Deanne Watt

Digital games have transformed childhood, offering immersive, creative, and social experiences that keep kids engaged for hours. Games like Minecraft Education, Roblox Education, and Prodigy are used in classrooms and homes alike, often marketed as learning tools. But as these platforms expand, a deeper question emerges: Are kids actually learning, or just playing with an educational wrapper? While exploration and fun are essential to motivation, unrestricted play can overshadow meaningful...

Equity and inclusion must be at the heart of innovation. While digital learning platforms have expanded access for many, they often fall short for neurodiverse learners and students with learning differences. True accessibility means meeting every child where they are, academically, cognitively, and emotionally. At ZillyPlanet, this mission is core to our design. With the release of our new Text-to-Speech (TTS) feature in beta, combined with personalized learning and scaffolded math content,...

Every child is unique, so why is so much of math education one-size-fits-all? In many classrooms, students are presented with identical worksheets and textbook examples, regardless of their background, interests, or learning preferences. But research and real-world experience tell us something different: personalization in math, especially using real-life scenarios tailored to a child's interests, significantly enhances learning outcomes. Whether a student loves basketball, animals, or...