Imagine a learning experience where science and mathematics lessons feel tailor-made, adapting perfectly to your individual pace. That’s precisely what researchers at the Web Science Lab at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) are creating. They’re developing an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered system named ‘Navigated Learning for STEM Education.’ This ground-breaking project aims to guide every student along a personalized pathway, transforming challenging subjects into easily digestible concepts, and even generating custom visuals and supplementary materials to aid comprehension.
This ambitious initiative receives crucial backing from Gooru Learning, a California-based non-profit organization. Gooru Learning brings over 13 years of expertise, having developed the foundational ‘Learning Navigator’ technology that underpins this exciting new system.
Your Personal GPS for Learning
Think of Navigated Learning as your academic ‘Google Maps.’ Just as a GPS plots the optimal route from your starting point to your desired destination, this AI system precisely pinpoints a student’s current understanding. From there, it intelligently recommends the most effective learning path forward. This approach stands in stark contrast to many current online platforms, which often deliver generic lessons. Instead, Navigated Learning dynamically adapts in real-time, responding to each student’s unique strengths, areas for improvement, and individual learning speed.
This pioneering project is being brought to life by three talented Master of Science (MS) students, under the expert mentorship of Srinath Srinivasa, Dean of Research and Development, and Sushree S. Behera, Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science and AI. One student, Ashashree Sharma, is dedicated to constructing models that meticulously track student interactions within a classroom network, with the goal of enhancing both individual achievement and collaborative group learning experiences.
Another student, Rishita Patel, is focusing on creating advanced AI tools capable of automatically generating high-quality diagrams and compelling visuals. These tools are designed to simplify complex concepts, making them far easier for teachers to explain and for students to internalize. Meanwhile, Suhan Roy’s research centers on developing dynamic ‘learning maps’ that plot the most efficient and personalized educational journey for each student, ultimately leading to faster acquisition of knowledge and superior academic outcomes.
Traditional STEM education often struggles with two significant challenges: a lack of student engagement, largely due to rigid, one-size-fits-all teaching methods, and a difficulty in proving real-time learning efficacy. This innovative project directly addresses both issues head-on. Professor Srinivasa highlights the importance of engagement, stating, “Keeping students engaged is a major challenge, especially in online learning and continuing education. Navigated Learning offers an attractive way for learners to track and curate their own journeys.”
Echoing this sentiment, Professor Behera emphasized that the project’s core mission is to bridge existing gaps in conventional STEM education through the strategic application of cutting-edge technology. She elaborated, “What makes this framework truly unique is its unwavering commitment to placing the student at the absolute center of the learning process. It possesses the transformative potential to redefine how personalized education is conceptualized and, more importantly, how it is delivered.”