How it Began: Lola's story

Ideas often come when you least expect them. Such was the case when veteran 3rd grade teacher, Karen Caruso, went to a professional development seminar in the summer of 2012. Structuring the Learning Environment was a course designed to show methods for helping Special Needs students manage everyday tasks. Karen was the only non-special education teacher in the room.

Over the course of two days, Karen learned about executive function, what it is and why children with a deficit in EF have a hard time following routines or completing tasks independently. She learned how to create a “work system"; a way of breaking down routines and instructions into one-step-at-a-time chunks. Her take away? Simplifying larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks greatly reduces the anxiety and embarrassment felt by a student who wants to participate, but has trouble following even the most straightforward directions.

When school began that fall Karen met Lola, the student who was inspiration for the “app” that is her namesake. A bright, kind-hearted, eager 3rd grader, Lola was the student a teacher never forgets. But as Karen observed she saw that, despite a positive attitude and obvious persistence, Lola struggled when it came to following multi-step directions and daily routines. No matter how hard she tried, Lola couldn’t recall directions or retrieve the fundamental information needed to stay on task; something a lot of us take for granted. 3rd graders take pride in being autonomous. Too many reminders or prompts from the teacher potentially causes embarrassment, can incite disruptive behavior and could damage self-esteem. Karen wanted Lola to succeed and knew she could—-if there was a way to support her while empowering her sense of independence.

Armed with strategies learned at the seminar, Karen created work systems for Lola. Everything from simple classroom routines to academic situations was broken into small, manageable steps. Lola’s mom, Carrie, implemented similar work systems at home. Lola was put in charge of her own schedule, checking things off as she moved through routines, making sure she completed each task. No longer self-conscious and uncertain, Lola became increasingly independent, participating in class in a way she never had before. What’s more, her confidence level and sense of pride soared.

Karen knew from experience: lots of students have similar stories to Lola’s. Knowing how much these kids, their teachers and their families would benefit from using similar work systems, Karen and Carrie realized they had the beginnings of an idea. An idea that ultimately became: the Lola app.

Do You Know Why Students Like Using Lola's Messaging System?

When we started building Lola, we thought it would make sense to include a simple messaging system. In testing, we soon discovered that students want to send private messages to teachers and special education assistants. What we didn't expect was that they prefer it!

By making it easy to send preconfigured messages, for instance, a student can let a teacher know they need help without having to raise their hand or call out to the teacher. With private messaging, students are in control.

For now, we've just added a few shortcuts, or buttons if you like, so that teachers and students can quickly send messages without typing out the whole sentence or question.

We're working on other ideas, but we need your feedback. What would make teacher/student communication more seamless?

A Typical Morning Routine

Without Lola

A bell rings, signaling the start of another busy day in 3rd grade.

Teacher gives clear directions: "Put your lunch outside, turn in last night’s math assignment, copy today’s homework, read quietly for 20 minutes."

Yet somehow, despite the teacher’s clear instructions, as twenty-four 8 year olds commence unpacking backpacks jammed with books, last night’s homework and permission slips, chaos and clamor ensue.

This is not the sign of a disorganized teacher; it’s how today’s 3rd graders roll.

Thus begins the cycle of repetitive asking/answering of questions: *What do I do with this? Where do I turn in that? * *By the time 30 minutes have passed, students are off task and the teacher is frustrated. *

This sort of class disruption is not extraordinary; more than likely it’s the norm.

With Lola

8:06 am Bell rings, students file into Room 29.

Without verbal instructions from Mrs. Sartore, the classroom is abuzz with lively productivity. Kids know what to do: get an iPad and fire up Lola. While they’re doing this, Mrs. Sartore opens her laptop, types up a morning work system routine and sends it to the students with the mere touch of a button.

Quiet as mice, kids read the instructions on Lola and flow. As each task is completed, students tap “I’m Done”; the next task is magnified, ready to be worked on. Freed from having to repeat simple directions or micro-manage a particular student, Mrs. Sartore now has time to answer questions, monitor learning and move the day along.

Even tardy students independently catch up with the class in no time using Lola. They just log in and follow the work system. No disruption. No repetition. No frustration. With Lola, a classroom is full of productivity, where everyone thrives!

Teachers: How Lola Works

As a teacher, once you register, you can run Lola for a select number of students in your class (or your entire class).

Here's how it works:

Worksystems

Whenever you give multi-step directions, you can create a Worksystem of those assignment steps - broken down into single steps (tasks)and send it to student(s). After the student receives the assignment steps through Lola, learning runs easily!

Work System Tasks

Messaging System

Lola’s private messaging and quick-message buttons allow for quiet, immediate, visual communication that keeps classroom disruptions down and the learning flow going.

Chat Messaging

Visual Timers

You set the timers for each task that show time “counting down” or “sustaining a fixed duration” of time next to each task on the student and your teacher dashboard. The students see just how much time they have and/or how much time to go. You see your students' progress.

Task Countdown Timers

Can I use Lola for all my students?

Lola can be used by anyone who has difficulty with focus and completing tasks in a timely manner. Lola can be used in a school setting between teachers and students, at home between a parent and child or in any setting where someone needs help while completing multi-step instructions.

What devices are needed to run Lola?

If you’re a teacher, you just need a web browser and an Internet connection to use Lola. You can use a PC or tablet. Of course, you’ll need to register an account to get started. Students can use PCs or tablets. Right now, most students use Lola on iPads, but any tablet with a browser that is connected to the Internet can use the app. If you are on a school network, you may need permission from your IT group to use the app since IT often block websites and apps that are not approved.

Want Lola for your classroom?

We are in closed BETA testing. While in closed testing, you can ask to be on the invite list for our public launch. We have not yet set our launch date, but will publish the data as soon as we are ready. Meanwhile, please contact us if you have questions. We do want to hear from you!

What is Executive Function?

Executive Function is a set of mental processes that helps connect past experiences with present actions.

People use it to perform actions such as: planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention, remembering details, and managing time.

Many children today struggle with Executive Function and as a result struggle in learning environments.

Research & Resources

Executive Functions, Wikipedia

Children and Executive Function, WebMD

Parents: How Lola Can Help Your Child

If your child has challenges with executive function, you understand how important it is to find solutions that help your child learn and grow. We developed the Lola app because a parent, just like you, had a child with executive function challenges in Karen's classroom.

How Lola works

Lola is an app that makes it easy for teachers to keep special needs students on track in the classroom. With Lola, teachers can create, share, and manage students through task lists and simple direct messaging.

Teachers, or any adult, assign a list of tasks to your child and add desired completion time for each task. Your child, using a tablet, will only see the task list with the current task highlighted.

To complete the current task, your child taps "done" and the teacher or adult is notified that your child is on track. If your child does not complete the task, the teacher or adult is notified and can send a private direct message to nudge your child back on track.

If your child have questions or needs help, he/she can message the teacher directly and the teacher can respond without any other students being aware of the interaction.

What can Lola do for your child

Lola can help your child stay on task in the classroom. By using Lola, your child will always know what task they should be working on. Your child no longer needs to ask for help in front of the entire class. This helps build their sense of control and independence.

How Lola helps teachers

We all know that children benefit from a calm learning environment. Lola helps teachers calm the classroom because kids using Lola always know what to do next. This prevents interruptions, which is a major challenge for teachers everywhere.

Can I get Lola for my child now?

We are in closed BETA testing. While in closed testing, school teachers, parents, and principals can ask to be on the invite list for our public launch. We have not yet set our launch date, but will publish the data as soon as we are ready. Meanwhile, please contact us if you have questions and check back here frequently for updates.

Thank you!