ADAPTATECH

Several studies agree that the probability of suffering from a neurodevelopmental disorder is approximately 11.5% [1]. This corresponds to more than 76 million people suffering from a disorder in Latin America alone, and less than 50% receive special education (not counting the high number of people who still do not have a diagnosis). Discrimination is present in all areas of daily life, generating a significant education gap. Examples of discrimination are evident in the lack of access to inclusive education based on economic status, where those with fewer resources face greater challenges in obtaining an adequate education.

In the case of Latin America, this gap is more evident in access to inclusive education according to their purchasing power. Reality shows that those with limited resources have less access to specialized educational resources and educational environments adapted to their needs. This creates an inequality that perpetuates exclusion and limits opportunities for personal and professional development for people with neurodevelopmental disorders.

In addition to discrimination, challenges in career entry are a major concern for these individuals. They often face additional barriers to entering the labor market due to a lack of tools during their education. This can result in a higher unemployment rate among this population, further contributing to their social and economic marginalization.

Furthermore, the role of technology in education is experiencing exponential growth in Latin America, offering unprecedented opportunities to education as we know it. However, in the current framework, new virtual methods and tools are being discussed in classrooms, the main focus is on the same population.

To address these challenges, it is essential to ensure that specific resources and adequate continuing training are in place for education professionals. Educators need effective tools and strategies to adapt their teaching methods to support the individual needs of students with these diversities. Likewise, the solution must be comprehensive that includes students, teachers and administrators, and in general the entire educational system.

[1] M. Carballal Mariño et al., “Prevalencia de Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo, Comportamiento y aprendizaje en atención primaria,” Anales de Pediatría, vol. 89, no. 3, pp. 153–161, Sep. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2017.10.007 

Demo prototype

Our solution is a complementary study platform that aims to help university students get personalized help for their different needs and help teachers improve their work in serving these students. One of its objectives is to support schools that do not have the financial resources for the individual needs of each student.

The role of technology in education is experiencing exponential growth in Latin America, offering unprecedented opportunities to improve the inclusion and educational quality of people with neurodevelopmental disorders. From learning platforms, technology is transforming the way we teach and learn. It is estimated that 80% of Latin American institutions already have at least one virtual platform for student evaluation.

ADAPTATECH is an additional application that adapts to these platforms. Their job is to adapt the content, evaluations and readings presented to the specific needs of each student, without having to go to special education teachers or separate students from the rest of the group. Our solution for now focuses on patients with ADHD and autism; however, the scalability and model consider all cognitive diversities.

The main features are:

* Adaptability through an artificial intelligence model of natural language interpretation (similar to the technology used by other artificial language interpreters such as CHATGPT) adapts the exam questions (without changing the content) to fill the gap that students have to interpret complex or ambiguous questions. structure. In this way the same content can be evaluated, eliminating barriers.

* Adaptation of resources, readings and exercises through an interactive platform. Using AI and their own virtual tools, students will have at their disposal tools for reinterpretation, changing structures (colors, contrast, typography, focus points), and automatic reading according to individual needs and progress.

*Practical feedback for students and teachers. The student will have the possibility to observe the corrections and their progress within each area of the class. Likewise, it will have indicators of the usefulness of the resources used with respect to its performance. The teacher will receive baseline statistics about each individual student, the group, and learning patterns and preferences. Likewise, she will receive education and certain recommendations for each case (adjust the evaluation time based on the processing time or adaptation of the teaching method). This will promote a positive and encouraging learning environment for both parties.

*Assists teachers with planning and teaching from the student's perspective. It encourages active communication between both parties and educates the population about the needs of this population.

In this way, we optimize resources, personnel, and time in adapting education for people with different abilities. This is a two-way educational platform that will significantly reduce educational gaps without the need to exclude students or create limited courses for a certain part of the population. It is a practical and accessible solution for all universities.

ADAPTATECH's solution is designed to serve two main groups: university students with cognitive diversities, such as ADHD and autism, and teachers seeking to improve their ability to address the individual needs of each student in the classroom.

For students, this solution represents an unprecedented opportunity to access quality education tailored to their specific needs. ADAPTATECH provides them with personalized tools and resources that allow them to understand and fully participate in academic activities, overcoming the barriers they may face due to their cognitive diversities. This not only gives them the opportunity to reach their full academic potential, but also empowers them by offering an inclusive and encouraging educational experience.

By improving the quality and accessibility of education for cognitively diverse students, ADAPTATECH can help reduce dropout rates and increase student retention. This results in more students completing their university studies, which in turn can increase the future earnings of graduates and contribute to the long-term economic development of the region.

On the other hand, for teachers, ADAPTATECH offers a powerful tool to improve their teaching practice and provide more effective support to their students. The platform provides them with detailed information about the individual needs of each student, as well as specific suggestions and recommendations to adapt their teaching based on these needs. This allows them to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment, where all students feel valued and supported in their learning process.

