Exploring Student Projects and Fostering Self-Directed Learning

Episode 199: Connecting Alternative Education Around the World: The WEquil App Story, July 20, 2024, 12:00pm Eastern Time

Frustrated by the challenges of remote learning during the pandemic, two young sisters—Sumay Lu, 14, and Aila Lu, 11—took matters into their own hands. Instead of waiting for the education system to adapt, Sumay and Aila founded their own online homeschooling platform, which has since grown into the WEquil App, a digital learning platform, now serving families, students, and educators in nearly 50 states and more than 50 countries.

Families around the world are looking for alternative education for their children beyond traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Examples of alternative education include homeschools, microschools, learning pods, learning co-ops etc.  Educators around the world are building solutions to leverage their strengths to serve students who can uniquely benefit from what they provide. WEquil App is building software that connects these families and educators as well as allowing educators to provide personalized education for all students at a low cost. 

WEquil App is a global school connecting families, educators, and entrepreneurs in nearly 50 states and more than 50 countries. They provide a complete technology solution for homeschoolers, educators, microschool founders, and edupreneurs who lead hundreds of personalized learning communities on their platform such as clubs, classes, co-ops, learning pods, and microschools, streamlining communication, security, payments, assessments, and more!  WEquil App is also free! You can check out "WEquil App" on any mobile device or visit the link below! https://WEquil.App

Our guests 

Aila Lu is CEO of WEquil School, a global microschool that employs a project based learning philosophy to empower students to become self directed. Her program demonstrates a unique model for how educators can leverage technology and innovative learning philosophies to empower students to find success in the digital age. She has published hundreds of projects on various topics including the nature of learning, education in the digital age, personalized success, entrepreneurship, health, philosophy, and more. Her work has been featured on Scripps National News, Stand Together Trust, GoGaurdian and Falls Church News Press. WEquil App Profile: https://wequilapp.page.link/3jYx

Sumay Lu, CEO of WEquil App, is a multifaceted entrepreneur, writer, and developer with deep insights into the future of education. Her platform connects a vast global network of teachers, parents, and microschools. Formerly the CEO of WEquil School, she has contributed extensively, publishing a vast array of projects ranging from interviews, music compositions, and essays on emerging technologies to literary works and educational content. Recognized as a pioneer in leveraging technology for personalized learning in the digital age, Sumay has been a prominent voice in forums like Stand Together Trust, Scripps News and as a keynote speaker at the Virginia Education Innovation Conference and VELA Con. Her expertise was sought twice as a guest lecturer at Iowa State University. A Black Belt from Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, Sumay's passions extend to cooking, learning Chinese, creating educational YouTube content, and connecting with her global educational community. She resides in Falls Church, Virginia, with her family. WEquil App Profile: https://wequilapp.page.link/Ebw9

Allyson is the WEquil School Activities Director and a mentor at WEquil School, helping younger students follow a project-based learning philosophy to become self-directed. She has written projects on a wide range of subjects such as technology, mental health, education, history, mathematics and more! Allyson runs several learning communities on WEquil App including a debate club, art community, virtual museum community and homeschool game room. WEquil App Profile: https://wequilapp.page.link/w1jd

Justin Shell, COO of WEquil App, spent more than a decade as a marine engineer and yacht designer before finding his passion in the education field. In 2018, he began developing a software platform to navigate alternative educational options, often described as 'Google Maps for Alt Ed.' Recognizing that parents were struggling to envision non-traditional approaches, he expanded the business to include producing videos of innovative educators, showcasing possibilities beyond the conventional classroom. As COO of WEquil App, Justin leverages his experience with innovative educators to build a platform that expands educational opportunities, enabling students and families to create truly personalized learning journeys. Outside of WEquil, he is a homeschooling dad with 4 crazy, amazing kids who help him test out all the new educational tools he comes across.