An innovative learning platform based on AI
Students with disabilities are constantly increasing and represent 4.1% of the total student body. Whilst the number of support teachers is also growing (+10%) and there is a good student-teacher ratio, the effectiveness of learning is not progressing because one teacher in three does not have any specific training and 12% are assigned too late [Istat, Aumentano gli alunni con disabilità e persistono criticità per l’inclusione scolastica, 2024]. Furthermore, the available tools are not flexible.
Yesterday, Google presented and inaugurated the Accessibility Discovery Centre at its Milan headquarters to inspire and provide visitors with yet another example of how technology is also at the service of people with disabilities [see news: An Environment for Accessible Technology]. Alongside Melissa Ferretti Peretti, VP and Country Manager Google Italy, Mirta Michilli, Director General of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, presented Pathway Companion, an innovative learning platform with intelligent tutoring to support educators, teachers, and caregivers and facilitate the growth of children and young people with special educational needs, guaranteeing greater safety even on-line. The platform, which will be included in Google's Accessibility Discovery Centre, is funded by Google.org in collaboration with a partnership of excellence – Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, ITLogiX, University of Roma Tre – a consortium to support all educational communities engaged in highly vulnerable and fragile contexts.
The platform technology is based on three powerful AI engines, trained to ensure personalized educational support. The first identifies the best compensatory tools for a student's special needs. The second allows the automatic adaptation of any teaching material, uploaded by the teacher or tutor, personalizing it with the necessary compensatory tools. Finally, the third engine constantly improves the personalization of content adaptation. Interaction with the platform occurs through a chat, which also allows requests for further changes or refinements to the teaching material. In this way, users can quickly obtain tailored answers and suggestions, making the experience fluid and without any technological barriers.
