Rising Trends in Assistive Tech

Converts written text to spoken words and back

Text-To-Speech

Tailors content and pacing to student needs

AI Adaptive Learning

Creates immersive learning experiences

Virtual Reality

As education evolves, learning is becoming more focused on personalized experiences, increased accessibility, and seamless integration with daily classroom activities. These trends move towards the adaptation of AI-powered tools which allow educators to efficiently react to student understanding and cater to diverse learning needs while promoting inclusivity.

References

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In 2023, 18% of eductors in K-12 said they used AI in their class (Diliberti et al., 2024)

VR can be crucial for disabled students in accessing areas they could not before (Diliberti et al., 2024)

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Rising Trends in Assistive Tech

Text-to-speech can support students with reading difficulties or visual impairments, overall aiding student comprehension and writing. Potential downsides can include the accuracy of specific text-to-speech software’s and a need to train educators to effectively utilize the tool (Admin_A4eDemo, 2023).

Text-To-Speech

AI-Powered adaptive learning tools can individually change content on a per student basis, allowing for different pacing and balancing. Instructors can track student progress and benefit from an increased efficiency in student management (Diliberti et al., 2024). Despite this, the initial cost and implementation is high, both for district financial costs for the tool itself and the necessary training for educators and administration. Additionally, a reliable internet connection and student access to district-approved and tested devices are vital to the success of AI-powered tools.

AI Tools

Virtual and augmented reality software’s create unique learning experiences for students that can be accomplished across great distances. These tools boost student engagement and understanding by helping simplify complex concepts, particularly benefiting visual and kinaesthetic learners (i3-Technologies, n.d.). Challenges can include student disorientation and motion sickness though, and the initial cost of the software and hardware needed is often very high.

Virtual Reality

Admin_A4eDemo. (2023, June 14). Text-to-speech for students: enhancing the learning process - Acer for Education. Acer for Education. https://acerforeducation.acer.com/education-trends/inclusive-education/enhancing-the-learning-process-through-text-to-speech-technologies/Diliberti, M. K., Schwartz, H. L., Doan, S., Shapiro, A., Rainey, L. R., & Lake, R. J. (2024, April 17). Using artificial intelligence tools in K–12 classrooms. RAND. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA956-21.htmli3-Technologies. (n.d.). VR in the classroom: benefits and drawbacks. https://www.i3-technologies.com/en/blog/stories/education/vr-in-the-classroom-benefits-and-drawbacks/

References