Accessible Artificial Intelligence Tutoring Software for Mathematics

描述（由申请人提供）：这个快速通道应用程序专注于开发第一个人工智能（AI）教育软件，向盲人和视障人士教授发展性数学。该项目响应了美国国家眼科研究所的“教学工具”和“满足盲人或弱视者康复和日常生活需要的其他设备”的视觉损伤和失明项目的一般研究课题。正在开发的干预措施将为盲人K-12，大学和成人学生提供一套具有综合人工智能评估能力的综合人工智能数学辅导系统，以便在家庭和学校学习期间根据需要使用。一种先进的人工智能辅导方法，其设计固有的可访问性，将对数学以外的许多学科领域的发展产生广泛的影响。项目目标包括：横向扩展无障碍课程内容覆盖（比例、百分比、线性方程、公制单位、科学记数法）1)对AI导师现有用户界面进行初步无障碍审查和分析。2)执行来自NFB、指导员和其他合作伙伴的无障碍要求和建议。3)要求实施后进行最终评审，获得NFB无障碍认证。4)制定并发布数学教育学和数学技术教师调查。无障碍功能与技术能力的纵向拓展5)在人工智能技术中实现盲文支持。6)在分数上开发额外的AI导师，使用可访问的AI框架从第一原理自动访问。无障碍人工智能教育技术的评估7)与盲人学生及其教师一起对无障碍人工智能技术进行实地评估。8)由合作伙伴和其他利益相关者继续演示和审查可访问的人工智能技术。第三阶段成功的准备工作已由在商业上和技术上都很重要的伙伴参与，例如全国盲人联合会和美国盲人印刷厂。此外，Quantum已经与McGraw- Hill和Holt， Rinehart和Winston，两家全国领先的教育出版商，以及一家主要的科学教育目录公司CyberEd， Inc.，一家PLATO学习公司建立了长期合作伙伴关系。公共卫生相关性：一般来说，对改进数学教育软件的需求相当大，但为盲人和视障人士提供高质量的教育软件材料的问题尤其严重。薄弱的数学背景可能会对日常生活活动造成不必要的限制，严重阻碍甚至排除在科学、技术、工程和数学等STEM领域接受更高级的数学教育和职业的有效追求。通过之前联邦政府支持的研究，Quantum Simulations, Inc.已经成功开发、测试并将用于发展数学的人工智能（AI）辅导系统引入课堂。这个快速通道项目的目标是将这种尖端教育技术的全部力量和好处带给盲人和视力受损的学生。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Fast-Track application focuses on developing the first artificial intelligence (AI) educational software to teach developmental mathematics to the blind and visually impaired. This project responds to the National Eye Institute's General Research Topics for "teaching tools" and the Visual Impairment and Blindness Program for "other devices that meet the rehabilitative and everyday living needs of persons who are blind or have low vision." The intervention being developed will place a comprehensive set of AI mathematics tutoring systems with integrated AI assessment capabilities in the hands of the blind K-12, college and adult student, for use on demand during study at home and at school. The formulation of an advanced AI tutoring methodology with accessibility inherent to its design will have broad implications for development in many subject areas beyond mathematics. Project objectives include: Horizontal Expansion of Accessible Curriculum Content Coverage (Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Linear Equations, Metric Units, Scientific Notation) 1) Conduct initial accessibility review and analysis of AI tutor's existing user interface. 2) Implement accessibility requirements and recommendations from NFB, instructors and other partners. 3) Conduct final review to gain NFB accessibility certification after implementation of requirements. 4) Develop and issue survey of instructors on mathematics pedagogy and technology. Vertical Expansion of Accessible Features and Technological Capability 5) Implement Braille support in AI technology. 6) Develop additional AI tutor on Fractions that is automatically accessible from first principles using accessible AI framework. Evaluation of Accessible AI Educational Technology 7) Field evaluation of accessible AI technology with blind students and their instructors. 8) Continued demonstration and review of accessible AI technology by partners and other stakeholders. Preparation for success in Phase III has already been undertaken by involving partners that are important commercially as well as technically, such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). In addition, Quantum already has long-term partnerships established with McGraw- Hill and Holt, Rinehart and Winston, two of the country's leading educational publishers, as well as a major science education catalog company, CyberEd, Inc., a PLATO Learning Company. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: There is a considerable need for improved educational software for mathematics in general, but the problem of quality educational software materials for the blind and visually impaired is particularly acute. A weak mathematics background can cause unnecessary limitations in daily living activities and seriously hinder or even preclude effective pursuit of more advanced mathematics education and careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through previous federally-supported research, Quantum Simulations, Inc. has successfully developed, tested and brought to the classroom artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring systems for developmental mathematics. The goal of this Fast-Track project is to bring the full power and benefit of this cutting-edge educational technology to students who are blind and visually impaired.