Research - About BrainPOP

BrainPOP is Effective

Efficacy — or effectiveness — studies that reveal the various ways using BrainPOP fosters learning.

The Impact of BrainPOP on Literacy Skills, 2022 A study showing continuous engagement with literacy skills on BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. leads to a statistically significant increase in learning gains in literacy across subjects.
The Impact of BrainPOP on State Assessment Results, 2018 A quasi-experimental study showing BrainPOP subscribers have higher standardized test scores than a matched group of non-subscribers in 5 states.
ESSA Qualification: Moderate Evidence
The Impact of BrainPOP Training & Certification, 2018 A study showing the effectiveness of BrainPOP’s educator certification program in facilitating stronger use of BrainPOP to support more student-centric teaching techniques. See our infographic on this research.
Effects of Animation in Learning, 2009 Animation, as implemented on BrainPOP, is effective at fostering learning.
A Study of the Effectiveness of BrainPOP, 2008 Usage of BrainPOP increases academic performance.
A Study of the Effectiveness of BrainPOP (Executive Summary), 2008 Executive summary of the above report.

What Makes BrainPOP Effective?

Pedagogy reports describe current educational research from the field, and how BrainPOP incorporates that research into its functionality.

Equity in Learning with BrainPOP: Fostering Access and Impact for All, 2020 Details BrainPOP’s commitment to research-based design, illustrating how the development of the online educational platform is grounded in rigorous research about how people learn.
The Science Behind Ideaphora, 2015 Describes the research behind the design of BrainPOP’s Make-a-Map tool and Ideaphora.
Understanding Multimedia Learning, 2008 Describes the power of multimedia instruction and the research basis for BrainPOP’s approach to education.

How Does BrainPOP Work in Practice?

Case studies and pilot reports describe how BrainPOP’s flexibility and adaptability allow for its effectiveness in a range of different educational settings, from whole-class instruction to individualized learning.

BrainPOP ESL (now BrainPOP ELL) Pilot Report From iZone, 2017 A pilot study in New York City showing that BrainPOP ESL produced the strongest learning gains when independent student use of BrainPOP was paired with teacher facilitation.
BrainPOP ESL (now BrainPOP ELL) Pilot Report From Jordan, 2017 An international pilot study highlighting the ability of BrainPOP ESL to promote ELL skills amongst international students.
Visual Information is a Fundamental Element in Learning, 2015 Follows the implementation of several BrainPOP resources amongst teachers and students in Oakdale Jr. School in East London.
BrainPOP Supports a New Education Model, 2011 Shows how BrainPOP supports classrooms in a rural area of Haiti and demonstrates the power of educational technology for this community.
Improving Academic Success With BrainPOP, 2011 Reports on the use of BrainPOP at one of the most multicultural, multilingual schools in Canada.
Building Skill Mastery and Self-confidence Through BrainPOP, 2011 Identifies the ways in which BrainPOP helps students with learning challenges develop skill mastery and self-confidence.

How Do Games Support Learning?

This research focuses on the effectiveness of game-based learning both in general and as implemented on GameUp, BrainPOP’s platform for educational games.

Fluency Games and BrainPOP, 2017 Investigates the learning pathways that develop around two GameUp games made by Fluency Games.
A-GAMES Part 1: A National Survey, 2014 Report on a survey of BrainPOP teachers about their use of games in the classroom.
A-GAMES Part 2: Case Studies, 2015 Report on case studies showing teachers’ use of GameUp games in their classroom for formative assessment.
Optimizing Motivation and Learning With Large-Scale Game Design Experiments, 2014 Explores how to effectively design the game mechanics in Battleship Numberline on GameUp to foster learning and engagement.
Brain Points: A Growth Mindset Incentive Structure Boosts Persistence In an Educational Game, 2014 Describes how different game designs centered on fixed or growth mindsets affected gameplay and learning in Refraction on GameUp.
Teacher Attitudes About Games, 2012 Research on teacher attitudes about game-based learning, conducted by BrainPOP in partnership with the Cooney Center.
Video Case Studies About Gaming in the Classroom, 2012 A series of video case studies about game-based learning, conducted by BrainPOP in partnership with the Cooney Center.