SpiderAsks is an online platform that hosts a wide range of writing courses for English language learners. At the heart of the platform is an AI-powered tool designed to help users learn how to write various types of prose accurately. The platform is highly interactive, offering immediate feedback, which makes the learning process more engaging and effective.
In Spring 2024 the Teaching and Learning Lab developed a custom AI tutor and deployed it
during one module of the How People Learn course. In Fall 2024 we will analyze the data
from the pilot study and develop a project plan for a stage 2 exploration of AI tutors. We will
explore emerging chatbot technology in use at other Harvard Schools, research existing
3rd-party tools, and further refine the unique requirements of an AI tutor in the context of
the How People Learn course. Students can participate in aspects such as technical
implementation, design, testing, theoretical research, and documentation, among others.