Resources

 Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 applications, and is designed to enhance productivity and learning experiences. For agencies with a Microsoft 365 Professional plan, Copilot is included so it can be used across Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Key features include:

·       Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development: Generates comprehensive lesson plans, assisting educators in creating structured and practical curricula.

·       Automated Grading and Feedback: Assists in evaluating assignments and providing personalized feedback to learners.

·       Interactive Content Creation: Develops engaging quizzes, presentations, and learning materials with diverse instructional strategies.

·       Data Analysis and Insights: Analyzes student performance data to identify learning trends, enabling targeted interventions.

·       Administrative Task Automation: Streamlines routine tasks such as scheduling and communication, allowing educators to focus more on instruction and learner support.

By integrating Microsoft Copilot into their programs, LBS agencies can enhance educational delivery, improve learner outcomes, and optimize operational efficiency. Copilot tutorials can be accessed here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot-skilling.

 Otter AI

Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription service that converts spoken language into written text in real time, enhancing productivity and collaboration for literacy and upskilling agencies. Key features include:

·       Real-Time Transcription: Automatically transcribes live conversations, meetings, and lectures, allowing participants to focus on engagement without the distraction of notetaking.

·       Speaker Identification: Distinguishes between different speakers and accurately assigns dialogue within transcripts, which is beneficial for group discussions and interviews.

·       Custom Vocabulary: Allows the addition of specific terms, acronyms, and jargon to improve transcription accuracy.

·       Integration with Virtual Meeting Platforms: Seamlessly integrates with platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, automatically joining and transcribing meetings and capturing slides shared during sessions.

·       Automated Summaries and Action Items: Generates concise summaries of meetings and identifies action items, ensuring clarity on next steps.

By incorporating Otter.ai into their workflows, LBS agencies can ensure accurate documentation of verbal interactions, support learners with diverse needs, and enhance overall communication efficiency. Access their help centre here: https://help.otter.ai/hc/en-us.

 Perplexity

Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search assistant that provides accurate, real-time information with source citations. Unlike ChatGPT, which is based on pre-2021 data, Perplexity AI uses current information by retrieving information from live web sources. Key features include:

·       Real-Time Information: Provides answers based on current data from credible web sources, ensuring up-to-date knowledge for learners and staff.

·       Source Citations: Offers transparent references for each response, enabling users to verify information further and explore topics.

·       Quick Research Assistance: Helps learners and educators find relevant information quickly, saving time when preparing reports, lesson plans, or assignments.

·       Concise Summaries: Summarizes complex information into easy-to-understand responses, making research more accessible for learners at different literacy levels.

·       Contextual Learning Support: Facilitates self-directed learning by guiding users to trustworthy resources for deeper exploration of topics.

Perplexity AI empowers agencies to ensure the accuracy of instructional content and promote critical thinking by encouraging learners to explore and verify information independently. Access their help centre here: https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/getting-started#what-is-perplexity.

 Quill

Quill.org is an AI-powered literacy platform that provides personalized writing and grammar instruction. Its AI-driven features help both learners and educators focus on skill development in areas like sentence construction, reading comprehension, and evidence-based writing. Key features include:

·       Targeted Feedback: Analyzes learners' responses and provides personalized suggestions to improve writing skills in real-time.

·       Writing and Grammar Exercises: Offers structured activities that help learners develop skills such as sentence combining, grammar correction, and paragraph organization.

·       Reading for Evidence Program: Guides learners in identifying key information from texts and constructing well-supported written responses, promoting critical reading and analytical skills.

·       Progress Tracking: Allows instructors to monitor learners' progress and tailor instruction to meet individual needs.

Quill.org is particularly effective in supporting learners with diverse literacy levels and helps agencies provide scalable, evidence-based writing instruction tailored to individual needs. Access their video tutorials here: https://www.quill.org/teacher-center/topic/video-tutorials.

 Seeing AI

Seeing AI is an AI-powered application designed to assist individuals who are blind or have low vision by narrating the world around them. For LBS agencies, Seeing AI offers tools that can enhance learning and accessibility for visually impaired learners. Key features include:

·       Text Recognition: Instantly reads and narrates short text as it appears in front of the camera, facilitating real-time access to printed materials.

·       Document Scanning: Provides audio guidance to capture full pages of text, recognizing and narrating the content along with its original formatting, which is beneficial for reading longer documents.

·       Product Identification: Scans barcodes to identify products, aiding in tasks such as grocery shopping or organizing materials.

·       Scene Description: Describes scenes captured by the camera, offering contextual information about the user's surroundings.

·       Currency Recognition: Identifies different denominations of currency, assisting in financial transactions.

By integrating Seeing AI into their programs, literacy and upskilling agencies can provide visually impaired learners with tools to access written and visual information independently to promote greater autonomy. Learn more about this app here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/wall-of-fame/seeing-ai/.

