A novel method for tailored computer-based education could alleviate the challenges posed by teacher shortages, insufficient staffing in schools, and ineffective independent study, problems that have intensified post-pandemic.

The EdYOU initiative introduces an AI-driven educational system that pioneers advanced ways to improve learning for both school students and individuals transitioning careers.

Research from Education Week, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that roughly 270,000 educational staff members either resign or retire annually nationwide. The shortage of teachers has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with 41 states along with the District of Columbia experiencing shortages in at least one subject area or grade level in recent years.

Currently, more states are experiencing an increase in unfilled teaching roles and classrooms staffed by underqualified educators compared to past incidents. The preceding year recorded over 55,000 unfilled teaching positions across grades K-12. The U.S. Department of Education categorizes teacher shortages into three groups: unoccupied roles, roles occupied by inadequately trained teachers, and roles filled by teachers certified in a disparate subject area.

Enrollment in programs for teacher certification is on the decline or remains unchanged nationwide. Recent statistics indicate a significant rise in the number of teachers leaving the profession over the past two years, a stark contrast to the previous decade’s figures. Moreover, surveys have identified an increased level of job dissatisfaction among teachers, with 12% expressing unhappiness in their roles. Additionally, over 40% of teachers are contemplating quitting within the next couple of years.

In response to the burgeoning teacher shortage, Michael Everest, the founder and CEO of edYOU, has introduced an innovative approach to address the limitations of conventional educational methods. Through customized tutoring and educational resources, edYOU aims to support both students and teachers, filling the void created by the lack of staff and ensuring students receive the necessary attention.

“I launched edYOU driven by a desire to reverse the declining trends in educational outcomes. Notably, edYOU is the premier company that relies on AI, distinct from typical chatbots, by employing meta-humans [animations] that teach through real-time conversational methods instead of pre-recorded sessions,” he shared with TechNewsWorld.

The foundation of this strategy is its adaptability. Everest created three avatars for the platform, designed as safe AI constructs. Each avatar provides tailored, ongoing assistance, promotes interactive communication, and presents a unique educational experience, Everest detailed.

EdYOU provides APIs that facilitate seamless integration with widely used educational tools in classrooms, learning management systems, and corporate environments. Users across different age groups can access the platform through a web browser or mobile application, choosing the specific type of academic assistance and subject areas they require.

While studying, students can engage their AI avatar companions for tutoring or clarifications on various topics, promoting self-paced learning. For example, during the creation of multiple-choice tests, avatars like Hannah, Nova, or Eddie can offer support in selecting the correct options.

Students have the option to choose their subject preferences and interact with their avatar study partners, as illustrated in the sample video from the company’s YouTube channel that showcases the interactive learning interface.

If errors occur during the learning process, the intelligent tutoring system explains the mistakes comprehensively, helping students understand their errors and learn effectively from them.

The edYOU platform utilizes artificial intelligence to create a secure and efficient learning environment, adaptable to both home and school settings. Central to this experience is an avatar that acts as a personal tutor for the student.

Students can avoid the traditional method of typing out questions and reading lengthy responses. Instead, through voice-activated interactions made possible by clicking a microphone icon, they engage in natural-sounding conversations that enhance the learning experience.

All dialogues within the platform are encrypted. Additionally, student information is anonymized and compiled in bulk prior to monitoring by the platform’s staff. Transparency is upheld as parents are given access to their children’s session transcripts and audio recordings.

To further support users, EdYOU offers around-the-clock assistance through in-app messaging, emails, and phone calls, ensuring that students and parents have constant access to human support. The educational team is comprised of Ph.D.-level scientists, experienced educators, child psychology specialists, data ethics professionals, and knowledgeable AI technologists and engineers.

This unique method of instruction differs significantly from other tech-based and traditional educational aids, emphasized Everest. Learners can interact with their avatars for accurate responses or assistance with their studies.

The system implements natural language processing (NLP) to craft conversations that are specifically attuned to an individual’s interests and levels of understanding. It goes beyond mere repetition of online data. These specialized conversational “AI beings” nurture mentor-like bonds with students, offering a highly tailored educational experience.

Everest also notes the importance of adaptability in EdYOU’s high success metrics. While many platforms strive for a one-size-fits-all approach, he believes in the necessity of training AI to adjust methods and personalize interactions for each user.

“This philosophy is central to edYOU, making it broad in appeal yet intimately personal,” he added.

Traditional education follows a standard model that treats all students the same, lacking options for diverse learning styles. Attention spans in classrooms tend to be short, a concern not as prevalent with avatar-based learning methods.

With digital learning tools, students can explore topics at their own pace and seek out information as needed, eliminating the anxiety associated with asking questions in a crowded classroom setting.

“There are complexities to consider. For instance, not all questions are easily answerable via online searches, and even if they are, answers may lack necessary context,” noted Everest, highlighting the limitations of some digital educational aids.

The curriculum in schools often remains unchanged for extended periods, relying on textbooks that are up to a decade old and teaching practices that have become obsolete.

“It is challenging to cater to success for all when students are lumped together, and some teachers have up to 100 students. The current system works, but it is not designed to promote higher success rates, as these numbers continue to fall each year,” observed Everest.

The AI technology creates personalized tutoring based on participant interaction and data insights gained from them. It is similar to one-on-one virtual tutoring, supported by the vast knowledge of AI and expert-collected information.

The teaching tool encourages the safe use of AI in education. According to Everest, responsible AI enables teachers to enhance their effectiveness while prioritizing their well-being.

“This type of AI platform can serve as a valuable assistant to teachers and educators, providing support and enhancing the learning experience. It should be properly filtered to ensure factual accuracy and alignment with the approved curriculum,” he said.

“This support level can be incredibly empowering for individuals who may otherwise feel discouraged and overwhelmed,” he noted.

Everest insists this controlled use of instructional AI is the future of modern education. He wanted people not to feel like they were only interacting with tech, which is how the idea of an avatar came about.

Developing the AI platform was not an easy endeavor. It was a lengthy process that ended up looking very different from the initial vision.

“It took years of researching different developers and going through many trial attempts to get it as meta-human as I had imagined,” said Everest of his developmental journey.

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