Escribo Logo

Escribo

Escribo

Reading

Writing

21st century skills

Evidence-based learning games to assess and foster early learning from preschool to 2nd grade.
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Last updated: November 19, 2024

Overview

Learning objectives

The primary learning objectives are to enhance phonological awareness, phonics, word reading, word spelling, reading fluency, and early mathematics skills such as counting orally up to 20, associating numbers with quantities, sequencing, classifying geometric shapes, numerical order, size relationships, spatial concepts, representing basic addition and subtraction.

Evidence of impact

STRONG

Cost structure

SUBSCRIPTION

Widely adopted in 4 countries

4 languages

Target audience: Educators and teachers, Students, Institutional or administrative staff, Parents or guardians

Category: Assessment tool, Learning activities, Skills development and

Grade: Early Childhood, Primary

Works offline but connectivity for updates required

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The information presented is provided by the company, and reviewed in good faith. Learning Cabinet is not responsible for inaccurate content.

How this product was evaluated?

Product Details

Data protection and privacy

Privacy

  • Privacy Policy icon
    Privacy PolicyOpen info in a new page
  • Terms of Service icon
    Terms of ServiceOpen info in a new page
  • Product alerts users of significant changes to the privacy policy icon
    Product alerts users of significant changes to the privacy policy

Data Sharing

  • Product does not share data with third parties icon
    Product does not share data with third parties
  • Product does not show external advertisements icon
    Product does not show external advertisements

Data Origin

  • Product utilizes AI icon
    Product utilizes AI
  • AI has not been trained using product datasets icon
    AI has not been trained using product datasets

Information security

  • No cybersecurity program in place icon
    No cybersecurity program in place
  • Technical best practices in place icon
    Technical best practices in place
  • Threat detection in place icon
    Threat detection in place
  • No self-assessments conducted icon
    No self-assessments conducted
  • No third party assessments conducted icon
    No third party assessments conducted

Safeguards

  • Product does not allow interactions between users and users cannot create content icon
    Product does not allow interactions between users and users cannot create content
  • Product does not use AI to generate content icon
    Product does not use AI to generate content
Theory

Escribo Play integrates literacy and math learning theories for early childhood. Literacy combines traditional (syllable memorization), constructivist (Piaget’s stages), and phonetic (sound-letter linking) methods to build phonological awareness. Math applies Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories, fostering skills through exploration and collaboration. Game-based learning encourages engagement, problem-solving, and teamwork, making Escribo Play an engaging tool for foundational education.

Strong evidence of impact

Impact 3/3

Escribo shows a proven positive impact, backed by at least one experimental study that shows a statistically significant positive impact on the intended learning outcomes.

Different levels of research evidence indicate the reliability of the proof of positive impact. The tools featured in the Learning Cabinet range from:

  • Strong: Backed by at least one experimental study that shows a statistically significant positive impact on the intended outcomes.
  • Moderate: Backed by at least one quasi-experimental study that shows a statistically significant positive impact on the intended outcomes.
  • Promising: Supported by correlational or pilot research that indicates positive or promising results on the intended outcomes.

Evidence
External Evidence
Randomized Control TrialsOpen
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Escribo’s impact on preschool literacy was studied with 749 children using phonological awareness games. Results showed 68% improvement in reading and 48% in writing over controls, showing the tool can boost early literacy in low-resource settings.

Engagement
Icon representing engagement statistics

Recommended use

Early Childhood, Primary

2 times per week, 30 minutes each time.

2 times per week, 30 minutes each time.

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Target audience

School administrators, Students, Teachers
Limited
reach
4
Countries

Learning Objectives

The primary learning objectives are to enhance phonological awareness, phonics, word reading, word spelling, reading fluency, and early mathematics skills such as counting orally up to 20, associating numbers with quantities, sequencing, classifying geometric shapes, numerical order, size relationships, spatial concepts, representing basic addition and subtraction.

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Curriculum

  • National curriculum
  • Adaptable to different curriculums

Information about curriculum

Escribo Play offers +2,000 games. Each one was created to foster a specific learning goal. These learning goals are included in state and national standards and include oral language, print, vocabulary, early mathematics and science knowledge. The games can be easily tailored to fit specific curriculum needs and can be rearranged to align with the school’s specific lesson plans.

