often influenced by other areas of the children's entertainment industry, particularly computer games. In this article we look at how game formats are being incorporated into educational web sites designed to teach mathematics.