Assalamualaikum Dear Readers,

As part of our Educational Psychology class, each of us was assigned into a group of 6. Each group were to draw a subject and we were lucky to get Pendidikan Islam as our subject J Following will be a review on an online learning activity site related to our subject (Pendidikan Islam). The site can be viewed at http://www.islamkids.my/ilearn/mylogin.html.

The mentioned website’s name is Islam Kids. It is suitable for kindergarten and primary school children. Even a one year old baby is encouraged to be exposed to this website. The ranges of age for this specific website are those between 1 to 10 years old. It is a very fun and interactive website that allows the users to be exposed and learn basics Islamic knowledge as a Muslim at a very early age. The basics are very important as foundations for children. It will be much easier for them to grasp and practice the knowledge as they grow up.

As everyone is aware, today we are living in a much sophisticated world with high technologies and other convenience around. The net has been very useful and bad at the same time, spreading messages and ideas vastly. It depends on individuals on which to choose. Information is easily accessed. It is always a click away. Given the Pendidikan Islam subject, we focus more on the Islamic aspects. Even the website is named after the religion and reflects on what group it focuses on. Kids are known to be easily attracted to colourful things. This page is much suitable and highly recommended for them as it was set up in a fun, interactive, personalised, advertisement-free and in a secure environment. It is said to be personalised because everyone is encouraged to register and login when they visit the page. Once registering yourself, you may interact with other peoples registered on the website. It may be seen like an Islamic social-networking page that is at the same time, knowledgeable. It gives benefit to those who registers.

They have divided the games for the different type of ages targeted. There are three groups which are 1 to 4 years old, 5 to 7 years old, and 8 to 10 years old. As Muslims, we are known to be the caliphs of Allah in this world. The page addresses those registered as Khalifah. Whether you have registered or not, you may be able to click on the “Free Activities” button. In the fun activities, there are games, lesson demo, printables and apps for iPhone users. The activities provided can also be printed out. Not only that, kids whose parents are iPhone users may download the apps and play it anytime. There are several other games that these kids are attracted to on iPhone, why not we play Islamic games that can also enhance our knowledge? J There are lessons such as my first Iqra’, Arabic, Wudhu’, Solat and many others. The instructions are quite clear and understandable for kids to digest.

There are payments for those who wish to subscribe the learning series. It may cost approximately RM 30 to RM 50 only, depending on the duration you subscribe it. Personally, it does not seem too expensive as the charge is acceptable with the various activities provided. However, it may be a burden for some parents as they may face some financial difficulties. Having an internet access is considered good enough, but to pay extra may seem a bit hard. The activities presented looks so interesting, yet are limited and need to be purchased to have a further view.  This may dishearten kids whose parents can’t afford to pay.

Anyway, let’s not focus too much on that part as there are more good things that can be gained rather than the not so good things from this website. Anything that may enhance our iman is good. I was attracted to the page from the very first time I encounter it. I could not wait to explore the content and also introduce it to my Uncle and Aunties. They surely need to have this for their children. May Allah grant those who created the website and have shared this creative and fun approach of learning with other fellow Muslims. I hope that other readers will have a view of the fun page and enjoy it like how I did!

Salam and peace to all.

Review done by: Nawal Ismahali (0913416)