EduActive: Designing an Interactive and Gamified Learning Platform for Early Learners

Abstract

The growing reliance on technology in education has created persistent gaps, particularly for early learners and students with visual impairments who remain underserved by existing e-learning platforms. Common challenges include limited subject coverage, lack of engaging content, poor accessibility, and overly complex interfaces that overwhelm young users. This study addresses these concerns through the development of EduActive, an AI-powered interactive and gamified e-learning platform designed specifically for early learners. The platform was developed with three primary objectives: (1) to implement an AI-driven voice command system that reduces reliance on guardian assistance for visually impaired students when navigating and engaging with the platform; (2) to incorporate gamification elements including badges, points, and streak tracking that transform lessons into motivating and enjoyable experiences; and (3) to provide a broad yet age-appropriate range of subjects that build a strong educational foundation for young learners. This study employed a developmental research design combined with an Agile-based methodology, allowing iterative cycles of planning, design, development, testing, and evaluation. The system was built using React.js for the frontend, Node.js with Express.js for backend operations, and SQLite for database management, with Firebase handling user authentication and session control. The Web Speech API and Speech Synthesis API were integrated to power the platform's voice command and text-to-speech features without relying on third-party services. The platform covers core subjects including Mathematics, Science, English, and Filipino, each featuring animated lesson content and structured quizzes. Evaluation conducted in a controlled environment involving early learners and their guardians demonstrated that the platform's voice command and text-to-speech features significantly reduced the level of guardian assistance required for visually impaired students to navigate and interact with the system. Gamification elements positively influenced learner engagement and motivation, while the subject variety supported a well-rounded early learning experience. The findings affirm that EduActive presents a viable and inclusive model for early childhood digital education, offering a practical approach to minimizing accessibility barriers for visually impaired learners in developing-country contexts.