Module 3: Other AI tools for your learning

AI isn’t just about chatbots! Other tools can help you learn in different ways, for example:

Describe Picture: Creates image descriptions for accessibility.
Gamma: Makes slide decks automatically.
Napkin: Turns text into diagrams.
HeyGen: Creates videos with avatars and voiceovers.
tl;dv: Summarises meeting notes or lectures.
NotebookLM: Helps you study by analysing your uploaded notes.
Litmaps: Finds related research papers.

Each has strengths and risks — always think about what data you’re giving them.

2. AI assistive learning

Every learner is different. Some students may:

Have difficulty reading, writing, or seeing text.
Learn better through audio, visuals, or interactive activities.
Need extra help organising ideas or managing workload.
Speak English as an additional language.

AI tools can help by offering alternative ways to learn and communicate, supporting accessibility and inclusion. AI tools can:

Read text aloud (supporting users with dyslexia or low vision).
Turn speech into text (helpful for users who struggle with typing or have motor difficulties).
Translate content into different languages.
Simplify complex text into plain language.
Create visual aids to explain concepts.
Offer personalised practice based on a student’s pace and level.

3. AI Tools for Inclusive Learning

Here are some widely used AI-powered tools that support assistive and inclusive education.

🔊 Text-to-Speech & Speech-to-Text

Microsoft Read Aloud (Word/Edge) – Reads out documents and webpages.
Natural Reader (https://www.naturalreaders.com/) – Converts text to natural-sounding speech.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking – Speech recognition for writing and commands.
Otter.ai – Live transcription of lectures/meetings (note: data security considerations).

📝 Writing & Reading Support

Grammarly – Writing support with grammar, tone, and clarity suggestions.
QuillBot – Rewrites and simplifies text into different levels.
Microsoft Immersive Reader – Helps with focus, font choices, and breaking down text.
Speechify – Reads text aloud with customisable voices.

🌍 Language & Translation

Google Translate – Instant text, speech, and image translation.
DeepL Translate – High-quality language translations.
ChatGPT / Copilot – Can simplify or rephrase text for English language learners.

👀 Visual Learning & Accessibility

Be My Eyes (https://www.bemyeyes.com/) – AI-powered visual assistance for blind/low-vision users.
Seeing AI (Microsoft) – Describes people, text, and objects around you.
Napkin AI – Creates diagrams and visuals from text prompts.
Canva AI – Generates accessible visuals and layouts.

🧑‍🏫 Learning & Organisation

Khanmigo (Khan Academy AI tutor) – Provides personalised tutoring in maths, science, and more.
NotebookLM – Summarises documents and supports note-taking.
MindMeister with AI – Creates mind maps to organise ideas visually.
Trello + AI plugins – Helps manage workload and deadlines.

3. Using AI Safely

Check privacy settings: Some AI tools store data in the cloud. Avoid sharing personal or sensitive information.
Don’t rely on AI alone: AI is a support, not a replacement for teaching or learning.
Try different tools: Not every tool works for everyone — experiment to find what helps you best.

AI tools collect data. To protect yourself:

❌ Never share:

Your name, address, email, or ID numbers
Other people’s personal details
Your school login, passwords, or assessments

✅ Safe to ask about:

Study topics (e.g., “Explain fractions in a fun way”)
Ideas for assignments (e.g., “Suggest essay structures”)
Practice quizzes or summaries

Always check your school’s or university’s rules about AI use. At Canterbury University, we created a guidance scale that helps users to better understand the risk of inputting certain data into an AI system. They classify data into four classifications:

Special	Information that has specific handling requirements, security controls or guidelines that must be followed to manage it. Example: Trusted research. GenAI tool use: Do not use.
Sensitive	Any information that unauthorised release might cause material harm to individuals or your institution. Example: IT system credentials, health information etc. GenAI tool use: Only use a tool with Data Protection (where you can opt out of data being trained on)
In-Confidence	Any information that needs to stay private for personal or organisational reasons and is not tagged as sensitive. Example: Internal operating procedures, emails and other internal correspondence, course materials, non-public procurements information. GenAI tool use: Only use a tool with Data Protection (where you can opt out of data being trained on)
Public	Information that is freely available. Your institute doesn’t mind if AIs know this information or share it with others. It is freely available anyway. Example: Institutional website information, public reports, faculty and staff directory, press releases. GenAI tool use: Any Gen-AI tool.

Tips for Safe LLM Use

Use Trusted and Verified Tools: If possible, choose AI tools that comply with educational privacy standards. Below is the following tools that UC has vetted to use rated on sensitivity
Use Anonymized Data: When asking LLMs for assistance with generating teaching materials or student feedback, ensure that any examples are anonymized. Replace names and other identifying information with placeholders, pseudonyms or generalized terms to maintain privacy.
Focus on General Content: LLMs are particularly useful for generating generic lesson ideas, quizzes, and explanations of concepts. Stick to non-sensitive queries like “Explain the concept of photosynthesis for a Year 8 class” rather than asking for advice on specific students.
Check for Institutional Policies: Before using any AI tool, review your institution’s guidelines on data privacy and AI use. Many schools and universities have specific policies that dictate how tools like LLMs should be used to protect both educator and student data.