CARLOS RAYMUND M.

TUMARONG VI-SSES NEWTON

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

“Many students today spend a significant amount of their leisure time playing Roblox, a popular

online gaming platform that allows users to create, explore, and interact within virtual worlds.

Because of its interactive nature, Roblox has been associated not only with entertainment but also

with the potential to develop essential cognitive skills among its players. This review of related

literature therefore explores whether Roblox can contribute to the enhancement of students’ problem-

solving skills by examining studies on online games, digital learning, and the role of interactive

platforms in fostering critical thinking and creativity.”

According to Gee (2003), video games provide structured environments where players are

continuously exposed to problem-solving tasks that require analysis, experimentation, and

adaptation. In his study on learning principles embedded in video games, Gee explained that games

are designed around challenges that increase in complexity, forcing players to think critically and

strategically to succeed. This learning process mirrors real-world problem-solving, where individuals

must identify a problem, test possible solutions, and adjust when faced with failure. By engaging

students in these interactive experiences, online games create opportunities to strengthen analytical

and decision-making skills, suggesting their potential value as educational tools. According to

Prensky (2011), digital games are powerful learning platforms because they foster persistence,

resilience, and creativity among students. Prensky emphasized that the nature of games—where

failure is not final but instead a step toward improvement—encourages learners to develop a growth

mindset. This process helps students refine strategies and think outside the box when solving

complex tasks. Furthermore, the immediate feedback provided by games enables players to evaluate

their choices and outcomes in real time, which is essential in improving problem-solving abilities. This

demonstrates how online games can move beyond entertainment to support the acquisition of critical

cognitive and problem-solving skills in learners. According to Hamari, Shernoff, Rowe, Coller, Asbell-

Clarke, and Edwards (2016), game-based learning enhances both motivation and cognitive

engagement, particularly in areas related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

(STEM). Their research revealed that when students are actively engaged in solving problems within
digital games, they show improved critical thinking, creativity, and knowledge application compared to

traditional learning methods. Games require students to approach problems systematically, analyze

data, and experiment with solutions—skills that are transferable to academic and real-life problem-

solving situations. This evidence supports the notion that online games can serve as effective

supplements to formal education by fostering deeper learning experiences. According to Granic,

Lobel, and Engels (2014), online games provide cognitive, emotional, and social benefits, especially

in developing problem-solving and strategic thinking. Their findings show that many games present

players with complex and dynamic environments where collaboration, adaptability, and quick

decision-making are crucial. For example, multiplayer online games often require teamwork,

communication, and shared strategies to overcome challenges, which in turn fosters critical and

creative thinking. These experiences go beyond surface-level skills by preparing students to handle

uncertainty, evaluate multiple perspectives, and generate innovative solutions—abilities that are

central to problem-solving in both academic and everyday contexts. According to Connolly, Boyle,

MacArthur, Hainey, and Boyle (2012), serious and educational games are effective in promoting

critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Their systematic review of game-based

learning highlighted that games create interactive environments where learners must test

hypotheses, make decisions under pressure, and reflect on the consequences of their actions. Unlike

passive forms of learning, games immerse students in active problem-solving scenarios, which

enhances retention and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings. This indicates that online

games can not only improve academic performance but also equip students with lifelong skills that

are crucial for adapting to modern challenges. Overall, the literature suggests that online games,

including platforms such as Roblox, have strong potential to enhance students’ problem-solving

abilities. By providing interactive, feedback-driven, and collaborative environments, these games

create opportunities for learners to practice critical thinking and apply knowledge in meaningful

contexts. This body of research supports the idea that integrating online games into students’

experiences can contribute positively to their academic growth and the development of essential life

skills. Han, Liu, and Gao (2023) conducted a systematic review of 40 empirical studies to explore

how Roblox has been used as a learning environment in the Metaverse. Their findings indicate that
Roblox is widely applied in socialized teaching. The platform has been shown to increase student

motivation, improve attitudes toward learning, and foster collaborative learning opportunities.

However, the study also identified several challenges, such as safety concerns like cyberbullying,

weak cybersecurity, and the absence of well-designed instructional scaffolding. Byun, Moon, and Sun

(2023) introduced a framework where students engage in constructionist learning by designing and

creating games within Roblox. Instead of merely playing, learners used custom plugins to build their

own virtual experiences, which required them to design, troubleshoot, and refine their creations. The

researchers argue that this kind of constructionist approach can significantly enhance computational

thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Their preliminary results suggest that students are

more engaged when they actively create content rather than passively consume it. Sun, Chou, and

Yu (2022) investigated the relationship between digital game experience and problem-solving

performance among 267 Taiwanese elementary school students. Using the PISA (Programme for

International Student Assessment) framework, the researchers assessed students’ problem-solving

abilities in relation to the amount of time they spent playing digital games. Results showed that

students with more gaming experience achieved higher scores in problem-solving assessments,

suggesting a positive correlation between digital gaming and cognitive development. Additionally, the

study emphasized the role of self-regulated learning strategies—such as motivation, planning, and

monitoring. Thapliyal and Dasgupta (2021) conducted a literature-based analysis on how video

games influence the development of real-world problem-solving skills. Their review highlighted that

video games present players with complex scenarios, immediate feedback, and multiple possible

strategies, all of which simulate real-life problem-solving situations. The study argued that such

experiences allow players to practice decision-making, adaptability, and strategic thinking in a safe

virtual environment. However, the authors also noted inconsistencies in how problem-solving is

defined and measured across different studies, which makes it difficult to generalize results.

In conclusion, Roblox can help students develop problem-solving skills by giving them challenges

that require critical thinking and strategy. The platform also allows students to design and create their

own games, which improves creativity and computational thinking. Studies show that playing Roblox
encourages teamwork and collaboration, as many tasks need group effort to succeed. However, it is

also learned that issues such as cyberbullying and lack of proper guidance can limit its educational

value. Overall, Roblox has strong potential as a learning tool that supports both problem-solving skills

and academic growth.