Function Dungeon is an educational game prototype for players aged 12 to 16, set in a labyrinth where players solve function-based puzzles to progress. Designed to make learning linear functions engaging, the game includes problems presented as text, graphs, and analytics. These prototypes focus on turning Function Dungeon into an authorable tool.
Source code: https://github.com/smart-education-gamelab/function-dungeon
Ready-made game: https://play.unity.com/en/games/12ce2b6b-2df4-4582-b40d-fbe04e165bbd/transeet-function-dungeon
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Additional Information for Researchers
The game is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of the (fundamental) characteristics of linear functions in different representations: textual, numerical, graphical, and analytical. According to Günster-Weigand (2020) the development of conceptual understanding of function is reflected in the capacity of the student to integrate different views of function (an action or assignment view, covariational view and object oriented view) and coordinate adequately the different representations of the same concept.
The game design was supported by the MDA framework (Hunicke et al., 2004). In the Function Dungeon the aesthetic experience is centered around discovery and challenge. The dynamics of the game is slow-paced; there is no time pressure in the game. The players can take as much time as they need to explore the rooms, solve the tasks, and think about the feedback. Besides moving the character and interacting with objects, the core game mechanics in Function Dungeon include answering multiple-choice questions.
The Function Dungeon game has been developed along with constructivist perspectives, which emphasize that meanings and understandings grow out of interaction with the learning environment and in the presence of adequate feedback.
Additional Information for Educators
The main educational goal of the game is to provide students with an opportunity to practice with and learn about linear functions in an appealing and engaging gaming environment.
The prior knowledge needed to play Function Dungeon involves a basic understanding of linear functions, and the notion of a function as a mathematical object with different but equivalent representations. In the first level of the game, the players strengthen their understanding of the fundamental characteristics of linear functions: constant rate of change, y-intercept, sign, and magnitude of the slope. In the second level, players enhance their ability to connect representations of linear functions: verbal, table, graph, and formula.
Publications
Palha, S., Bouwer, A., van Smaalen, D., & Hooijschuur, K. (2023). Fostering joyful practice with digital educational games: the Function Dungeon game. In Proceedings of the 16th Int. Conference on Technology in Mathematics Teaching (ICTMT 16), 7–10 Jun 2023, Athens, Greece.
Bouwer, A., van Crasbeek, E., Palha, S., van Smaalen, D. & Hooijschuur, K. (2024). Function Dungeon: Learning linear functions in a fun and interactive way. Game presented and entered in game competition of the European Conference on Game-Based Learning (ECGBL 2024), 3-4 October, 2024, Aarhus University, Denmark. Game Demo Video on YouTube.
Bouwer, A., van Crasbeek, E., Palha, S. & van Smaalen, D. (2024). The Function Dungeon Authorable Game: involving teachers and students in educational game design. Game Demonstration, presented at the 18th ERME Topic Conference, Game-based and playful Approaches to Mathematics Education (GAME), 9-10 September 2024, Rome, Italy.