ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’ve ever wondered what the future of education looks like, it’s all about high-tech innovations, featuring everything from drones and robots to a whole lot of AI.
Earlier this month, the Future of Education Technology Conference took place at the Orange County Convention Center. Educators and administrators from across the nation explored over 4,000 booths showcasing the latest in educational technology.
Amy Dujon, vice president of FETC, emphasized the importance of embracing technology.
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“We need to embrace technology, not fear it. It’s about getting it into teachers’ hands, training them, and then into students’ hands so they can use it and learn,” she said.
Dujon highlighted the need for students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers, using technology responsibly.
The conference is designed to feel like a community, with sections in “neighborhoods” such as Pitch Fest, Active Learning, and Emerging Businesses. One of those new businesses is Florida-based Scholar Education.
“We’re an AI-powered platform that’s really focused on creating personalized learning for students,” said Marlee Strawn, co-founder of Scholar Education. “The platform aims to demystify AI and make it accessible to both teachers and students. “The ultimate dream is that every student gets one-on-one personalized support tailored to their individual needs.”
A unique aspect of Scholar Education is its AI-powered assistants, inspired by real-life Bernedoodles, Baxter, and Bruce.
“They’re brothers. They’ve never been separated, and they’re about three and a half years old,” Strawn shared. “Baxter is a little more rambunctious, which suits him well for students, while Bruce is more stoic and well-behaved, making him the teacher’s assistant.”
Strawn demonstrated how Scholar Education works, showcasing the student portal and a pilot lesson plan. Baxter Bot, one of the AI assistants, offers hints and guidance, tailoring communication to a student’s reading level.
Strawn tells News 6 that this platform is unique because it was created using teacher feedback.
“We’ve helped implement 3,600 accommodations for special education credit,” Strawn said. “We’ve implemented 45,000 personalized learning communications with Baxter Bot, and teachers are saving, on average, five hours a week on lesson planning, grading, and supporting students.”
Strawn also addressed the current teacher shortage.
“A tool like this is really helping kids. And that’s life-changing,” she said. The influx of AI into various industries presents a huge opportunity to support teachers, and Strawn says Scholar Education is eager to be part of that movement.
Scholar Education is in its pilot year but plans to expand. If you’d like more information on bringing this platform to your skill, click here.
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