04/08/2026

TUESDAY | AUG 4, 2026

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Digital tools for special needs children KOTA BHARU: Digital learning and gamification are transforming the way children with special needs learn, helping them stay engaged, build confidence and better understand lessons tailored to their individual abilities. o Gamification and interactive technology help improve focus, motivation, communication and self-confidence, says education centre founder with autism, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental delays. “It helps with the learning process. The visual and interactive approach helps improve focus, understanding, communication skills and around specific learning outcomes. “Gamification allows students to learn through enjoyable experiences without compromising learning objectives.

She also credits the unwavering support of her husband, Khairie Asraf Khaidir, 33, throughout her journey. The couple have a son, Muhammad Khalif Adyan, who is just over a year old. A simple keychain takes about 15 minutes to complete, while an intricate wall hanging can require two to three days, depending on its size and complexity. Nur Anira said her six years as a floral adviser have helped sharpen her creativity, deepen her understanding of customers’ preferences and improve her ability to market her handmade products. “My creations have attracted the attention and admiration of visitors from Tunisia, India and France during exhibitions and craft fairs I participated in. It gives me confidence that Malaysian handicrafts have the potential to reach international markets, even though I have yet to receive orders from overseas.” Her handcrafted pieces are priced between RM10 and RM200 depending on the size and intricacy of the creations. Nur Anira hopes to open her own studio and workshop to share her skills and passion for macramé with other craft enthusiasts. - Bernama “Students do not merely play, but also solve problems, make decisions, repeat exercises and receive immediate feedback.” He said combining technology with structured gamification enables teachers to make lessons more meaningful. It also encourages special needs students to participate actively, develop essential skills and gain greater confidence in their own abilities.

self-confidence for those with special needs such as autism and ADHD.” Wan Zakaria described gamification as an educational method that incorporates game elements such as challenges, rewards, scores, achievement levels and immediate feedback into classroom activities. Unlike conventional games, he said, every activity is designed

Bizara education centre founder Wan Zakaria Wan Abu Bakar said technology should not be viewed merely as a classroom tool, but as a means of creating a more inclusive learning environment that caters to different learning styles. “For special needs students, this approach is highly significant as many of them are visual learners and require different forms of stimulation

Care Centre here yesterday. Wan Zakaria said interactive smartboards allow teachers to present lessons through pictures, videos, animations, simulations and touch-based activities, making learning more engaging and easier to understand. He said the approach is particularly beneficial for children

to maintain their attention when lessons are delivered interactively. “Technology serves as a medium to enhance teachers’ teaching processes, while gamification also helps improve motivation, attention span, memory retention and self-confidence when students successfully complete tasks,“ he told Bernama at the Bizara Inter

Graduate turns therapeutic craft into full-time business PASIR MAS: What began as a creative hobby has blossomed into a full-time business for Nur Anira Akmal Che Ab Aziz, who says every knot she ties in her macramé creations brings a sense of calm and purpose.

The 34-year-old Universiti Putra Malaysia graduate, who holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, has been running her macramé business full-time since 2022, transforming cords into handcrafted accessories and decorative pieces while pursuing a craft she describes as deeply therapeutic. Macramé is the art of creating decorative patterns by knotting cords or strings without the use of needles or specialised tools. Nur Anira fondly refers to the craft as her “cord of patience”, saying every piece demands precision, focus and perseverance. “When I focus on tying one knot after another, my mind becomes calmer. That’s why I see macramé as a form of therapy,“ she said when met in Bandar Lama Pasir Mas recently. She said although cords, scissors and decorative accessories are essential materials, creativity remains the most valuable element in every

Nur Anira with her macramé creations and other handmade items, including keychains, bracelets, phone straps, wall hangings and plant holders. – BERNAMAPIC

Today, Nur Anira produces a variety of handmade items, including keychains, bracelets, phone straps, wall hangings and plant holders, with many of her designs inspired by nature, particularly flowers and leaves.

found her true calling. “At first, I taught myself. There were many times when I had to untie and redo the knots after making mistakes, but the process taught me to be patient and never give up.”

macramé creation. Her interest in handicrafts began during her secondary school years, but it was only after discovering macramé through YouTube and Pinterest that she