Chess in the classroom – a game targeted to boys’ problem-solving skills

Chess in the classroom – a game targeted to boys’ problem-solving skills

• Dominic Voyer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada

• Michel Rousseau, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, campus de Québec, Canada

• Thomas Rajotte, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada

• Viktor Freiman, Université de Moncton, campus de Moncton, Canada

• Jim Cabot-Thibault, Commission scolaire René-Lévesque, Canada

doi : https://dx.doi.org/10.18162/fp.2018.440

Résumé

In this research, we wanted to test if learning and practicing chess game during school hours may have an effect on boys’ mathematical problem solving skills. We have provided chess lessons for two years to 87 boys and 98 other boys took part of the control group. Multilevel repeated analyzes were conducted at the end of the study. Results show that boys who received chess lessons scored better in mathematical problems solving than boys from the control group.

Abstract

In this research, we wanted to test if learning and practicing chess game during school hours may have an effect on boys’ mathematical problem solving skills. We have provided chess lessons for two years to 87 boys and 98 other boys took part of the control group. Multilevel repeated analyzes were conducted at the end of the study. Results show that boys who received chess lessons scored better in mathematical problems solving than boys from the control group.