By: Associate Professor Dr. Intan Safinas Mohd Ariff Albakri
BESOUT, 30 January 2026 – Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) continues to strengthen its role as a driver of educational innovation through a successful Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) that introduced gamified digital learning into a rural secondary school English classroom.
Funded under UPSI’s Knowledge Transfer Programme grant, the initiative centred on ESLQuest, a gamified online English as a Second Language (ESL) platform developed by UPSI pre-service ESL teachers guided by UPSI academics implemented at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Felda) Besout. The programme led by Associate Professor Dr Intan Safinas Mohd Ariff Albakri, aimed to bridge the gap between university-based educational innovation and real classroom practice, particularly in schools with limited access to engaging digital learning materials.
Through a series of structured workshops, guided hands-on sessions, and classroom-based activities, English teachers were trained to integrate ESLQuest into lesson planning and instruction. The platform features interactive e-textbooks, skill-based activities, vocabulary games, and gamified tasks aligned with the lower secondary English curriculum.
The programme placed strong emphasis on practical pedagogical transfer rather than technical exposure alone. Teachers were guided on how to use gamification strategically to support student engagement, differentiated instruction, and formative assessment. As a result, participating teachers reported increased confidence and readiness to integrate digital tools into everyday classroom practice.
For students, ESLQuest transformed English lessons into a more relaxed, enjoyable, and motivating learning experience. Activities targeting Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary encouraged active participation while reducing the anxiety often associated with language learning. Students with different proficiency levels were able to progress at their own pace through guided and scaffolded digital tasks.
Beyond immediate learning outcomes, the ESLQuest Knowledge Transfer Programme contributed to a broader shift towards sustainable digital learning practices within the school. By equipping teachers with reusable digital resources and practical instructional strategies, the programme ensures that its impact extends beyond the project period.
Overall, the initiative highlights UPSI’s commitment to meaningful university–school collaboration and community engagement. The success of ESLQuest demonstrates the potential of gamified digital platforms as scalable and effective tools for enhancing English language teaching and learning, particularly in rural school contexts.