Percentage Calculations Tailored: How AI Strengthens Economics Education

We said to each other: how great would it be if we had AI just for percentage calculations?

Personalized Learning with AI

The project focuses on developing personalized learning paths for percentage calculations. Through a digital learning environment based on a knowledge graph, students receive assignments tailored to their level. “The range of abilities in a class is so wide that it’s almost impossible to offer truly customized learning,” says Maurice. The graph visualizes skill development and helps teachers provide more targeted guidance. This way, students are supported in a personalized and motivating way as they learn to work with percentages.

Co-Creation Partners at Work

The scientific foundation of the project is provided by the University of Groningen. StudioVO is involved as an industry partner, delivering high-quality learning materials in the form of a large question database and a calculation tool. These materials are enriched with interactive and adaptive elements. “At first, as teachers, we weren’t sure what exactly we were going to do. But since we met in person, I’ve become really enthusiastic. The researchers and developers came to ROER College to explain everything, and that made the theory very concrete.”

It needs to be an interactive and enjoyable way for students to work on percentage calculations.

Connecting to Students’ World

The pilot starts after the Christmas break and lasts eight weeks. During the pilot, the focus is on testing the knowledge graph in combination with StudioVO’s system. The economics teacher hopes to see clear differences between the test group and the control group: “That would mean we’re doing something right.” At this stage, the learning environment still looks like a simple website with questions and exercises. But eventually, it should include game elements: different levels, fun avatars, attractive graphics, and rewards in the form of badges or points. The goal is to make the application align with students’ interests and experiences. “It needs to be an interactive and enjoyable way for students to work on percentage calculations.”

Broadly Applicable and Future-Oriented

Although the project starts within the economics subject, its potential is much broader. Percentage calculations appear in many subjects, from biology to mathematics. “Economics brings everything together: reading comprehension, math skills, formulas. But the problem goes beyond economics.” The possibilities to use the tool more widely in the future—such as for all lower secondary students—are within reach. At the same time, the team is careful to maintain focus: “The team deliberately keeps the project scope limited so it remains manageable and results in a workable product.”