Learning Mathematics is Easy and Fun With the Game “Super Aritmatika” by FMIPA & FSRD ITB
By Adi Permana
Editor Adi Permana
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id--Super Aritmatika, a game created by the Algebra Research Group of FMIPA ITB in collaboration with the Visual Communication and Multimedia Research Group of FSRD ITB, is designed to drive the motivation in learning mathematics. This innovation comes into fruition for a reason: the decline in motivation to learn mathematics during the pandemic.
Problems in learning mathematics online are caused by several factors, such as the difficulty of the materials, unappealing learning media, and the time and range limitation of the teachers. This innovation is made to answer those problems.
Super Aritmatika will be launched in December 2022 and can be downloaded for free. This Android-based mobile game features basic multiplication material with repeated addition as its core concept. The game is expected to be a fun and engaging medium for learning mathematics. In addition, this innovation is also a form of community service by ITB for Indonesia.
Super Aritmatika presents mathematical problems thematically. With space exploration as its underlying theme, the game is expected to provide an enjoyable learning experience for students. The game starts with a rescue mission in which planets can be saved from an alien invasion by solving mathematical problems. These problems are presented on each planet with varying difficulties. Mercury, for instance, contains mathematical problems featuring a multiplication of one and two. This continues until Neptune, which contains mixed mathematical problems from 1 to 10 with a limited amount of time.
Super Aritmatika is also beneficial for the cognitive development of elementary school students. At this age, students experience a transition in iconic and symbolic representations. Therefore, the game visualizes more iconic representations, for example image-based representations that show concrete objects as calculation tools. Similarly, the game also includes symbolic representations in the form of codes and mathematical symbols.
The beta version of Super Aritmatika has been introduced and tested on some elementary school students, like in the villages located in Areng and Lembang. This testing process was done through an online communication which contained instructions on downloading the game. The game itself received a positive response from the users, which was proved by the great enthusiasm of the students who managed to solve the mathematical problems in a relatively short amount of time.
Reporter: Tarisa Putri (Chemical Engineering, 2019)
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Faculty of Industrial Technology, 2021)
