AI Tools in Special Education
Written by:
Wilson College
• Aug 7, 2024
Special education provides opportunities for individuals with learning challenges to prepare for the future. In the 2022-2023 school year, special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helped address the learning needs of 7.5 million students with disabilities aged 3-21, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), offers the potential to optimize education. AI in special education can provide additional advantages for both students and teachers—from handling administrative tasks like grading and scheduling to enhancing personalized learning and adaptive testing. Opinions on AI’s impact in K-12 education can vary. According to Pew Research Center, 25% of teachers believe AI does more harm than good, 32% see a mix of benefits and drawbacks, and 35% remain uncertain.
As AI continues to grow in use and influence, what should individuals exploring pathways to creating more accessible learning environments know about AI in special education? Earning a bachelor’s degree in special education is a solid starting point to understanding about the applications, tools, and benefits of AI in education.
How Is AI Used in Education?
AI can foster personalized learning experiences and provide vital support to educators. Through advanced algorithms and machine learning, AI can help teachers tailor educational content to each student’s needs. This level of personalization is particularly important in special education because it enhances the learning experience for students with special needs by adapting materials to their strengths and weaknesses, promoting inclusivity and effectiveness.
AI-driven communication tools also facilitate better interactions, significantly improving the educational experiences and quality of life for these students. In addition to aiding students, AI can provide administrative support to educators by automating routine tasks and generating reports efficiently. This support allows teachers to focus more on direct instructional activities and personalized student engagement. It empowers educators with tools to deliver a more personalized educational experience, helping students achieve independence and confidence in their learning journey.
6 AI Tools for Special Education Teachers and Students
AI in special education bridges gaps in learning and communication and empowers teachers to create more inclusive and effective learning environments. Here are diverse ways AI tools can help special education teachers and students.
1. Adaptive Learning
Adaptive learning tools identify areas where students need more help and where they excel, aiding teachers in planning effective lessons. They track progress, set goals, and offer hints and help when students struggle. Teachers can use adaptive learning tools to provide customized resources and activities to meet each student’s unique needs.
For example, if a student struggles with adding fractions, an AI tool may offer additional practice problems. Customizable interfaces are particularly beneficial for neurodiverse students and those with various physical abilities, ensuring that all students have access to effective and personalized education.
2. Intelligent Tutoring
AI-powered tools, such as intelligent tutoring systems and virtual assistants, provide custom instruction and feedback. These tools allow students to progress at their own pace and focus on areas needing improvement. AI platforms adjust the difficulty level of assignments based on student progress, ensuring a challenging yet achievable learning experience.
3. Virtual Assistants and Chatbots
AI introduces interactive learning companions, such as virtual assistants and chatbots, that engage students in personalized dialogues, offering real-time feedback and guidance. These tools often include gamification elements to increase engagement. Additionally, socially aware AI tools with emotional intelligence can create safe spaces for children to practice communication skills and build confidence.
4. Webpage Interactions
Integrating accessibility features into lesson plans can assist students who struggle with visual content. AI tools can help students navigate and understand webpage structures through auditory feedback. Additionally, voice-activated AI assistants, such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, use spoken dialogue models for interaction.
5. Task Automation
AI enhances administrative efficiency in special education by automating routine tasks, such as grading, attendance tracking, and scheduling. Through automation, educators can focus more on direct instructional activities and personalized student engagement. AI systems can grade multiple-choice questions, provide initial essay assessments, and generate reports efficiently.
6. Individualized Education Programs
AI tools can streamline the creation of individualized education programs (IEPs), which are legal documents crucial for supporting students with special needs. These documents require collaborative efforts between educators and families and are time consuming to write. AI can help simplify the writing process, freeing up educators to better support their students.
Benefits of AI in Special Education
AI-driven communication tools can enhance interactions, improving the educational experiences and quality of life for students with special needs. By bridging communication gaps, AI can make education more inclusive and effective, transforming how educators teach and students learn. These personalized and interactive experiences have the potential to help students and teachers overcome educational challenges, creating a richer learning environment.
By automating routine administrative tasks, educators can focus more on teaching. This allows teachers to spend more time on direct student engagement and personalized instruction. AI applications can also streamline the assessment process by providing timely feedback and enabling targeted instructional strategies based on real-time analysis of student performance.
Integrating AI into education can help address the growing digital skills gap, enhancing students’ digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. This preparation is crucial for future job demands.
Make a Meaningful Impact in Special Education
Special education is rich with innovation and promise. Educators have an opportunity to impact the lives of students with special needs using AI in special education environments. They can improve their skills and credentials by earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education degree from Wilson College Online .
Learn how enrolling in the B.A. in Special Education program, taught by real practitioners and educators, can help prepare you with advanced skills to create deeper, more inclusive experiences and help students achieve independence and confidence.
Recommended Readings
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Special Education?
How to Get a Special Education Certification
Sources:
Education Week, “The Pros and Cons of AI in Special Education”
EDUCAUSE Review, “3 Ways AI Can Help Students With Disabilities”
Edutopia, “Using AI to Save Time and Reduce the Workload When Writing IEPs”
Google, “Let’s Get Personal: Adaptive Learning Tech and Education”
Leadership Magazine, “Leveraging AI in Special Education”
LinkedIn, “How AI Is Revolutionizing Special Education”
National Center for Education Statistics, Students With Disabilities
World Economic Forum, “The Future of Learning: How AI Is Revolutionizing Education 4.0”
