After much research, edu-tech startup Youthopia has come up with an online-learning platform to help young ones garner these skills so they can think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.

“When it comes to education, there is too much of an emphasis on academic results rather than a child’s ability to learn holistically,” Manu Menon, CEO and co-founder of Youthopia, tells FMT.

“Youthopia uses a hybrid approach to deliver the learning experience by using games to test critical-thinking skills, creativity, communication and collaboration.”

Manu says the idea to create a fun and effective platform with games that test critical thinking and resilience had been on his mind for many years until he formed the startup in 2019 and officially launched the platform last November.

Self-based learning

Youthopia is primarily geared towards kids between the ages of 10 – when a child’s capacity to build critical-thinking skills is reportedly heightened – and 16.

It encourages self-based learning through problem-solving games and interactive quizzes. The team collaborated with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim, Perak, on the framework.

“The platform offers different games that test different skills, each of which has been broken down into building blocks,” Manu explains.

One of the games tests a child’s ability to sequence their thoughts by requiring them to follow certain steps to create a product. If any step is missed, they would not achieve the end result.

Games like jigsaw puzzles are also offered to test a child’s ability to break a problem down into smaller pieces before finding a solution.

“In one problem-solving game, zombies are running after them and four people have to cross a bridge, but only two people can cross at the same time and each person takes a different time to cross.

“The children would need to come up with a quick calculation as to which solution works best before the zombies get them,” Manu says with a laugh.

To ensure a child progresses and does not keep playing at the same level, each game offers badges whenever they unlock a new level. This encourages and motivates the child to move on up and try something different.

“Parents are able to monitor their child’s progress using the parent dashboard on the platform, which displays the badges that the child has earned in each game.

“We also aim to introduce a social leaderboard by the end of the year with a top score that children can challenge themselves to beat while still building on their skills,” Manu says, adding that he hopes this will instil a healthy competitive spirit in the children.

Modules and online classes

Youthopia utilises a subscription model priced at RM36 a month, and users are able to access all the different forms of learning on the platform.

It also offers a free subscription option where users can log on and complete 15 different modules, with a new module added every month.

Taking into consideration the amount of time a child spends in front of a screen, Youthopia offers modules that are concise and engaging, which allows the child to unconsciously learn skills while having fun.

“Each module can be completed in under 10 minutes. We suggest a child spends 20 to 30 minutes on the platform a day,” says Manu, adding that, at this pace, parents will be able to see significant improvement within three months.

In June, Youthopia also introduced live online classes. Most classes only take 45 minutes, though there are some that take up to 12 hours, broken down across four days.

And while the games are mainly for children aged 10 and above, the live classes have been designed for younger children as well. “The core skills are still taught but have been toned down for the younger ones,” Manu says.

Activities include storytelling, which encourages creativity in the younger children by allowing them to come up with their own stories as well.

Manu says the team has received positive feedback from parents, who notice their children have become more confident since attending the online classes.

And although it has only been about a year since Youthopia officially launched, the platform has shown much growth. “We have around 1,000 users already signed up and using different tools on our platform, and our online workshops are slowly growing in numbers,” says Manu.

“Our mission is to give these core life skills the respect they need. We hope to touch three million students in the next three years, and see these kids go out there and utilise the skills they have learnt at Youthopia.”

Interested in signing up? Head on over to the Youthopia website to find out more.