The Metro: New study shows “gamified learning” could improve youth literacy

Julia Dexter of Shoelace Learning joined the show to discuss how gamified learning can improve reading skills in students.

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Reading is one of the most beneficial life skills one can have. It opens up so much: economic opportunity, quality of life, lifelong learning, personal expression.

But reading abilities for students in America aren’t where they should be. One third of eighth graders nationwide test below the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ basic reading level, often referred to as the nation’s report card. 

But a new pilot study by the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute and Shoelace Learning shows promise for “gamified learning” as an effective reading intervention.

Julia Dexter is the Founder of Shoelace Learning, an education platform that developed the games used in the pilot study. She spoke with The Metro‘s Senior Producer David Leins about how gamified learning can improve reading skills in students.

Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2025.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

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Authors

  • John Filbrandt
    Jack Filbrandt is an assistant producer on WDET's daily news, arts and culture program, The Metro. He grew up on Lake Michigan and has called Detroit home for seven years. He's also a Detroit Documenter, covering local government meetings in the city. He previously worked for Wayne State's student newspaper, The South End, and The Battering Ram.
  • David Leins is the senior producer of WDET’s daily news and culture program, The Metro. He has produced several award-winning podcasts and multimedia series at WDET including Tracked and Traced, Science of Grief and COVID Diaries, which earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation. He previously led WDET’s StoryMakers program. David has an M.A. in Media Arts and Studies from Wayne State University, and a B.A. in anthropology from Grand Valley State University with a minor in Arabic. David teaches podcasting at Wayne State University and is an alumnus of the Transom Audio Storytelling Workshop.
  • The Metro