Project F01. How smartphone virtual assistants and applications powered by artificial intelligence can help promote the academic success of postsecondary students with disabilities

Research Team

Dawson College

McGill University

Concordia University

Project Leader

Dr. Catherine Fichten, Dawson College and McGill University (catherine.fichten@mcgill.ca)

Abstract

The goal was to explore the features and functions of AI-based virtual assistants and smartphone apps that can help post-secondary students with disabilities succeed in their academic work. To achieve this goal we did an extensive literature search and bring together stakeholders from various sectors by creating a 15-member Advisory Board. Based on this information we created an accessible questionnaire about the use of AI-based virtual assistants and smartphone apps to get the invaluable student perspective.

Publications, presentations, resources

Adaptech Research Network. (2020, May). Canadian and international experts weigh in: An annotated list of AI-related resources for college and university students with and without disabilities. Montreal (DOCX)
Vo, C. (2021, January 28). Use of virtual assistants for schoolwork. Adaptech Research Network. (DOCX)
Martiniello, N., Asuncion, J., Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Havel, A., Harvison, M., Legault, A., Lussier, A., & Vo, C. (2020). Artificial intelligence for students in postsecondary education: A world of opportunity. AI Matters, 6(3), 17-29 (PDF)
Fichten, C., & Vo, C. Coding Manual: What 237 Post-Secondary Students Said About Their Technologies for Schoolwork in 2019-2020. Adaptech Research Network. (XLSX)
Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., & Legault, A., in collaboration with Vo, C., Pickup, D., Martiniello, N., & Concordia’s CSLP Systematic Review Team. (2021, April 7). The intel on AI: Adaptech looks at post-secondary students with disabilities and artificial intelligence [Invited speakers]. CRISPESH Midi-Conférence, Montreal, QC, Canada (PPT EN, PPT FR)
Concordia’s CSLP Systematic Review Team. (2021). Systematic Review: How can virtual assistants and AI-based smartphone apps help post-secondary students with disabilities succeed in their studies (DOCX)
Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Arcuri, R., Vo, C., Budd, J., Legault, A., & Havel, A. (2021, June 3). Are AI-based virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant ready for college? [Virtual poster presentation]. 10th Annual SALTISE Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada. (PPT)
Fichten, C., & Jorgensen, M., in collaboration with Martiniello, N., & Vo, C. (2021, March 6-14). Are AI based apps smart enough for college students? [Conference presentation]. 36th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, Northridge, CA, United States. (PPT)
Fichten, C., Jorgensen, M., Pickup, D., Schmid, R., & Libman, E. (2021, December 15). AI project objectives, goals, and accomplishments: How Can Virtual Assistants and AI-Based Smartphone Apps Help Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities Succeed in their Studies? [Invited speakers] Last meeting of the PIA community of practice “Training Projects,” Montreal, QC, Canada. (PPT)
Fichten, C., Pickup, D., Asuncion, J., Jorgensen, M., Vo, C., Legault, A., & Libman, E. (2021). Current state of the research on artificial intelligence based apps for post-secondary student with disabilities. Exceptionality Education International, 31(1), 62-76. (PDF)