Digital literacy has always been important in education. But now — in a world where technology has quickly evolved to permeate every facet of education — it’s more important than ever. With edYOU Technologies, Dr. Michael Everest aims to equip students of all ages with the digital literacy they need to thrive.
EdYOU is a platform that harnesses the power of AI to help students of all ages. Its most unique innovation is what Dr. Everest calls an “AI being,” or a human-like interactive avatar that can have conversations with students.
“We have developed an incredibly life-like AI being that offers interactive communication and a unique learning experience,” he says. “What sets this AI apart from other AI technologies is the addition of a human-like face, which adds a new dimension to the interaction. I refer to this as the ‘Safe Face of AI.’”
For students, simply understanding why schools use edYOU is an important first step toward improving digital literacy. Many kids believe anything they read on the internet, and unless they learn to discern reliable sources from unreliable ones, they’re bound to have trouble navigating the world of learning.
Even young children can understand that because AI beings rely on information given to them by educators, they are trustworthy sources. From there, they can learn the importance of scrutinizing the source of any kind of information before accepting it as fact.
“When studying, you can ask the AI to generate answers for you, like writing out ABC options,” Dr. Everest explains. “During multiple-choice question preparation, the AI will assist you in selecting the correct answers, and if an answer is wrong, she will explain what went wrong and why. This interactive and personalized assistance aims to enhance the learning process and provide valuable feedback to students.”
Dr. Everest illustrates this capability with an example. “We have designed it to be customizable, tailoring it to various subjects and topics based on the specific clients’ needs,” he says.
“Typically, an average student would learn through a basic PowerPoint presentation,” Dr. Everest continued. “The technology ingests this PowerPoint presentation into our system for replication. Hannah, our life-like AI, goes through the slides, teaching the students and being available to answer any questions they may have.”
He concludes, “This interactive approach enhances the learning experience, providing a dynamic and engaging way for students to grasp the material.”
One common hindrance to the development of digital literacy is the belief that artificial intelligence is intended to replace people, eliminating the need for many types of careers. While that’s an understandable attitude, those who are able to adapt to (and thrive in) a tech-heavy culture are those who come to understand AI as a tool.
“It doesn’t take people’s jobs,” says Dr. Everest about AI. “It helps society, and it helps our educational outcomes to improve.”
Through edYOU, students learn first hand that AI is best used as a tool. For instance, while edYOU’s AI beings offer educational support, they are not a substitute for teachers. Instead, they help students when teachers cannot be there— like during late-night study sessions, school holidays or outside of school hours.
Nothing teaches you the strengths and weaknesses of a given technology like working with it directly. Because artificial intelligence has become an integral part of many industries, students who have experience working with AI through edYOU will have a head start even before they enter the workforce.
Of course, students can’t sharpen their digital literacy skills if they don’t have access to cutting-edge technology in the first place. For Dr. Everest, one of the most important features of edYOU is its accessibility. EdYOU may not be able to solve all of education’s inequity, but it’s a great place to start.
Students who use edYOU have already discovered its benefits, and the technology has begun to achieve recognition beyond the classroom. Dr. Everest is hopeful about plans to expand access.
“I am collaborating with a major educational publisher to reach an agreement to expand the reach of this technology,” says Dr. Everest. “It is designed to aid those who don’t fit the conventional support systems but still fall within specific parameters. My unique efforts involve initiating studies and challenging traditional academic norms.”
“The platform’s accessibility means individuals with various circumstances can still access valuable educational resources and continue their studies,” says Dr. Everest. “We aim to empower students and teachers alike, ensuring that everyone has access to quality education and the tools they need to succeed.”