Evaluators: Danielle, Rebekah, and Alicia
What is Roblox? Roblox is an online platform for players to create games or play games other people have created, explore virtual worlds, and socialize with friends (or strangers).
Rules – Roblox has a set of Community Standards for all players as they interact with the many games and other players that are accessible on the platform. These community standards are broken into three categories; Safety, Civility & Respect, Fairness & Transparency, and Security & Privacy. Overall, Roblox encourages its community members, known as Robloxians, to “treat everyone with respect, both on and off of Roblox.
Objective – Roblox’s objective is to “build the metaverse: a space for people to adventure, experience, and explore.” It is a global community and Roblox wants to “ensure everyone feels welcome and safe and is treated with kindness and respect.”
Evaluation of the game using Gee’s 16 principles:
- Identity- Players are able to build their avatar according to their own preferences. With Robux, players can purchase add-ons that further individualize their avatar. Due to the nature of virtual games, players can be anyone they want to be while playing Roblox!
- Interaction- In Roblox games, there is a chat function where players may interact with one another. Each game is different, but in some of the games I tried playing, there were rules presented to me along the way. As I approached new stages or levels, new challenges were introduced.
- Production – While there are many games available for play, some players choose to create and publish their own.
- Risk Taking – Most games on this platform have a “checkpoint” feature, which allows players to reattempt portions of the game by trial and error. Users have the ability to take risks knowing there isn’t too much to lose.
- Customization – Players can customize their avatars, they can create their own groups to play games, and they can create their own ”place” in the Roblox Studio. This “place” is similar to minecraft, where players have their own land and structures to personalize. The studio is where users can learn how to alter, edit, and design in their space and eventually their own game. Some games have different characters you can choose to play and you can customize their outfit in that specific game.
- Agency – The players who choose to create their own games for others to play gain a strong sense of ownership and control over their own creation. For example, in “Theme Park Tycoon 2”, the owner has control over what they are doing and creating within the boundaries of the game. There are many creative features to adjust and explore within the game.
- Well-Order Problems- There are levels or “stages” in games that are built on by prior stages. In Cotton Obby, for example, you learn to navigate on the first platform and all following platforms become more and more difficult to navigate. The skills are being built upon in each stage.
- Challenge and Consolidation – You die in every game but there is the option to restart at the checkpoints you have passed.
- “Just in Time” or “On Demand”- There is very little in the way of instruction or direction when you start a game, though in some of the games played, a character will tell you the directions for the level/stage you are currently working on. In other games, you can click a button that will allow you to read about game play upon your request only.
- Situated Meanings – In “Scuba Diving at Quill Lake,” there are many places to explore and new vocabulary to learn throughout the game. Players can choose different areas to explore. Each area has specific landmarks, gear, and vocabulary for players to understand. The vocabulary is repeated and reinforced through images and actions within the game. This makes it very applicable and meaningful for players to explore and understand.
- Pleasantly frustrating- Elements of this game can be frustrating, like not having control of your character or not being able to complete the task. You do “die” during the game, but then you come back to life and can try again. If a game is too frustrating, you are able to exit the game and find a different one to play. Some are much easier than others.
- System thinking – Roblox has its own in-game currency called Robux, you can earn by creating games or by purchasing a gift card or subscription, which can be used to buy membership access to the Builders Club. With this, players can customize their character, known as an avatar, and improve their experiences in the game. Players engage in an exploration of Robux and what they create on the platform. How can they make money from what they create?
- Explore, think laterally and rethink- Players can explore a variety of games, experiences, and skills. Since there are secrets hidden in games, players are encouraged to explore the entire map or capacity of the game before moving on.
- Smart tools and distributed knowledge – Within the Roblox Studio, users design and interact with smart tools to create their own space. Users can design using Geometric or Physical planes, where you can account for collisions and other technical considerations.
- Cross functional teams – Players can play games with other users they invite, or with anyone on the platform. Depending on the game, players have certain tasks to complete or roles to assume.
Performance before competence – Players can play any game on the platform before they ever decide to attempt to create their own game. Most games are exploratory and require players to navigate and explore the content before interacting with the game specifically.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Assessment
Reflection:
What are the barriers to the game?
- The game has a Roblox Studio where each user can customize their own “place.” No navigation tutorial is provided.
- Most customizable options or games require players to make a purchase.
- Lack of prior knowledge about the game.
- Only offered on computer, ipad, or cell phone. On the cell phone, you can’t play certain games.
