How Roblox turns play into an interactive learning experience
Technology could provide students with opportunities to explore knowledge in a more creative, interactive and enjoyable way.
SINAR DAILY REPORTER
SHAH ALAM - Exploring new worlds, completing missions and answering quizzes may be associated with gaming, but the same activities are increasingly being used to make learning more interactive for children.
National astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha said the creative use of technology could help make education more relevant and engaging for younger generations.
He said technology could also provide students with opportunities to explore knowledge in a more creative, interactive and enjoyable way.
The use of Roblox as a learning medium offers an alternative approach in which students are encouraged to explore, experiment and complete challenges rather than simply receive information.
The idea is to move beyond learning through conventional quizzes, with the gaming environment itself becoming part of the learning experience.
The approach was highlighted through two educational games namely the PKSK Onboard: Misi Ke Asrama Penuh and Jejak Wahyu, which were launched at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) in Kuala Terengganu, recently.
D’Blox Malaysia founder Muhammad Danial Iman Azlan Suhaimi, 22, who was involved in developing the games said one of the challenges was creating an environment that would encourage students to voluntarily explore information.
“Building a space filled with information is easy. What is difficult is building a space that makes students want to enter, explore and read,” he said.
Danial, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics said learning did not have to take place solely through quizzes, but could happen throughout the player’s experience.
The approach, he said, allows children to discover information actively, while quizzes are used to reinforce their understanding.
In PKSK Onboard: Misi Ke Asrama Penuh, players navigate a space-themed environment involving missions and exploration, while Jejak Wahyu uses an adventure format based on Sirah across eight chapters.
The use of Roblox also reflects how educational content can be adapted to platforms that are already familiar to many young people. The platform can be accessed through smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming consoles.
Educationists have increasingly looked towards interactive technology to complement traditional teaching methods, particularly as children become more accustomed to learning and engaging with information through digital platforms.
Rather than replacing conventional learning, game-based approaches can provide another way for children to develop curiosity, problem-solving skills and understanding by allowing them to learn through participation and exploration.
Meanwhile, Fly High Education Centre founder Wan Rafidah Wan Ali said the objective of the programme was to make learning more engaging and relevant to younger generations by encouraging them to explore, experiment and build their knowledge and confidence in a fun environment.
"Innovation in education is essential to ensure that learning methods remain relevant to the way younger generations receive and explore information," she said.
The Roblox-based games were developed through a collaboration between Fly High Education Centre and D’Blox Malaysia, with the initiative being showcased during a two-day workshop attended by more than 250 Year Five and Year Six students preparing for the Pentaksiran Kemasukan Sekolah Khusus (PKSK).
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