A Creative Boost for Students Who Learn Differently

Some students learn by moving.
By observing.
By doing.
By seeing the world and capturing it on their own terms.

These are the students I had in mind when I first created Learning Through A Lens—a creative learning experience that uses photography and creative writing as tools for exploration, expression, and connection.

Over the years, I’ve watched students—especially those who didn’t quite fit into traditional academic molds—begin to thrive when handed a camera and a blank page. Suddenly, the world opened up. They had something to say. They began to notice details in their surroundings, and in themselves, that had gone unnoticed before.

Why it works

Visual and kinesthetic learners often struggle in environments that value memorization over imagination. But when you let them create, reflect, and build something meaningful with their hands and their eyes, you tap into a kind of internal motivation that no lecture can replicate.

Photography becomes a doorway.
Writing becomes a mirror.
Together, they form a practice that invites students to slow down, observe deeply, and tell stories that matter.

I’ve seen it firsthand:

• A quiet student begin to find her voice through a photo series about her neighborhood

• A reluctant writer become passionate when he could tie his words to the photos he captured

• Students who once felt behind in school finally feel seen, capable, and proud

This isn’t about teaching kids to be photographers. It’s about helping them see themselves and the world with new eyes.

The program

Learning Through A Lens is a 5-week online course for ages 10–18. It’s project-based, accessible from anywhere, and built with creativity, reflection, and personal growth at its core.