Pedagogical design

Using this educational technology, traditional schools can incorporate games focused on syllables, rhyme, and alliteration to broaden students’ syllabic knowledge, addressing limitations of memorized syllabic families. Constructivist schools benefit through phonological awareness activities that aid developmental transitions, advancing students from pre-syllabic to syllabic-alphabetic stages. Phonics-based schools can use Escribo’s engaging activities to reduce reliance on rote memorization of sound-letter relationships, alleviating the potential stress of phonics approaches for young learners

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Additional Details
Flexibility
The product allows learner agency (e.g. it provides flexibility for the learner or teacher to make choices, take actions, or influence their learning outcomes and experiences).
The product supports adaptive personalized learning, including tailoring instruction and content with feedback to the unique needs, preferences, and goals of each learner
Learner engagement
The product has elements that raises the level of affection in learner (e.g. pedagogically meaningful narrative, characters, etc.).
The product has interactive design where a learner can interact with the content via different actions, like for example solving problems.
Creativity
The product allows content creation
The product includes problem-solving activities

User Experience

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User interface
Internal Testing Procedures Initially, a series of laboratory tests is conducted to evaluate the intended usability, using paper mockups of the interface. During and after the technology implementation, the game designer and product owner conduct adherence tests to verify if the technology and its content meet the established requirements. An alpha version of the technology is tested with a group of children in the company's lab. Field Testing Procedures Usability and functionality tests are carried out with students from initial adopter schools. These tests are closely monitored by various members of the project's R&D team, including the game designer, graphic artists, programmers, the pedagogical team, and company management. At the end of each session where students use the content, Escribo's team collects verbal feedback from the teachers. During debriefing sessions held at the company's premises, the positive and negative aspects identified are discussed, and decisions are made on what improvements should be implemented in the educational technology. Subsequent tests are conducted to evaluate the impact of the changes introduced, following the same process. The scope of these tests is expanded to include several other schools to gather comprehensive feedback and ensure the technology's effectiveness across different environments. Over the years many improvements have been made to the program, including the development of more than 1,500 games based on the teachers requests. Tailored learning reports that mix quantitative data collected by the games with qualitative data from teacher’s observations were created in 2023. And in 2024 we released the much requested reading fluency module after extensive research, development and tests.
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Data-driven product development
Escribo is a startup that originated at Johns Hopkins University and Porto Digital in Recife (PE, Brazil). All programs developed by the company are based on academic research and scientific evidence (meta-analytical and experimental studies). The instructional sequence, usage frequency, and basic program duration, consisting of 20 hours for each curriculum component (language and mathematics), were determined according to previous meta-analyses and validated through applied research in schools in Brazil, Panama, and Indonesia. One example is from our first randomized trial in schools serving students in poverty, where we identified during pretests that children lacked the prerequisite skills to benefit from the program. As a result, we expanded the program to include activities that foster those essential skills. Based on data collected by the games during experiments and correlating this data with standardized test results, we identified the best process metrics to use in learning reports. This evidence-based approach ensures that our product enhancements are informed by reliable data and contribute to improved learning outcomes. For more details, you can refer to our published research in Computers & Education Open: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666557321000379 We also collect qualitative data from teachers' perceptions and school leaders' needs, which have been used to expand the program (e.g., to mathematics and reading fluency) and develop new features (e.g., adaptive tracks, mixed-methods reports, generating playful tips for families to use at home to foster the main skills needed by their children, etc.).
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Geographic focus
We initially developed the program for Latin America + portuguese speaking populations. As the program demosntrated significant and sizeable effects in Brazil, we were approached by research teams in Panama and Indonesia. Then we translated, culturally adapted the program and conductect randomized controlled trials to assess their efficacy.
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Ensuring content quality
Expert Review: Content is reviewed by subject matter experts.
Educational Standards Alignment: Content aligns with educational standards.
User Feedback Incorporation: Regular updates are informed by user feedback.
Evidence-Based Content: Content creation is based on current educational research.
Quality Assurance Processes: Implementation of rigorous quality control measures.
Editorial Oversight: Editorial teams oversee content development and accuracy.
Language Accuracy: Content undergoes professional linguistic and grammar checks.
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Supervision and communications
This product is primarily designed for classroom setting
The product includes communications capabilities.