- You have to move the camera with a mouse and utilize the keyboard/space bar to walk and jump.
- Anybody can talk to you in Roblox unless you specifically block users in settings.
Who may be excluded?
- There are many free games available on Roblox, but there are also games that come at a cost which can be exclusive
- This game is attractive to all genders (in one class of 26 second graders, 10 boys and 8 girls play Roblox on a daily basis as opposed to Minecraft where 8 boys and 1 girl play daily). Also, when signing up, the gender selection is optional.
How does the game foster creative and critical thinking?
- Players can create their own games.
- Choose your own adventure- There are endless games available to players! This allows for players to choose their preferred level of challenge.
- Youtubers and other content makers make movies and simulations of their houses on Roblox.
- There are secrets hidden throughout different games.
- When players choose to create their own game, there are many creative features to choose from. The creator has the freedom to design his/her own game. The challenge is to make their design more desirable and attractive for more players to join and participate.
What skills are being activated?
- If a player chooses to create their own virtual game, they will be required to code
- Communication – with other players in the game or members of the roblox community.
- Creativity
- Resilience
How will I know if learning is taking place?
- Leveling up – Players show they have gotten better at a game or have improved certain skills when they level up in a game.
- Collaboration – Players develop interpersonal skills as they participate and strategize in games with others.
- Coding – Users with effective code have playable games. Also, users show learning by troubleshooting their code.
Changes my students would make to Roblox:
- If you get stuck in a game – there should be a way to keep going.
- How people can troll in games.
- The ability to choose different characters.
This is a very good description on how the game responds to the 16 principles. When I heard second graders say Roblox I thought they meant “roadblocks” I honestly thought this game was similar to minecraft. Thank you for sharing team! For sure this is new learning!
“There is very little in the way of instruction or direction when you start a game”
I think some gamers would appreciate the self-learning process when not given instructions on how you’re “supposed” to play the game or a specific game within the game. It seems like Roblox is fairly simple so learning through exploring seems to be very possible.
I completely agree, though as a nongamer it was a little confusing! When I wrote this in the evaluation, it wasn’t intended as a negative observation. It was just highlighting that the information is available/ accessible but not required!
Wow Alicia! I really liked how you tied the 16 principles to your game! Very well defined. I also liked the short and brief introduction, it gave me an overview or glimpse of how Roblox works. Neat job!
Well played, Alicia!
I think this game absolutely includes UDL. There are several factors that give students autonomy to stimulate their creativity, in particular. Before your blog post, I had only known that people used roblox commercially with bitcoins or stocks. It was an opportunity to see a positive aspect of education with this game.
Well played, Alicia!
I think this game absolutely includes UDL. There are several factors that give students autonomy to stimulate their creativity, in particular. Before your blog post, I had only known that people used roblox commercially with bitcoins or stocks. It was an opportunity to see a positive aspect of this game in regard to education.
This was a great blog post. I liked how you explained everything about the game, especially the 16 principles and the barriers.
I was reading more about this game because my son has mentioned it. And of course, I go into mom mode and check everything there is to know about the game before I let my son explore. I came across a couple of reviews. The Common Sense Media review recommends it for children 13 or above. So second graders should not be playing it. That was my first red flag for my son. But I also came across other information from parents. And they were mentioning that basically anyone can speak with your child (so another red flag) and that your child could come across other people’s worlds. And that people can create “sex scenes” or violent scenes that anyone could watch. SO of course, I am not allowing my son to play this any time soon. I just feel like for games, especially online games, we really have to check and make sure they are kid-friendly before we allow our students or children to play with them. Just wanted to share my findings.
Hi Andrea!
Thank you for sharing your findings. I am not a mother and I cannot imagine the amount of decisions you need to make on a daily basis about how best to protect your child! I respect your decision of shielding him from some of the things he could potentially be exposed to on Roblox.
Wearing my teacher hat, it is something that my students have a GREAT interest in as they have freedom to express themselves and play games that are of high interest to them. It is an outlet that I’m glad they have, as they are beginning to learn code (so important, in my opinion!). I was confused about how to play at first, so some of the students helped me navigate and I was so impressed with their knowledge of how to control these things. It’s wildly different than when I was a kid, but even as a kid without internet, I too was exposed to more than I should have been if I wasn’t being monitored by my parents. I think with parent monitoring, I am fully on board with all of the things that Roblox offers to these kids.