ADAPTATECH offers students the opportunity to access quality education tailored to their individual needs, which can result in significant time and money savings by reducing reliance on additional resources such as private tutors or specialized support classes. This adaptability in education can enhance students' academic performance and increase their prospects for future success, including the possibility of earning higher incomes and a better quality of life.

Beyond the economic benefits for students, the implementation of ADAPTATECH will have a momentous impact on the education system as a whole. By removing barriers to learning and encouraging inclusion in the classroom, this solution will help close educational gaps and create a more positive and enriching learning environment for both students and teachers. This comprehensive approach will not only improve the equality of education, but will also open new job opportunities for students, this challenging the historic cycle of segregation that this population has faced.

Our team is exceptionally well-positioned to deliver this solution due to our diversity of backgrounds and skills. With five members hailing from four different ethnicities and backgrounds in economics, computer science, marketing, and biomedical engineering, we bring a multifaceted perspective to our projects. This diversity has been instrumental in identifying key areas for improvement in education and shaping our innovative ideas.

As the team leader, I have witnessed firsthand how our different experiences and cultural perspectives have enriched our approach to addressing educational challenges. We have emerged from middle-class economic systems in our respective countries and share a common interest in learning from other cultures and opening ourselves to alternative perspectives.

Our team comprises individuals with diverse skill sets, each contributing unique expertise to the project:

• Johannes Fagerberg, our Software/IT Development expert from Sweden, brings his programming expertise to develop the technical aspects of our prototype.

• Paula Valentina Plaza Alegría, serving as our Project and Planning Manager, provides strategic direction and organizational oversight with her background in Economics and International Relations from Spain and Colombia.

• Alisa Perez Pakhomova, our Prototype Designer from Spain, utilizes her creative flair and artistic skills to craft visually appealing and user-friendly designs.

• Juan César Chavarri Cerna, handling Marketing and Branding from Chile, leverages his expertise in Business and Management to effectively promote our project.

• Angie Sofía Estupiñan Pepinosa, our Artificial Intelligence Developer and Project Organizer from Colombia, implements AI solutions and ensures project coordination with her background in Biomedical Engineering.

Together, our team collaborates seamlessly to develop innovative solutions and drive positive change in the field of education. We are committed to leveraging our diverse backgrounds and skills to create a solution that is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and meaningfully guided by the input, ideas, and agendas of the communities we serve.

Our journey with our project, Adaptatech, has been nothing short of remarkable. After presenting our project at the DigiEduHack 2023 through the TEC University of Monterrey, we embarked on an exhilarating adventure that took us through regional, state, and national phases. Our dedication and innovative approach propelled us to success, culminating in our victory as the best project at the world championship.

With our participation in DigiEduHack, we joined forces with like-minded individuals from 22 countries, participating in 39 local grassroots hackathons. The collaborative spirit, creativity, and community-driven innovation that permeated the event served as a catalyst for our own project's development. Among 1685 participants, we stood out, co-creating Adaptatech alongside 224 other solutions, showcasing our commitment to shaping the future of digital education.

Our triumph at the global stage of DigiEduHack affirmed not only our ingenuity in addressing pressing challenges but also our potential to revolutionize digital education. As the Global Winners of DigiEduHack 2023, we are honored and humbled by the recognition of our efforts.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that Adaptatec will be entering the EUROPE DIGITAL EDUCATION HUB, an accelerator program that will enable us to deepen our project's development. This opportunity will provide us with resources, mentorship, and support to refine our solution further and bring it to fruition on a larger scale.

We are applying to Solve with the aspiration of turning our vision into reality, making our educational tool accessible to universities, libraries, companies, and other institutions to support individuals with diverse cognitive needs.

Our primary objective in seeking support from Solve is to gain the necessary resources and connections to bring our project to fruition. Specifically, we aim to receive training for our team members or to connect with individuals and organizations who share an interest in our project's mission. Our focus is not on financial gain but rather on creating a platform that directly benefits students.

Our initiative targets educators and students with special needs such as ADHD, dyslexia, and more, aiming to address the challenges they face in personalized learning environments. We envision our tool as a universal resource, empowering teachers worldwide to provide individualized guidance to every student, regardless of their cognitive abilities or geographical location. By fostering inclusivity and support, we aim to create an equitable learning environment for all.

Our platform prioritizes accessibility through universal design principles, incorporating features like text-to-speech capabilities, adjustable fonts, and color contrasts. These features ensure usability for students with a wide range of cognitive abilities, promoting inclusivity in education.

From the perspective of educators, our platform offers data-driven insights into student learning progress, facilitating targeted interventions to enhance the overall learning experience. Our goal is not to replace teachers but to augment their skills, enabling them to provide personalized guidance tailored to each student's specific needs.

In summary, our objective in applying to Solve is to receive support in realizing our vision of an inclusive educational platform that empowers both educators and students. Through collaboration and resources provided by Solve, we aim to overcome technical, training, and connectivity barriers to bring our project to life and make a meaningful impact in the field of education.

