This module serves as an introduction to how Roblox supports education. You'll learn what Roblox is as a platform, and how it can be used to promote creativity and 21st century skills.
By the end of this article, you will:
- Understand how Roblox is a platform that hosts games and virtual learning experiences.
- Know what it means to run Roblox, such as costs and hardware.
- Be able to articulate the unique advantages compared to other digital learning tools.
## What is Roblox?
You're probably here because you've heard about Roblox, and you have some questions. Such as, what is Roblox and how does it fit into my classroom?
### Overview
To start, Roblox is not a single game. It's a platform that hosts millions of user-generated **experiences**. Some examples include historical roleplaying games, or virtual labs to simulate physics experiments. Experiences are designed by Roblox users, who may be individual students or professional studios.
Three examples of experiences are included below.
Whether a class is playing or designing experiences, we have free lesson plans to support you. Our lesson plans are flexible, with many options for different ages, subjects, or time periods, such as a 45 minute workshop or a semester. Additionally, teaching with Roblox is accessible to all educators. You don't need prior experience in coding or game development to design or play experiences on Roblox.
### Costs
On Roblox, it's **free** to play, create, and publish experiences. You don't need to pay licensing fees to use Roblox or to publish a student's project.
There are a few optional features which are available for small fees paid in **Robux**, the currency used in all Roblox experiences. The most common expense for educators is a private server for playing online, which often averages about $1 (USD) per month. More information on private servers is covered later in the training.
| Software | Use case | Hardware requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Roblox Client | Visit experiences as a classroom | PC, Mac, Chromebook, mobile, and tablet devices. |
| Roblox Studio | Create or code your own experiences | PC or Mac, with recommended 2-button mouse with a scroll-wheel |
Students can primarily use Roblox to play or create. One method is using **virtual learning experiences** where students play on Roblox. They can go on virtual field trips, explore natural settings, and interact with simulations of real-world phenomena.
Additionally, Roblox can be used for **code and creation** with Roblox Studio. In Studio, students can design virtual environments or learn computer science with Luau, a text-based coding language similar to Python and Lua.
### Advantages of Roblox
**Roblox is free, accessible, and trusted by educators**
All the software and content for Roblox is free, whether you're a small coding camp or a large school district.
**Engage students and practice skills**
Widely popular among K-12 students, Roblox has unique opportunities for boosting classroom engagement.
- Engage students in subject-matter content such as history, or experience real-world concepts such as physics and the natural sciences.
- Support creativity by allowing students to design their own projects, or further skill building as they improve critical thinking abilities.
- Promote teamwork and communication as students interact in a multiplayer game world, or collaborate simultaneously on projects in Roblox Studio.
**We prioritize safety and privacy**
Roblox works with parents, educators, and digital safety experts to promote a welcoming environment for everyone. Our software includes features such as chat filters, private servers, and extensive content moderation. To learn more, and see information on compliance such as COPPA, see our Safety page.
---
Now that you've learned a bit about what Roblox is, in the next section, you'll visit an online Roblox experience. It'll be an interactive opportunity to learn more about Roblox, and become comfortable navigating a virtual world.