LEARNStyle is a company that seeks to revitalize “education with interactive multimedia learning opportunities for anyone, anywhere, anytime.” The company was founded on the knowledge that people have different learning styles. Some weaknesses that students have in learning can be supported by assistive technology. They began seeking to assist special education teachers with instruction methods and have since spread this vision to all teachers. LEARNStyle develops school based plans for training for assistive technologies. The company is made up of over 42 employees, many of them having learning disabilities themselves or have personal experiences with learning disabilities.
Contents
Objectives
The three main goals behind LEARNStyle’s philosophy are to identify what each student’s learning style is, increase their self-esteem, and train them to be able to apply learning techniques on their own. LEARNStyle provides a two-day workshop to train teachers, administrators and support staff. Arts and physical education are an important part of LEARNStyle’s approach to education. Hands-on learning allows students to unleash their creativity by providing a stimulus to help them focus.
Learning Disabilities
It is crucial for educators of students with learning disabilities to determine the extent of support a student needs to understand basic concepts. Understanding the relationship between oral language, reading, and writing is an important aspect for finding solutions to a student’s learning challenges. Even though research has been done on effective approaches for teaching, these approaches are often not implemented. Many teachers believe that students with learning disabilities must be able to successfully use standard educational tools in order to be in a general education program. Learning disabilities are often seen as an obstacle to learning, but it is more helpful to look at learning disabilities as a stimulus for finding other methods of learning.
When adults who suffer with learning disabilities were given the opportunity to define learning disabilities, rather than simply accepting definitions from higher, self-appointed authorities, four themes were found. The first theme was “processing difficulties” which are difficult to clarify even for people who experience these difficulties themselves. The second theme was “specific functional limitations” including reading, writing, and mathematics. The third theme was “underachievement determination” which refers to the limitations that learning disabilities place on an individual’s ability to achieve their potential. The fourth and final theme was “learning disabilities as differences” in which some stated that their struggles were a result of ineffective teaching, not necessarily from their disability.
“Frequent, severe inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity are symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD). Treatment for learning disabilities like ADHD needs to be customized because every individual who has it has a unique experience with it.
Assistive Technologies
Using these technological tools in the classroom is intended to give students independence and increased self-esteem. They have a strong emphasis on building relationships with students. It is important for teachers to be self-reflective on their approach. LEARNStyle’s goal is to share instructional strategies with teachers who are accustomed to teaching for only one learning style. LEARNStyle is the first Canadian Google Certified training company. With this, they will be able to train and consult on Google Apps for Education all across Canada.
LEARNStyle has created an inventory App that identifies what learning method will be best for individual needs. The idea for this was inspired by CEO DJ Cunningham’s time in the military. They taught everything using all four learning styles, which made the concepts easier to grasp. The need for this app is great, because most Canadian classrooms only teach with the sequential learning style. Since only 15 percent of students learn best this way, other tools for learning are essential for the remaining students’ success. The Personal Use Learning Style Evaluation (PULSE) tool is used to determine a student’s primary learning styles through a game-like, web-based experience.
Assistive technologies are beneficial for the overall progress of society. 70 percent of young offenders in prison are believed to have learning disabilities. LEARNStyle is working to diminish this problem by assisting students, helping them learn and achieve academic goals. By working in areas known for criminal activity by young people, like the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, LEARNStyle is helping students gain confidence in their academic abilities so that they pursue education, rather than acting out.
DJ Cunningham, CEO
One of the founders of LEARNStyle, DJ Cunningham, has a significant learning disability himself. He was diagnosed with ADHD in grade 4. He has personally faced the challenges of struggling in school and being misunderstood as lazy or defiant. He was teased and embarrassed, feeling inadequate and stupid. When he attended Trent University, he discovered assistive technologies which gave him independence and academic success. Over the last ten years, DJ has been using assistive technologies himself and leading workshops to train teachers and students. He received the Spirit of Trent Award as an alumni who is making a difference in the community. DJ has come to a point in his life where he embraces challenge is now trying to revolutionize the education system.
As an entrepreneur working in the education field, a challenge that DJ faces is that any products that the company wants to sell must be fully developed. This can be a long process and it is important for the company to manage finances well through this time.
DJ has spoken at numerous events, including the Lambton Kent District School Board’s assistive technology camp called Great Big SEA (Special Education Amount). Grade 8 students who are transitioning into high school attend the camp to prepare to use assistive technologies to help them learn. DJ brings a perspective to the students that other leaders who do not struggle with learning disabilities cannot (observer). Showing students a real example of how they can overcome learning disabilities with assistive technologies gives them hope (observer). DJ makes the impossible possible for some student and asks them to dream big.