Top Ways #WinAtSocial Supports Students with Learning Differences
It’s very common for teachers to have multiple students in their class with learning differences and over 63% of U.S. schools have adopted policies or educational materials to support these students and promote student learning and well-being.
Promoting student well-being and providing inclusive environments for students with different learning styles is essential for student success because it builds self-awareness, academic achievement, and positive behavior. These traits are important because they allow students to succeed in and out of the classroom. It has even been shown to cause an increase of 11 percentile points in academic scores and attendance!
Here at The Social Institute, we support students of all learning styles and backgrounds to build important modern life skills and coping techniques through our gamified peer-to-peer platform #WinAtSocial. #WinAtSocial isn’t like traditional lecture-based lessons that might be restrictive to the learning process of students with learning differences—it’s interactive! Students can collaborate with their peers and teachers to explore real-life situations to build positive, high-character skills.
How #WinAtSocial supports students with learning differences
#WinAtSocial supports students with learning differences by equipping them with skills to navigate the real world with a collaborative, peer-to-peer, and gamified approach. In one survey, over 98% of teachers running #WinAtSocial Lessons observed active participation in the classroom, even from students who are usually quiet or reserved.
Our Lessons also include multisensory aids like visuals and auditory elements that help students connect better with the material, making it easier to understand and engage with. With each lesson, students gain valuable skills in a way that’s dynamic, engaging, and fully supportive of diverse learning needs. #WinAtSocial emphasizes the importance of supporting students with learning differences by using an engaging, collaborative approach with students instead of a “one-size-fits-all”.
#WinAtSocial’s Lessons also build self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, social skills, and self-advocacy, while promoting resilience and positive behavior for students with learning differences. This helps students with learning differences build stronger relationships with their educators and peers, and foster positive relationships out of the classroom as well.
Here’s how #WinAtSocial helps build these skills:
Fosters Self-Awareness:
- Helps students recognize their strengths and challenges, allowing those with learning differences to understand their unique needs and build self-confidence.
Builds Emotional Regulation:
- Teaches strategies for managing frustration and anxiety, which can be particularly helpful for students with learning differences who may face academic or social challenges.
Encourages Empathy:
- By promoting understanding and empathy, character development helps create an inclusive classroom environment where students with learning differences feel supported by peers and teachers.
Develops Social Skills:
- Enhances communication and interpersonal skills, helping students with learning differences build positive relationships and navigate social situations more effectively.
Supports Self-Advocacy:
- Students learn how to express their needs, ask for help, and advocate for accommodations that support their learning.
Enhances Focus and Attention:
- Modern life skills, such as mindfulness, can help students with learning differences develop greater focus, concentration, and self-discipline, which are critical for academic success.
Promotes Resilience
- Teaches coping strategies and resilience, enabling students with learning differences to bounce back from setbacks and persist through challenges.
Encourages Positive Behavior:
- Reinforces the development of positive behavioral patterns, helping students with learning differences navigate school environments with fewer disruptions.
Improves Executive Functioning:
- Helps with time management, organization, and goal-setting—skills that are often areas of difficulty for students with learning differences.
Builds a Growth Mindset:
- Encourages a growth mindset, helping students with learning differences understand that effort and perseverance can lead to improvement and success, regardless of their challenges.
How #WinAtSocial stands out from other platforms designed for learning differences
In addition to prioritizing student engagement and lesson material relevance, #WinAtSocial is crafted with direct input from students, teachers, and experts through feedback and questionnaires, ensuring that lessons are not only effective but also genuinely engaging for diverse learners. This unique approach meets the needs of students with learning differences by creating a relatable, inclusive learning environment. This commitment is reflected in both the content and delivery of each lesson, creating an environment where all students can relate to and engage with the material meaningfully.
Here are strategies #WinAtSocial uses to support students:
#WinAtSocial is snicker-tested:
- We believe in listening to and uplifting student voices so students can get the most from each lesson
- Lessons focus on engaging students by collaborating and huddling with peers instead of just giving lectures or worksheets
- #WinAtSocial’s engaging, inclusive approach benefits students with learning differences because it increases active participation and information retention.
#WinAtSocial listens to students:
- Students complete an anonymous Kickoff Questionnaire every year with #WinAtSocial to provide top trends on how social media and technology are impacting their learning and well-being
- Students huddle with their peers as they navigate lessons and voice questions and thoughts to teachers
Interested in learning more about how The Social Institute can help promote student well-being and support students of all learning backgrounds in your classroom? Read our white paper, Evidence-based & Effective: Building essential life skills in K-12 education by addressing social media, tech, and trending events.
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.