Author: Steve Alcorn
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What AI Can’t Replace: The Lasting Value of Books and Real Learning
by Chief Financial Officer Chia-Hua (Phyllis) Chen There’s no denying it — AI tools like ChatGPT have completely changed the way we learn. They’re fast, convenient, and surprisingly good at helping us explain concepts or clear up confusion within seconds. But the more I work with AI, the more I’m reminded of something important: AI can support learning,…
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Designing for Colorblindness: Enhancing Accessibility Through Inclusive Color Use
in Programmingby BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng As BrainStream increasingly adopts mobile-first and accessibility-centered design principles, color inclusivity has become a critical extension of this conversation. While earlier discussions may focus on color theory for engagement and emotional impact, it is equally important to recognize how color perception varies across users—and how these differences…
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Accessibility in BrainStream: Designing for Every Learner
in Programmingby BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng Following the growing emphasis on mobile-first design, another equally vital aspect of BrainStream’s development is accessibility. While mobile optimization ensures that BrainStream is convenient and portable, accessibility ensures that it is usable and inclusive for all students—regardless of physical, cognitive, or technological differences. A truly effective app…
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Mobile-First UX Design for BrainStream: Balancing Accessibility and Learning Diversity
in Programmingby BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng In today’s mobile-driven world, designing with a mobile-first mindset is essential for apps aiming to support modern students. Smartphones have become the primary tool for communication, study, and productivity, making mobile accessibility a cornerstone of effective educational design. However, mobile-first UX is not only about fitting content…
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Shaping the Future of Learning with AI
by Chief Operating Officer Tzu-Ying (Kimberley) Chen Last month, the Government of Canada launched its AI Strategy Task Force and a national consultation to shape the future of artificial intelligence. (Source: Government of Canada) Among the priorities, education and skills development stand out — a vision that speaks directly to us at BrainStream, where our…
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Marketing Isn’t a Cost, It’s a Lever
by BrainStream Chief Marketing Officer Ya-Hui (Laura) Kao Playing the Long Game vs. Chasing Short Wins Marketing is often seen as a line item to trim when budgets are tight. “What’s the ROI?” is a fair question — but too often, the timeline behind that question is too short. In reality, marketing is not just…
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Scaling Wisely: When Speed Stops Being a Strategy
by Chief Financial Officer Chia-Hua (Phyllis) Chen Last time, I talked about the growth mirage—when impressive metrics hide unsustainable costs. This time, let’s talk about another illusion: the illusion of speed. In startups, speed is celebrated. “Move fast and break things” sounds heroic—but in AI EdTech, moving fast without reflection often means breaking trust. Every model retrain…
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Teaching Students to See What They Don’t Know
by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn How BrainStream Will Take “Study Mode” Further OpenAI’s recent video introducing ChatGPT’s Study Mode highlights an important truth: effective learning isn’t just about finding the right answer — it’s about recognizing what you don’t yet understand. In a youtube video, Justin Sung, a professional education coach, makes a crucial point: even the best adaptive…
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The Role of Gamification
in Programmingby BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng Gamification has become a powerful approach in the design of educational applications, such as the famous language learning app, Duolingo, and the recent released Learn Your Way by Google. By integrating elements commonly associated with games—such as points, badges, streaks, or levels—designers can make academic tasks more…
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Empowering Every Student with Smarter, Fairer, and Faster Learning
by Chief Operating Officer Tzu-Ying (Kimberley) Chen At BrainStream, we believe education should be as dynamic and adaptive as the learners it serves. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn with confidence, at their own pace, and with the right support. Artificial Intelligence allows us to…
