By Jenna Somers
Almost anyone who starts a new job reads training and policy documents as part of an on-boarding process. They might peruse the assigned reading to check the right boxes, but how much are they really learning in the process? How can employers verify learning from training materials and improve how these documents convey information, and how can employees take ownership of their learning?
To help answer these questions, scholars in the at Vanderbilt of education and human development have created , an innovative AI learning tool that transforms static text into interactive learning experiences and tracks learner progress.
With iTELL, static text documents are converted into web-based, interactive reading experiences. Users can hover over text and ask questions of the AI about what they鈥檙e reading. They progress through chapters answering written-response questions for which they receive immediate, tailored AI feedback to improve their comprehension of the material. Users also provide self-explanations about their understanding of the text, and the AI can guide them through re-reading sections they may not have fully processed. Both employers and employees can track data and use analytics to compare individual and company-wide learning outcomes and address knowledge gaps.
University support for iTELL
The innovation ecosystem at Vanderbilt has taken notice of iTELL鈥檚 commercial potential. The iTELL team, led by , professor of psychology and human development, won an Innovation Catalyst Award from the and a .
Langdon Holmes and Wesley Morris, Ph.D. students at Peabody College, lead iTELL鈥檚 technological development and commercialization efforts, respectively, along with Amara Zulfiqar, an MBA student at Owen Graduate School of Management, who works closely with Morris on iTELL鈥檚 commercial viability.
Zulfiqar presented iTELL to investors through the program, a collaboration between the Office of the and the .
The team was recently accepted to the National Science Foundation鈥檚 National I-Corps program, following their successful completion of the regional I-Corps program hosted by the , Vanderbilt鈥檚 Innovation Center. Chevron also gave a $50,000 gift to the team to further develop iTELL and bring it to market.
鈥淲hen we were going through the customer-discovery interviews of the I-Corps program, it became clear that there was a real industry need for something like iTELL,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淭he I-Corps program and the Chancellor鈥檚 Launch grant have offered valuable access to industry mentors who can help us set goals and bring iTELL into the market. We鈥檙e interested in collaborating with partners who want to change the way learning and development teams do training.鈥�
As the team lays the groundwork to commercialize iTELL as a workplace training tool, they have piloted it at several universities, where they have found evidence that it improves learning and user satisfaction. They also see potential for introducing iTELL into K-12 classrooms to aid students鈥� reading comprehension and create more interactive learning experiences.
For now, they are keenly focused on developing a foothold in the workplace, grateful for the Vanderbilt community that has encouraged them along the way.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been blown away by the level of support we鈥檝e received in terms of grants and the guidance of the CTTC. The Vanderbilt community has been fantastic,鈥� Holmes said.
鈥淲e also really appreciate the support of the Vanderbilt alumni community. When Amara and I are at conferences and we mention that we鈥檙e part of a Vanderbilt team, we鈥檙e greeted by dozens of Vanderbilt alumni. Hearing their support and encouragement has been very helpful and inspiring,鈥� Morris said.
iTELL is a technology developed with support from the National , a research institute funded by the National Science Foundation and Accenture through NSF. Led by Georgia Institute of Technology, AI-ALOE brings together researchers and experts in cognitive and learning science, computer science, and education from a consortium of universities, including Vanderbilt University. Scott Crossley is a member of AI-ALOE鈥檚 executive committee.
