Three New Project Proposals Approved

Learning to Argue with AI

How can AI support students in finding, organising, and formulating arguments in the lead‑up to a whole‑class debate?

The whole‑class debate is the primary means of practising argumentation skills in school. However, there are large differences in prior knowledge and oral language ability, which prevents students from participating on an equal footing. This project will develop an interactive AI tool that helps students, before the debate, to locate, organise, and formulate arguments. The tool also supports the teacher with differentiation and preparation within limited lesson time.

Together with Sint Janschool, ASKO, Hogeschool Saxion, the University of Amsterdam and Boom Uitgevers Amsterdam. 

#studentsupport #po

Vocabulary Interventions for Children with DLD

How can AI help teachers generate learning materials that support vocabulary lessons for pupils with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

In special education for pupils with DLD, vocabulary is the key to learning. At the same time, vocabulary instruction is especially intensive and challenging for these learners. Repetition and visual support are essential. Teachers spend a lot of time searching for and creating suitable teaching material. This project will develop Fabula, an AI‑tool that assists teachers in quickly generating pedagogically and didactically appropriate, personalised, and inclusive vocabulary material—both word‑based and visual—for pupils with DLD in special education.

Together with Koninklijke Auris Groep, Universiteit Twente and Game Tailors.

#languageeducation #teachersupport #so

More Independent Communication with AI

How can we use AI to make appropriate words readily accessible on speech‑generating devices for non‑speaking or minimally verbal students?

For pupils who do not speak or speak only minimally and therefore rely on a speech‑generating device, finding the right words takes a lot of effort. Conversations become stilted, and teachers spend considerable time manually preparing thematic picture cards. As a result, pupils can participate less spontaneously and their capabilities often remain invisible. This project will develop a plug‑in for existing speech‑generating software. The tool will suggest words and sentences that fit the current conversation or classroom theme and match the pupil’s language level.

Together with the Emiliusschool, Stichting BOOR, Jabbla, Stichting Com in Beeld and Stichting OOK-OC.

#studentsupport #teachersupport #so

Co‑creation in the Triangle

Now that the project proposals have been approved, the new co‑creation teams can truly start their work. Over the next three years the participating schools, together with scientific partners and industry partners, will develop a prototype of a smart AI application in three phases: a concept phase (year 1), a development phase (year 2), and a validation phase (year 3). After three years the co‑creation projects will be completed. The most promising prototypes emerging from NOLAI’s co‑creation projects are expected to find their way onto the education market.