AI in Education: Empowering Students with Disabilities, But Challenges Remain

Geoff Cook
Geoff Cook Member (Full) Posts: 86
in Education and Skills Development

AI in Education: Empowering Students with Disabilities, But Challenges Remain

Imagine a world where students with disabilities can overcome learning challenges and thrive in the classroom. This isn't science fiction but the exciting reality of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. AI-powered tools like text-to-speech, word prediction, and chatbots are transforming the learning experience for students with dyslexia, learning disabilities, and other challenges.

Unlocking Potential:

The story of Makenzie Gilkison, a 14-year-old with dyslexia, exemplifies the power of AI. Once struggling to read and write, Makenzie now excels academically thanks to AI tools. Similarly, Ben Snyder, a student with a learning disability, uses AI to grasp complex math concepts and hone his writing skills. These are just a few examples of how AI is leveling the playing field and empowering students with disabilities.

Beyond the Hype: Addressing Concerns

While AI offers a beacon of hope, valid concerns need to be addressed. Ensuring the ethical use of AI is paramount. We need to prevent students from becoming overly reliant on AI, ensuring they develop essential learning skills. Equitable access for all students is crucial, avoiding potential bias in AI tools. Additionally, navigating the complexities of implementing and integrating AI effectively in schools requires careful consideration.

The Road Ahead: Continued Development and Responsible Implementation

The U.S. Department of Education is prioritizing accessibility, emphasizing the importance of tools like text-to-speech for students with disabilities. Research and development are ongoing to improve AI tools, particularly in speech-to-text technology and handwriting recognition for children.

The future of AI in education is bright, but responsible implementation is key. By addressing challenges and harnessing the power of AI, we can create a more inclusive learning environment where all students can reach their full potential. What are your thoughts?

Read more about AI in Education: AI Transforms Learning for Students with Disabilities, But Schools Still Mastering It.

Comments

  • Ali Ingersoll
    Ali Ingersoll Posts: 96

    This is such an important topic. I was having a conversation with a professor on this and professors are happy to have training on how to spot ai content from their students. There are so many ethical questions here that I'm not quite sure how to even address yet. We'll have to see what happens.

  • Sarah Tuberty
    Sarah Tuberty Posts: 38

    Thank you for posting this conversation!!

    I likely have a dyslexia dx in addition to my limb difference - which makes typing difficult for me. I have consistently turned in essays throughout my high school, college, and graduate education that (quoting a professor) is "polluted with spelling errors." I have just come to accept that I will get the automatic -10 points for spelling and grammar errors. And just tried my best to be as robust with the content that I can sneak by with B level work.

    In talking with my educators, they always recommend writing centers as support. While I am thankful this is a resource that exists, it is not feasible to have them read every single thing I write and provide edits. They may only be able to review 3 of my 15 page papers within in their allotted time frame. It can also be difficult to pre-write papers with enough time in advance to secure an appointment. I started to ask classmates to review my work- but it is a burden to consistently ask someone. I had rather just accepted that I was a poor typist- and that all of my written work would have issues- requiring anything formal to be deeply criticized.

    Now as a PhD student, I am preparing my multi-chapter work for my dissertation proposal defense. I as so so thankful at the ability to plug in 80+ pages worth of content with specific commands to review my work for spelling and grammar issues. I had great results within seconds- and I was able to do this at 2am- which would not be a realistic time slot for an appointment. I have found this use of AI to be incredibly helpful, it does a decent job, quickly, without feeling burdensome on my peers, and at a time that works in my schedule.

    It does become gray- as far as how we are using it and how to we trust academic integrity with it's use. Can I feed my work in there- with prompts to reduce it down to a 1 page cheat sheet for me to turn in? It is technically all of my writing, it is just editing it down- is that an ok use? It's tricky and I am eager to continue learning more about how the business work and institutions are drawing the lines on appropriate use vs inappropriate use of AI.

  • Geoff Cook
    Geoff Cook Member (Full) Posts: 86

    I remember this life, Sarah, while getting my master's, I type slowly, dictate faster obviously. I have a massive vocabulary, but have never been a good speller. I am happy to offer whatever support I can as you finish your journey, even if that's just a person you can vent to every now and then. The 2 AM reference really struck a nerve PTSD

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