Intrinsic integration in rational number games – A systematic literature review

This literature review on digital game-based rational number learning investigated the integration of rational number content and established rational number learning principles with core game mechanics. A total of 34 papers eventually met the defined inclusion criteria. The review showed that the literature on digital game-based rational number learning is sparse demonstrating that this particular field is still in its early stages. We found evidence to indicate that most of the game-based learning solutions were designed to facilitate understanding of magnitudes or measurement units that is in line with the current rational number learning recommendations. Nevertheless, more importantly, the results revealed that in most cases the rational number content was not well integrated to core game mechanics that may undermine the benefits of game-based learning. The conclusions drawn from this review raise a set of issues that, if unaddressed, could disturb the maturation of the whole digital game-based learning field.