Shoelace Learning

Gaming for good: Improving literacy and learning in a digital world 

According to Shoelace Learning, more than 50% of students are not proficient in reading and comprehension by the time they reach high school, creating a literacy crisis requiring innovative solutions.

One such solution came from Halifax’s Julia Dexter.

When her son showed signs of reading difficulties, Dexter knew something had to be done to improve comprehension and get students engaged. And so, Shoelace Learning was born.

“Finding ways to get education to kids that are reluctant readers to begin with is tricky. It’s hard to expect kids to get motivated in education when they have so much rich media available to them daily.”

Bridging the digital gap in education

The solution was educational mobile games – “Dreamscape” and “Dreamseeker Drift.” Both follow the same content and adapt to reflect students’ reading levels.

“Kids love to play. We deliver learning content they need to master for school,” says Dexter.

This game-based learning approach is a part of the company’s initiative to get kids to want to learn and complete assignments. “I think technology is really just a piece of the learning journey,” Dexter explains.

Empowerment through automation

Teachers can assign tasks through the site’s assignment library and monitor student progress through reports. They can have the system assign specific practice to address skill gaps with “My Coach,” all through an adaptive learning system.

The platform delivers personalized and adaptive learning that aligns with each learner’s level of skill. “Automation opens the door for teachers to do what they should be doing, which is coaching kids to really get them engaged in their curriculum.”

When kids play, they cannot see their level. Dexter calls this “Stealth.” The feature promotes a stress-free learning environment, in which students can feel confident in their skills.

Dexter puts the concept into perspective, “If you pick a level 12 book and I pick a level 5 and we’re friends, it’s embarrassing for me to not be at your level. We know this causes kids to lose confidence, and once confidence is lost, it’s exceptionally hard to motivate them to read”.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) recognized the value of supporting education initiatives early, assisting Dexter since 2015 in her previous venture and first learning platform – Squiggle Park. ACOA is proud to have been able to support Shoelace Learning from the beginning, allowing the company to drive research, conduct experimental development, and expand its number of employees.

“Working with ACOA is really nice. I feel like our account manager truly understands our company and strategy and is keen to get updated,” says Dexter.

Growing in Atlantic Canada

As a native Ontarian, Dexter feels she’s now found her place in Nova Scotia “I feel very lucky that we can live and do business here.”

Since its start in 2020, more than 7 million users have registered in more than 100 countries. Ninety percent of users live in the United States and Dexter mentioned an acute need to support English literacy in the U.S.

Building on the impressive growth, Dexter hopes to reach new markets.

“We do have a real desire to come back to Canada, and really focus on growing a strong customer base here.”.

To support this goal, an efficacy study being conducted in partnership with the University of Calgary will help the company expand within the Canadian market.

Dexter hopes to soon see Shoelace Learning in classrooms around the country.

“To be able to really help kids in our own backyard, that'd be so great. Truly full circle for me,” she continues. “We are recognized globally as a leader in EdTech innovation and now hope to work with the Boards of Education in Canada to really support kids in our country with the Shoelace technology. It is world class tech, founded and built right here in Atlantic Canada.”