Dr Math gets MUDDY: the "dirt" on how to attract teenagers to Mathematics and Science by using multi-user dungeon games over Mxit on cell phones

Abstract

The current group of teenagers has been called many things – some of the terms unprintable in respectable publications. However terms such as the “thumb tribe” (because they can type faster on their cell phones with their thumbs than adults can type on a keyboard using ten fingers) and “gamers” (because they play computer games for hours, and even days, at a time) are indicative of the close relationship teenagers have with their cell phones and computers. This paper explores a project where multi-user dungeon games (MUDs) with a science and mathematical twist were deployed using Mxit (a popular instant messaging system in South Africa) on cell phones to encourage teenagers to learn more about math and science to practice math and science skills