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From Struggles to Strengths : Exploring How AI-Powered Assistive Tools Shape Inclusive and Accessible Learning
Adrichem, A.M van (2025) From Struggles to Strengths : Exploring How AI-Powered Assistive Tools Shape Inclusive and Accessible Learning.
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| Abstract: | Education is constantly changing and evolving, causing new obstacles for those with learning difficulties to receive the right support and access to inclusive learning. Artificial Intelligence, as the basis for AI-powered assistive tools for learning, has received attention as a promising solution by offering personalized and real-time solutions that support user needs. This study addresses, in an exploratory way, how AI-powered assistive tools support individuals with learning difficulties by impacting accessible and inclusive learning. Through qualitative research with semi-structured interviews, twelve participants shared their experiences with AI assistive tools for learning in different real-life contexts. A thematic analysis was applied, showing how AI-powered assistive tools empowered the participants in different areas such as user motivation, perceived usability and user experience, and accessibility as well as inclusivity. The tools boosted confidence and offered personalized and adaptive learning strategies during high-pressure contexts such as exams and deadlines. Popular tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Natural Reader are appreciated for their ease of use and diverse functionalities, although they show usability barriers, transparency concerns, and unequal access, leading to frustration. While the findings suggest that personalization of the tools and learning support led to accessibility and inclusivity improvements, barriers in user experience, usability, and equal access need to be considered to improve this effect. This study contributes to theory by adding a user-focused approach and widening the landscape of how and why users interact with technology, emphasizing the need for user-centered design of AI tools that improves equal access. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Science BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107006 |
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