Question

an experiment is designed to compare the differences in learning outcomes between learning math from s video game and learning it from traditional classroom activities. the experiment finds no difference between the two. what was the dependent variable

Answer 1

Answer: the dependent variable was the learning outcome.

Explanation:

1) The dependent variable is the variable that is explained by the indepent variable.

The dependent variable is not changed or fixed by the experiment, but it is a response from the change in the independent variable.

2) The independent variable is the variable that can be changed arbitrarily (inside the physical restrictions).

In this case, the variable that is changed at will of a part (may be the own will of the students or an imposition of the teacher, or other reason, it does not matter), is the kind of activity to learn: either learning from a video game or from traditional classroom activities).

Therefore, the independent variable is the kind of learning mode.

On the other hand, the learning outcome is the variable studied. The experiment is meant to determine how the learning outcome is related or explained by the kind of learning activity.

Therefore, the learning outcome is the dependent variable.

Answer 2

A dependent variable is the what is measured in the experiment. It is affected by changes in independent variables. 
In this experiment, independent variables are environments in which students learn. 
A dependent variable would be something that indicates how much math they learned in those two environments. 
This could be a number of questions answered on a test.