Throughout my educational journey, I always thought something was wrong with me, and many times, I would give up before I ever gave opportunities a chance because I believed deep down that I would not be able to grasp the information well enough to be successful. No matter how hard I tried and how hard I studied, information disappeared into the air like smoke. I always thought the best thing for me would be finishing high school and finding a job doing anything I could find with less thinking. Higher education seemed like far too much work, and the stress I was putting my brain through was just solidifying my belief that learning was "too hard." I was often times jealous of the valedictorians and other A students because "how come their brains worked so well?" As I aged and my determination for success revealed the necessity of higher education, I placed a serious emphasis on understanding why learning was so hard for me.
Growing up Nigerian, it was not common to find parents who delved deep into understanding why their child was not the A++ student they so desperately wanted. Having a child with Autism or any other learning disability was not something that was explored unless the situation was very apparent, and it definitely wasn't something that was welcomed even in the slightest bit. The problem with this is that many children are deemed a problem when something else could actually be occurring. Without delving into the behavioral side of things, having a disability, especially one that affects one's learning, is not always noticeable just by looking at or communicating with someone. This is something that everyone should know, but it wasn't until my time working at the Autism Treatment Center in San Antonio, TX, that I really grasped what this means. Over my year with the company, I worked in both the school during the day and the homes at night and really got to gain a great understanding of the developmental disability. The greatest joy I faced was when a student who had a hard time grasping certain information was able to recall and learn it after a series of lessons and different learning styles were introduced. While having autism doesn't always equal a learning disorder (in fact, many individuals with Autism are known for being smarter than the average person), working at ATC did teach me not only patience but also that there is joy at the other end of learning something that did not come naturally and that anyone, with enough determination, can learn anything.
When I reflect on my educational journey, one recurring challenge stands out: my unique learning style often clashed with traditional teaching methods. Like many students, I struggled not because of a lack of effort or interest, but because the methods used in the classroom didn’t align with how I processed information. This realization not only transformed my academic success but also fueled my passion for creating more inclusive educational environments. For many students, particularly those with non-conventional learning styles, traditional education can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. As educators, we have a responsibility to recognize and address this mismatch—and innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), may hold the key.
Education has long relied on standardized approaches, such as lectures and text-heavy materials, especially in higher education. While effective for some, these methods often alienate students who learn best through visuals, hands-on activities, or interactive experiences. However, many students come from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of academic preparation. Meeting these diverse needs requires rethinking how we teach, moving from rigid methods to flexible, personalized learning environments.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while controversial to many, has great benefits for situations just like this. In future posts, we will delve into different types of AI that can aid your learning, but for now, let's talk about the few ways AI can address the challenges faced by non-conventional learners.
For starters, AI-powered platforms can assess a student's strengths, weaknesses, and preferences in real-time. An example of this is a student who may struggle with text-based content, the system can dynamically suggest video tutorials or interactive simulations, tailoring the learning experience to their style.
Another way is real-time feedback and support using Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). This is a way for AI to provide immediate feedback and support, replicating one-to-one tutoring sessions. This allows students to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts until they fully understand them.
Utilizing Enhanced Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a great way to aid in these efforts. AI can scale the principles of UDL by offering multiple ways for students to engage with content. Whether through visual aids, audio materials, or interactive tasks, AI ensures that all students can find a mode of learning that works for them.
The last effort we will discuss is specific to the educators. AI analytics can help educators identify patterns of disengagement or struggle, enabling early intervention. By understanding what works, and what doesn't, for their students, faculty can refine their teaching strategies and better meet diverse needs.
I am in no way saying that these are completely new theories, in fact, this discussion has been going on for many years, and I am simply bringing more light to the importance of implementing these practices in every classroom. Education has the power to unlock potential, but only if we are willing to give every learner the chance and full opportunity they require to succeed. This takes patience, and in a classroom where an instructor has anywhere from 18 to 30+ students, it is not the easiest to provide individual aid. This is where introducing Artificial Intelligence comes into play. Introducing students to these helpful tools coupled with inclusive teaching practices, has the ability to create an educational landscape where every student has the tools to thrive.
As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of navigating a one-size-fits-all system, I am passionate about fostering change. It's time to embrace innovation and build a future where truly no student is left behind.
If this topic resonates with you, join the conversation! How do you think AI can improve education? What challenges have you or someone you know faced with traditional teaching methods? Share your thoughts below!
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