Empowering Students Through Technology
For Makenzie Gilkison, spelling is a challenge, often turning simple words like “rhinoceros” into “rineanswsaurs.” The 14-year-old from suburban Indianapolis faces dyslexia, a condition that makes the learning process grueling. ‘I just assumed I was stupid,’ she shared, reflecting on her earlier school years.
However, with the aid of assistive technology powered by artificial intelligence, Makenzie has been able to keep pace with her classmates. Last year, she earned a spot in the National Junior Honor Society, thanks to a customized AI chatbot, a word prediction program, and other tools that read for her. ‘I would have just probably given up if I didn’t have them,’ she stated.
The Promise of AI in Schools
Artificial intelligence is proving crucial for countless students facing a variety of disabilities, including visual and speech impairments. Educational institutions are now grappling with the ways to integrate AI effectively into their systems. Recent initiatives from the U.S. Education Department and new regulations from the Department of Justice emphasize the need to provide accessible learning tools.
These AI tools can assist in organizing thoughts into outlines or summarizing complex texts, ensuring inclusivity in education. ‘I’m seeing that a lot of students feel like they’ve found a cheat code in a video game,’ commented Alexis Reid, an educational therapist in Boston. Yet, she emphasizes, ‘We’re meeting students where they are.’
Balancing Benefits and Risks
Ben Snyder, a freshman from Larchmont, New York, utilizes AI for homework tasks. ‘Sometimes in math, my teachers will explain a problem, but it just makes no sense,’ he admitted. By entering questions into AI platforms, he can receive different explanatory perspectives, an adjustment that saves him time. However, he remains wary of using AI for writing entire assignments, calling it ‘just cheating.’
Educators are aware of the balance needed when implementing such technologies. As Mary Lawson of the Council of the Great City Schools points out, ‘If a special education plan sets reading growth as a goal, the student needs to improve that skill, and AI can’t do it for them.’
AI as a Leveling Tool
Despite the challenges, AI can help create equitable opportunities for students with disabilities. Paul Sanft, director of a Minnesota-based assistive technology center, noted, ‘There are definitely going to be people who use some of these tools in nefarious ways, but that’s not the biggest concern for people with disabilities, who are just trying to do something they couldn’t do before.’
Growing Adoption of AI Tools
Iowa has implemented a new law mandating personalized reading plans for students who fall below proficiency, with the state spending $3 million on AI-based tutoring programs.
Looking ahead, the U.S. National Science Foundation is funding development in AI tools for speech and language challenges. Though schools face hurdles in vetting these technologies, efforts are being made to create user-friendly, accessible options.
A Bright Future for All Students
As institutions weigh the implementation of AI tools, the feedback from stakeholders like teachers and families is crucial. Nadine Gilkison, technology integration supervisor and Makenzie’s mother, expressed optimism about the potential for such innovations. ‘Now we don’t need to wait anymore,’ she noted, reflecting on a recent chatbot rollout that empowers special education students in high school.
AI is not just about convenience; it’s about fostering independence and providing the necessary tools to ensure that all students have a chance to thrive in their educational journey.
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