What if a child could become literate and numerate—without ever stepping into a formal classroom? In this episode of Lectures on Learning, Heather Clayton Staker travels to the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi to explore how Imagine Worldwide is delivering powerful learning gains to the most marginalized students using only tablets, adaptive software, and a caring facilitator. Joined by Vafa Hakimi, a field leader from Imagine, Heather discovers how children—many of whom have never attended school—are becoming confident readers and mathematicians. Together, they explore a bold new vision for education in underserved communities and the future of learning for displaced youth around the world.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• The learning crisis facing refugee children in Malawi and beyond
• How Imagine Worldwide tablets use AI-powered adaptive software to teach literacy and numeracy
• A behind-the-scenes look at implementation in refugee-led schools and community centers
• Stories of students who have never attended school now learning entirely through tablets
• Pros and cons of extrinsic motivators (e.g. play zones, books, raffles) for younger learners
• Why refugee-led organizations can outperform traditional NGOs in education delivery
• The surprising conversion story of a social worker who was once skeptical of edtech
• Insights on sustainability, device durability, and the need for wraparound support like meals
• The emerging “brick-and-mortar Flex Model” as a solution for out-of-school learners
• Real-life partnerships between Imagine Worldwide and Limitless Education’s 2-Hour Learning

LINKS:

Download the "Innovation Spotlight: Imagine Worldwide" infographic at: https://www.guide.school/6

YouTube version of Lectures on Learning: www.youtube.com/@guideschooling/playlists

Podcast version: Available on all major platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.)