Prisms is a supplemental curricular resource for mathematics and science teachers that uses immersive virtual reality to engage students in problem-driven, tactile, and visual learning. The modules are intended to introduce a mathematics topic and provide a motivating context to continue studying the mathematics idea.

WestEd conducted a randomized controlled trial to study the impact of Prisms on students’ engagement and algebra (exponential functions) proficiencies. This report shares results from the study, which found, among other findings, that students in the Prisms treatment group outperformed students in the business-as-usual control group on a researcher-developed measure of exponential functions.