Publications & Resources

The Use of Narrative: Gender Differences and Implications for Motivation and Learning in a Math Game

Aug 2011

Sarah Joy Bittick and Gregory K. W. K. Chung

Many gaming environments use narrative to communicate the background of a computer game, for example, who are the characters, what is their environment, what challenges await, and what resources are available to overcome those challenges. In this study, CRESST researchers analyzed the motivational benefits of narrative in a math game and the relationship to gender and learning outcomes. They found that the use of narrative increased student engagement and learning outcomes regardless of gender, but that learning gains only occurred for male students matched to the masculine narrative.

Bittick, S. J., & Chung, G. K. W. K. (2011). The use of narrative: Gender differences and implications for motivation and learning in a math game (CRESST Report 804). Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST).