WestEd Studies of Tyto Online 

Statistical skills are increasingly important for navigating in and contributing to society. However, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows declining scores in mathematics, with statistics and probability the lowest of all math content areas. In addition, mathematics teachers are often underprepared to support student learning through math practices and classroom discourse.

Purpose

New Tyto Online game content is designed around 6th–8th grade probability and statistics standards, integrates mathematical practices, and supports classroom discourse. Immersed Games, the makers of Tyto Online, are codesigning the content and pedagogical teacher supports with students and teachers. AI is used within the game to ask questions and elicit student thinking. It is also used to summarize and organize student responses within the teacher tools.

WestEd is conducting two studies assessing the usability and feasibility of the new Tyto Online content. A third study will assess the impact of Tyto Online in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Audiences Served

This study enables 6th–8th grade classrooms to use Tyto Online to support student understanding of probability and statistics and develop mathematical discourse skills.

Findings will help the developer improve Tyto Online and inform how Tyto Online and other edtech tools can support students’ learning and math discourse through gameplay.

Project Activities

Tyto Online will provide teacher training focused on integrating game-based learning and discourse around probability and statistics. Teachers will use Tyto Online and classroom discourse tools for approximately 3 weeks.

WestEd will collect and analyze data through surveys, logs, and interviews to determine the usability and feasibility of new features and, in the RCT, the impact of Tyto Online on student math achievement and attitudes. We will disseminate findings to teachers, districts, and edtech researchers.

If you are interested in learning more about the study, email [email protected]. If you or your district are interested in participating in one of the studies, please complete this interest form. 

Project Director

Katie D’Silva

Katie D’Silva is an expert in K–16 STEM education, with a deep commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for all. She partners with teachers, college faculty, districts, education product developers, and other researchers to boost the impact of their programs and increase opportunity and success for all students.

Funder

This project is funded in full by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education through contract number 91990025C0092.

Project Duration

2 years (9/12/2025–9/11/2027)