Magpie Literacy

Starwriter App

Reimagining the way students learn to write

The Challenge

Designing a Research-Driven Tool for Real-World Classrooms

Backpack partnered with Magpie Literacy and early childhood education expert, Dr. Nell Duke, to create Starwriter, a web-based handwriting app for Pre-K through 1st grade.

Grounded in Dr. Duke's research-backed learning system, Starwriter teaches writing through short, efficient sessions that group letters by kinesthetic movement rather than alphabetical order. By introducing simpler letterforms first and reducing stylus lift, the program accelerates students’ handwriting mastery. 

But to succeed in a real-world classroom environment, Starwriter needed to:

Translate a sophisticated instructional method into a tool that very young children could use independently.
Accommodate classrooms with limited tech resources,
Maintain cultural and visual inclusivity
Closely follow the research-based learning process that differentiates Starwriter from other handwriting programs.

PK-12

What We Did

Research
- Prototyping & Usability Testing
Strategy
- Product Ideation
Design
- Wireframes
- UX Design
- UI Design
- Illustration & Animation
- Accessibility Compliance

“Backpack Interactive is amazing to work with! They have a multidimensional team with expertise in graphic design, user experience, classroom context, child development, and the affordances of specific technologies. They listen to vision and feedback and liaise effectively with developers. We are so appreciative of Backpack’s role in our work!”

— Dr. Nell K. Duke, Researcher & Author

Approach

Blending Pedagogy, Play, and Classroom Insight

We built AppName from the ground up, immersing ourselves in the research behind ClientName’s system. The experience balances simplicity for first-time writers with engaging interactions such as pre-writing videos, stylus-grip demonstrations, unlockable pen colors, and mini-games that reinforce letter formation.

To refine the product, we conducted observational studies in CityName classrooms and collected insights from the Teacher Council. Their feedback informed updates to lesson structure, navigation, content clarity, and classroom usability. We also developed an educator portal where teachers can customize lessons and access resources.  

Key solutions to elevate learning and accessibility:

Gamified engagement through rewards, custom pen colors, animations, and playful mini-games
Equitable access with a design that works even without active styluses
Inclusive visuals featuring diverse skin tones and culturally relevant characters
Research-aligned lessons emphasizing minimal stylus lift to reinforce proper letter formation
Teacher-centered controls including a robust educator portal with custom letter sets and resources
Evidence-based iteration informed by classroom observation and ongoing educator feedback

We conducted extensive research to design an app that balances simplicity with engaging interactions such as pre-writing videos, stylus-grip demonstrations, unlockable pen colors, and mini-games that reinforce letter formation.

The results & Why it matters

A Nationwide Rollout—and Growing Momentum—for a Tool that Shapes Lifelong Learning

Within three months, we delivered a classroom-ready demo that kicked off a year of iterative development. AppName has since been adopted in classrooms across New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Mississippi, California, and South Dakota, with more states joining. Teachers report stronger engagement, clearer letter formation, and an easier path to consistent handwriting practice.

Handwriting is a foundational skill that supports reading, fine motor development, and overall academic confidence. By combining research-based pedagogy, engaging design, and real classroom insight, AppName gives educators a tool that is accessible, inclusive, and truly effective. The AgencyName team is proud to help bring this impactful program to classrooms nationwide.