How quickly we forget what it was like before spellcheck was a standard part of our writing lives. Is it cheating to use a spellchecker? How much time would you be spending on extra proofreading of your assignments, lesson plans, worksheets, etc.? Think about that for a second. Spellcheck makes writing more accessible and inclusive for everyone. You do not need an IEP or 504 plan to benefit from these assistive technology. However, there are teachers out there that want to block AI in their classroom. That AI has a double meaning thought. Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility and Inclusion. Blocking the first one, blocks the other as well.
I have been on both sides of the fence now that I work in edtech. I spent years looking for ways to make learning more accessible and used a wide variety of tools over the years. One of the last ones I did use was SchoolAI. I saw how I could create Spaces that would allow my students to get the support when they needed it, how they needed it. That is what is key here. I did not create a tool that just helped out a couple of students. I created a Space that was able to help all of the students when they needed the help. They might not think they need the support, but it was there for them when they needed it. I made design lessons more accessible and inclusive by giving students access to Spaces that could help them form their ideas and process the approach they were going to take to accomplish the assignment. New technology can be scary, but that does not mean everything scary should be blocked. I thought we had dealt with this approach over a decade ago with YouTube.
Working on the SchoolAI side now for over a year, I have been so lucky to work with a team that is dedicated to making sure our platform supports all learners. Not just neurodivergent students AND educators, but ANYONE that needs a little extra help. That is what is so important to think about when it comes to exploring what accessibility and inclusion looks like in your classroom, school, or district. When decisions are being made, are the most vulnerable students be considered? When we remove access to tools that some learners depend on, who is benefitting?
There is so much nuance to the discussion of using AI in the classroom. AI is becoming backed into so many different tools that any district will be hard pressed to find an edtech tool that does not have an AI feature. I'm not even suggesting that schools dive in without due diligence. I want people to think about all learners when they do the the due diligence.
I am lucky to be at a company that has made access and inclusion an important part of what we do to help teachers make school awesome every day for every learner. I'd love to hear how others are exploring the new trends in edtech and how access and inclusion is part of the conversation.