 Speechify

Speechify is an AI-driven text-to-speech application that converts written text into natural-sounding audio, enhancing accessibility and learning efficiency. Key features include:

·       Text-to-Speech Conversion: Transforms various forms of text, including documents, web pages, and emails, into spoken words, facilitating learning for individuals with reading difficulties.

·       Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Uses OCR technology to scan physical documents or images, converting printed text into audio format to aid those with visual impairments or dyslexia.

·       Multilingual Support: Offers a wide range of languages and accents, allowing learners to access content in their preferred language, which is beneficial for non-native speakers.

·       Customizable Listening Experience: Enables users to adjust playback speed and choose from various voice options, tailoring the audio output to individual preferences and enhancing comprehension.

·       Platform Compatibility: Available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, and web browsers, ensuring seamless integration into existing workflows and accessibility on various devices.

By incorporating Speechify into their programs, literacy and upskilling agencies can provide an inclusive learning environment, support individuals with diverse needs, and enhance educational outcomes. Access their help centre here: https://help.speechify.com/en/.

 AI Bytes: Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence in LBS Education

AI Bytes is a series of six bulletins developed by Contact North and Literacy Link South Central, aimed at providing valuable insights and resources for educators in adult education, particularly within LBS programs. These bulletins explore the integration of AI into educational practices and offer practical guidance for practitioners. Key topics include:

·       Introduction to AI in Education: An overview of AI concepts and practical applications for LBS practitioners.

·       AI Tools and Assistants: Examines tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT, highlighting their relevance to literacy education.

·       Chatbots and Prompt Engineering: Guidance on utilizing chatbots and crafting effective prompts, including an introduction to a chatbot tailored for LBS practitioners.

·       AI Literacy for Educators: Discussion on the importance of AI literacy, its role in shaping the future workforce, and strategies for enhancing job search techniques using AI-driven tools.

The AI Bytes series offers a deeper understanding of AI's potential in education, equipping LBS practitioners with the knowledge to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching methodologies.

 AI Policies, Ethics, and Practices in LBS (Webinar)

On November 19, 2024, AlphaPlus hosted a Virtual Showcase session titled, "AI Policies, Ethics, and Practices in LBS," focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence within LBS programs. This session provides valuable insights for literacy and upskilling agencies on the ethical considerations and best practices for implementing AI tools in educational settings. Key topics discussed include:

·       Ethical Use of AI: Exploration of the moral implications and responsibilities associated with deploying AI technologies in literacy programs.

·       Policy Development:  Guidance on creating and enforcing policies to ensure the responsible use of AI in educational contexts.

·       Practical Applications: Examples of how AI can effectively enhance learning outcomes in LBS programs.

This session offers a comprehensive understanding of the ethical frameworks and practical strategies necessary for the responsible integration of AI into literacy and upskilling initiatives. 

 AI Use in LBS (Webinar)

On October 22, 2024, AlphaPlus hosted a Virtual Showcase session titled, "AI Use in LBS," focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence in LBS programs. This session featured three guest presenters who shared their experiences and insights on incorporating AI into their educational practices. Key topics discussed include:

·       Practical Applications of AI: Presenters demonstrated how AI tools are being utilized to enhance instructional methods and learner engagement within LBS programs.

·       Benefits and Challenges: The session explored the advantages of integrating AI, such as personalized learning and increased efficiency, as well as potential challenges, such as ethical considerations and resource constraints.

·       Future Directions: Discussions included future possibilities for AI in adult education and strategies for effective implementation.

This session offers valuable insights into the practical use of AI in educational settings and the value of integrating AI technologies into LBS programs. The session's recording and slides are also available for further reference. 

 LBS AI Chatbot for Literacy Education

The LBS Assistant is a custom AI-powered tool designed to support LBS agencies. Hosted on Poe.com, this assistant leverages Poe's multi-model AI platform, giving users access to multiple AI models such as ChatGPT and Claude. This setup lets users simultaneously access answers from numerous AI models to identify the most useful one. Key features include:

·       Custom AI Support: Tailored responses to address the unique needs of LBS programs, including learner inquiries and staff training support.

·       Multi-Model AI Access: Users can interact with various AI models to get diverse perspectives or explore different ways of understanding topics.

·       User-Friendly Platform: Accessible from any device, ensuring seamless support for learners and staff at any location.

·       Knowledge Exploration: The platform supports both casual and structured learning by providing responses to questions related to literacy, communication, and professional skills.

·       Easy Integration: Agencies can use Poe's infrastructure without investing in technical development or maintenance.

The LBS Assistant is an efficient tool for literacy programs aiming to enhance learner engagement and staff collaboration through accessible AI technology.