2020 Best Practice Prize – Dybuster
Turning learning problems into strengths
Basic reading, writing, and math competencies are essential to be able to participate in modern societies. Aptitude is even more important in higher education settings and higher-paying jobs. Yet up to 15% of the population have problems learning to read, write, and spell, and 5% have trouble developing maths concepts, despite having average or above-average intelligence. These learning disabilities impact an individual’s general academic progress which can lead to lifelong disadvantages and social-economic consequences.
Dybuster, a Swiss-based EdTech provider, offers online learning solutions that target a range of different learning disabilities. For example, children with dyslexia have trouble with reading and spelling, and children with dyscalculia find forming mathematical concepts difficult. Dybuster supports these children and their educators with individually adapted learning that automatically adjusts to the strengths and weaknesses of each student. Students can practice in or out of school, and teachers can monitor their progress in detail to make more effective and less time-consuming interventions.
In a COVID-19 world, Dybuster supports consistent, high-quality, and individually targeted learning in mobile, isolated, and socially-distanced classroom environments. Children can use Dybuster independently, meaning they do not need to rely on a teacher being present at all times to make progress.
Dybuster started in 2006 in Zurich. Today, thousands of children around the world improve their spelling and math, including children with learning difficulties, with Dybuster tools. Studies confirm children show quantifiable improvement using Dybuster’s Orthograph for reading and writing, and Calcularis for math.
The Jacobs Foundation Board of Trustees recognizes Dybuster’s exceptional efforts to promote learning abilities of dyslexic and dyscalculic children by providing software solutions based on artificial intelligence and neuro-science, and especially considered Dybuster’s response to COVID-19 related challenges.