An Examination of Digital Geography Games and Their Effects on Mathematical Data Processing and Social Studies Education Skills

Abstract

"This study aims to advance the development of the mathematical processing skills of students by suggesting the use of digital geography games. This includes an analysis of its contribution to the standard mathematics curriculum in areas such as data processing as well as its contribution to social studies curricula in areas such as map literacy, location analysis, problem solving, and other skills related to understanding tables, graphs, and diagrams. The study also examines the findings of the experts that relate to these dynamics. A case study of a digital geography game called Gezgin, developed by İneç (2021) is examined in this research using qualitative research approaches. Under this framework, the data obtained by critical case sampling from six experts through a semi-structured online interview were collected with cloud technologies and examined by using a content analysis. The findings obtained showed that the use of Gezgin can help develop skills related to data processing, problem solving, problem formulation, general mathematical processes, the ability to transfer mathematics to real life, and the ability to create and correctly interpret tables and graphs. The findings also indicate that the real-life context that is provided by this game supports educational development in the areas of map literacy, location analysis, problem-solving skills and graph, table and diagram creation and interpretation for social studies curricula. The expert opinions about Gezgin were determined to be mostly positive, especially with respect to the interdisciplinary structure and its rich content, but some of its functions were found to be limited."