AI's Impact on Dyslexia: A Student's Message to Teachers

Outline

I. Introduction (5 minutes)
Content:
- Brief welcome and introduction of speakers (student and educator).
- Overview of session objectives: fostering inclusive learning through AI, with a special focus on dyslexia and accessibility tools.

Engagement/Activity:
- Use a quick polling activity to gauge the audience’s familiarity with AI and dyslexia.
- Pose a reflective question: "What are your current challenges in supporting learners with diverse needs?"

II. See Dyslexia Differently (10 minutes)
Content:
- Overview of dyslexia, myths vs. facts.

Engagement/Activity:
- Audience discusses their initial thoughts and perceptions about dyslexia via Padlet.
- Ask participants to write down one takeaway via the Padlet discussion board.

III. Makenzie’s Story (10 minutes)
Content:
- Student shares her personal journey with dyslexia, highlighting the challenges faced in traditional learning environments.
- Story focuses on the turning point when AI tools, such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, or learning apps, made an impact on her educational growth.

Engagement/Activity:
- Poll: "How do you think AI could benefit your current students with diverse learning needs?" (live feedback via Mentimeter).

IV. AI Accessibility for Today (15 minutes)
Content:
- Student/Educator presents how they leverage AI to make learning more accessible, using tools like immersive readers, speech recognition software, and personalized learning platforms.

Engagement/Activity:
- Real-time demonstration of a few key AI tools with examples of differentiated instruction.
- Audience members test AI accessibility tools on their own devices during the demo.

V. Next-Gen AI Accessibility (10 minutes)
Content:
- Forward-looking view: What’s coming and new in AI and accessibility? Examples of innovations in personalized learning for neurodivergent students.

Engagement/Activity:
- Brief discussion on how next-gen AI tools (like advanced speech assistants and real-time personalized feedback) could shape the future of learning.
- Present futuristic classroom scenarios for discussion: How might AI help address gaps in learner variability?

VI. Conclusion and Call to Action (5 minutes)
Content:
- Actionable takeaways for teachers on implementing AI tools to foster inclusive learning in their classrooms.

Engagement/Activity:
- Encourage audience members to commit to one strategy they will implement after the session and write it down.
- Open floor for final questions.

Supporting research

This session will be taught by using examples from two schools who have been actively at the forefront of this technology using information from UNESCO, The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest by Mustafa Suleyman, AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee and Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat. It also includes insights with work done with over 75k educators training them to use AI in their classrooms.