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At Shoelace Learning, our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity is unwavering. We understand the critical role of thoughtful design and adaptive play in supporting diverse learners, particularly those receiving special education services. Our innovative educational games, Dreamscape and Dreamseeker Drift, are at the forefront of this mission, helping to enhance learning outcomes for all students.
Our games have demonstrated a significant impact on student learning outcomes. Through rigorous gameplay, Dreamscape and Dreamseeker Drift provide engaging and personalized learning experiences that cater to the unique needs of each student. During a Spring 2024 pilot with Chinook’s Edge School Division, classrooms that implemented Shoelace with fidelity saw an increase equivalent to 2-3 months’ progress in students’ Reading Comprehension Level in just eight weeks. The adaptive learning pathways within our games ensure that each student is challenged appropriately, promoting continuous growth and development.
Our platform is designed to meet a wide range of accommodations, ensuring that all students have equal access to educational content. For instance, Shoelace includes features such as text-to-speech for academic content to support students with visual impairments and reading difficulties. These accommodations have been crucial in helping students stay engaged and motivated, leading to better retention and comprehension of the material.
Educators have effectively utilized various adaptations to enhance the learning experience for students with special needs. A recent focus group of special education teachers showed that 100% of them found Shoelace to enhance the learning experience for students with special needs. 60% of them reported that the platform easily interweaved alongside other accommodations to create comprehensive systems of support for students.. They also used the game’s visual aids and interactive elements to simplify complex concepts, making them more accessible to students with cognitive disabilities. These adaptations have enabled teachers to deliver high-quality special education that is tailored to each student’s needs.
Students have also embraced the adaptations available within our games. A study of the last school year suggests that a majority of students use the customizable avatars and interactive environments to create a more personalized and engaging learning experience. The ability to control game settings and use the Text To Speech (TTS) for passages and questions has empowered students to learn at their own pace and in a way that suits their individual preferences. This flexibility has been particularly beneficial for students with attention deficits and other learning challenges.
Teacher feedback has been invaluable in our continuous effort to improve our platform. We developed the differentiated tiering of Shoelace content, the use of assignments immediately post direct instruction and similar features to support accommodations educators make in the classroom. Educators have highlighted the positive impact of our games on student engagement and learning outcomes. They have also provided insights into additional features and accommodations that could further enhance accessibility. For example, based on teacher recommendations, we are exploring the integration of more advanced assistive technologies such as providing in-game dictionaries, the use of timers to establish practice timeframes, and better direct control by educators of their students’ RCLs (Reading Comprehension Levels).
Shoelace Learning is dedicated to complying with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, to an AA conformance level. This commitment ensures that our platform is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. By constantly striving to follow these guidelines, we aim to create an inclusive educational environment where every student can thrive. Through our games, we also aim to be leaders in setting the standard for accessibility in rich-world games.
At Shoelace Learning, we are constantly striving to improve our platform and games to better support the needs of all learners. Our focus on accessibility, accommodations, and adaptations reflects our commitment to inclusivity and our dedication to enhancing learning outcomes. As Shoelace and our games become part of educators’ reading toolkits everywhere, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, accessible educational solutions that empower students and support educators.
By integrating feedback from our pilot districts and continuously refining our offerings, we are well-positioned to meet the needs of schools and districts across the country. Our innovative games, Dreamscape and Dreamseeker Drift, are more than just educational tools; they are powerful resources that help create a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.