Some people see video games as counterproductive to schoolwork. However, the gaming industry has blurred the lines by incorporating valuable lessons and teaching skills. Roblox’s $10 million investment demonstrates how entertainment is helping kids learn outside school.
Roblox’s Educational Investments
The Roblox Corp. — Roblox’s developer — started with a $10 million investment in 2021. This sizable amount went to nonprofit organizations developing math- and science-focused games. With the funding, students can learn more about outer space, robotics, computer science and other critical sectors.
Following the 2021 investment, the Roblox Corp. has devoted an additional $15 million to its community fund. Company CEO David Baszucki said the partnerships aim to embrace student enthusiasm for working environments and their interest in STEM careers. Some investments include NASA and the Museum of Science in Boston.
Besides education, Roblox has prioritized teaching kids about emotions, mental health and other critical topics. Children can leverage the game as a tool to grow from real-life events and build character. Overall, the gaming company will aim to help kids with their education as much as entertainment.
How Roblox Can Benefit Students
Roblox is among the most popular games for school-age children, and its benefits could be helpful in the classroom. Eventually, they could pay off once students reach the workforce. Here are a few educational benefits of Roblox.
1. Creativity
When you think of creative gaming, you think of Minecraft and other sandbox titles. However, Roblox fits the bill because kids get to create entire worlds within its universe. The game lets kids express themselves and empower their imaginations, whether alone or with other users. With Roblox, children get their first opportunity at game design.
2. Critical Thinking
Developing critical thinking skills is essential at a young age. When you think through problems and foster solutions, you’re better off in the long run. Roblox fosters critical thinking by encouraging users to be creative and solve various challenges. You get vital perspectives when working with others.
3. Social Skills
Playing with others helps kids develop social skills and learn teamwork. Experts say 70% of people play video games with friends, so it’s standard to see co-op in Roblox. In the game, players have shared goals and must effectively communicate to achieve them. For example, you could work together to complete quests.
4. International Connections
While an American company developed Roblox, you can play with users from other countries. For instance, the game is popular in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Brazil and Russia. Players can learn more about different cultures and share tidbits from their own. Some kids have yet to travel internationally, so it’s a solid opportunity for connections.
5. STEM Knowledge
Creating games within Roblox requires coding knowledge, thus introducing kids to this skill at a young age. Students can learn computer science basics before entering high school and college classes. They also gain engineering knowledge by constructing buildings. Even if you watch somebody play Roblox, you absorb STEM lessons through gaming.
The Market for Educational Video Games
For decades, technology has gradually increased in classrooms. Now, you may start seeing Roblox and other educational video games helping children learn various skills. Experts say educational games will be worth $21.6 billion by 2031 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.7%.
Roblox is among the leaders of educational video games, and plenty of other opportunities exist. You can find value in popular titles like Super Mario Maker, The Oregon Trail and Animal Crossing. Even if a game isn’t directly related to learning, students can still learn about critical thinking and teamwork.
The Future of Roblox and Educational Video Games
Roblox is influential among school-age children, so its multimillion-dollar investment in education is significant. With these funds, nonprofits can help kids learn about biomedical sciences, robotics and other critical STEM subjects. If Roblox becomes more prominent in classrooms, kids can pick up hard and soft skills to help them later in life.