Infrastructure

  • Device compatibility
    Smartphone, Tablet, Desktop/Laptop, Chromebooks
  • Designed for low-cost devices
    Yes
  • Environment
    Web-Based (Accessible via a web browser without requiring installation on a device), Device Installable (Requires installation on a device to be used, i.e. a mobile or desktop app)
  • Offline availability
    Works offline but connectivity for updates required
  • Integration with 3rd party
    Education/Learning Data tools, Single Sign-On or other secure login tools, User data/metrics platforms, LMS platforms

Support

  • Training materials
    Video tutorials, User manuals, Webinars, Online courses, Live training
  • Training material languages
    English, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish
  • Training material target users
    Educators and teachers, Students, Institutional or administrative staff, Parents or guardians
  • Technical support

    Image for Technical support 1
    Email Support

    Image for Technical support 3
    Chatbot Support

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    Live Chat Support

Local Adaptability

  • Curriculum / educational content can be customized
    Yes
  • Visual / audiovisual content can be customized
    Yes
  • Content can be customized
    Yes
  • Current languages
    English, Indonesian, Portuguese, Spanish
  • Possibility to translate the product to new language
    Yes
  • Licensing information
    • The solution is proprietary

Data import/export

  • Export data capability
    CSV, JSON, API
  • Exportable data types
    User data, User performance and progress, Assessment results, Usage statistics, Communication logs
  • Import data capability
    User data, Educational content
  • Automation
    Individual upload/onboarding, Classroom or school level upload by administrator, Large-scale upload at a ministry/institutional level
Affordability

Affordability Card

Business model icon
Business model
  • Business to Government (B2Gov)
  • Business to Business (B2B)
Pricing model icon
Pricing model
  • Subscription
Pricing tiers icon
Pricing tiers
  • District based
  • National
  • Per student
  • School based
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Starting price

50 USD/year

  • Flexible pricing available
Ask for details
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Pricing Strategy

The annual cost per student, USD 24 is much lower than that reported in 90% of studies reviewing other educational interventions (M = $4,752, SD = $9,720) (Kraft, 2020). When compared with these benchmarks (Kraft, 2020), Escribo Play positions itself as an easily scalable solution that provides medium to large learning gains.

Adjustable Pricing Options

Yes, we provide adjustable and context-dependent pricing options. The cost varies depending on the size of the implementation, its location, and any specific demands from the education department for training and implementation. For example, in rural areas where there is a lack of digital devices, paper-based alternatives may be required for the majority of students. Additionally, in larger projects, the per-user cost may be reduced due to scale gains. This flexibility ensures that our program can be tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of different educational environments, making it accessible and effective for all students.

Organisation and Operations

Organization Details

Developed in
United States
Type of organization
Business enterprise
Stage of organization
Growth Phase
(since 2016)
Number of employees
25-50
Developed in
United States
Type of organization
Business enterprise
Stage of organization
Growth Phase
(since 2016)
Number of employees
25-50
Developed in
United States
Type of organization
Business enterprise
Stage of organization
Growth Phase
(since 2016)
Number of employees
25-50
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Experience with large projects

  • Open link iconRegional or state government projects
  • Open link iconLocal government projects
  • Open link iconPartnership models with national institutions
Case Study Link
Open link icon

Large implementation example

We provide the technology and gamified content for Santillana Brazil (Moderna Soluções). They deployed their Aprova Brasil project to support more than 2 million first to fifth-grade students in over 2,000 Brazilian schools. We provide professional development and technical assistance for Santillana's team, which implements the textbooks and games within the state and municipal schools across all regions of Brazil. Our reading fluency module was evaluated in 2023 through a reading olympiad that had a randomized controlled design and involved 23,000 children. This project was conducted solely by our team. The evaluation revealed significant and robust gains from the fluency module. We are currently preparing scientific publications on this evaluation.

Accessibility of Design

Users with disability have been taken into account in the design of the product.
Success iconEscribo fulfils the WCAG 2.1 level AA requirements
Tool tested with:
successExpert validation (using free NVDA screen reader)
successPerson with disability

Equity of access & Gender

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Product usage between genders
We have not yet searched for differences in the ways or the extent that women/girls and men/boys will benefit from the product. As the product is typically a mandatory educational resource, all students use it regardless of their gender. This ensures that every student has equal access to the educational benefits provided by our product.

Get in touch with the organization

Diagram explaining the EdTech for Good Framework

Expert Review of Escribo

Evaluated using the Learning Cabinet’s rigorous EdTech for Good Framework to ensure safety, learning impact, scalability, and inclusion for all learners.

EdTech for Good Framework

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