Our solution is innovative due to its integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as TecGPT and disability learning software, into a cohesive platform designed to address the unique needs of students. TecGPT, powered by advanced natural language processing and machine learning, enables an adaptive and interactive learning experience. This integration facilitates personalized guidance through dynamic subject-specific practice and virtual teaching, enhancing the overall educational journey.

The inclusion of disability learning software represents a forward-thinking approach to inclusivity. By accommodating diverse learning needs, including those associated with disabilities, our platform stands at the forefront of tech innovation. The incorporation of features like customizable font sizes, text-to-speech capabilities, and other accessibility options ensures that the tool is not only advanced but also accessible to a broad spectrum of students, regardless of their learning profiles.

An example of this is our idea of augmenting the Large Language Model (ChatGPT) by giving it rules to not allow students to cheat but instead provide guidance as an example of this.

Combining this with AI providing result analysis, adaptive difficulty and finally the platform being disability friendly is something that does not exist yet.

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The impact of our educational solution is multifaceted and can be measured through various key performance indicators and some qualitative assessments. One crucial dimension is its effect on student performance, where improvements can be tracked through standardized test scores, grades, and subject-specific assessments. By monitoring indicators such as an increase in average grades, reduced achievement gaps, and improved scores in subjects targeted by the tool, we can gauge the direct impact on the academic success of students.

Another significant impact area lies in the enhancement of teacher efficiency. The solution aims to provide teachers with tools that streamline administrative tasks, allowing them to dedicate more time to personalized instruction and support. The measurement here involves assessing the time teachers spend on individualized guidance before and after the implementation of the tool. Indicators include a decrease in administrative workload, an increase in time spent on personalized teaching, and heightened job satisfaction among educators.

Furthermore, the impact extends to increased accessibility, measured by the growing user base in diverse geographical regions and a reduction in educational access.

The goal of ADAPTATECH is to even out the playing field between students, no matter their circumstances. Our key impact goals are:

Accessibility: We want to track our adoption and accessibility features like text-to-speech and visual customization settings to ensure that everyone using the platform will have a positive learning environment that helps them with their studying.

Improved Learning Outcomes: Continuing with the previous impact goal, improvement in academic performance is a goal that perhaps can’t be guaranteed but is something we hope that the platform will give students. Measuring performance metrics, including test scores and grades over time will help us see the effect of our platform.

Teacher Efficiency and Support: The platform also aims to facilitate the workload for teachers. Through interviews and measuring how much the features of the platform are utilized, new features and adjustments can be made.

The core technology that powers ADAPTATECH is large language models similar to ChatGPT in order to understand and respond to student text and voice inputs. This enables ADAPTATECH to adapt its features, UI and content based on individual needs, improving accessibility for any user. The platform can comprehend the student through text and/or voice, interpreting their needs and responding in their preferred way of communication.

This can be used in order to answer questions in an educative way that ensures that the student is learning. It can also be used to make sure that the platform can handle any specific audiovisual need the student has, such as dyslexia.

We are a team made up of 5 people from different parts of the world, we are all young university students from different areas. We generally work together and actively participate in all parts of the project and the decisions we make about it. We are all the designers and producers of ADAPTATECH. We consider ourselves part-time workers since we all simultaneously continue with our university degree and personal projects (which in some way can complement the project, enriched by the multidisciplinarity of the team).

ADAPTATECH emerged in 2023 in Mexico as a response to the persistent lack of definitive solutions in inclusive education. Recognizing the urgency of the problem and the scale of the challenge, the project was conceived to offer a practical, accessible and easily replicable solution. Through intense face-to-face collaboration, each team member was fully dedicated during the critical phases of the project, laying the foundational elements. As we move towards 2024, our focus remains on refining the prototype, guided by observations, emerging challenges and specific needs, to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.Thanks to this process we already have a solid effective project.

One of our team's distinctive strengths lies in the wide diversity of knowledge areas represented among its members, a characteristic that has been fundamental to the success of our initiative in all its dimensions. Our main flag and central objective is to promote equity and inclusion in higher education, with a particular focus on people with diverse cognitive abilities. However, this commitment is reflected from the outset in the very composition of our team, comprised of five students from countries such as Colombia, Chile, Spain, and Switzerland. We coincided in our academic formation at a Mexican university, where we identified a concerning lack of effective supports for those with different abilities, a problem that we soon recognized as global. From our Latin American and European experiences, we understood that the issue of educational inclusion transcends borders and is influenced by various factors such as socio-economic conditions, access to education, and cultural perceptions of cognitive disorders.

The diversity of personal experiences and life perspectives of each member motivated us to address inclusion from a broad and enriching perspective. Recognizing that differences enrich us as a society, we set out to eliminate barriers that segregate certain groups and limit their opportunities in the educational field. We all worked hard to achieve this goal, creating spaces for discussion and dialogue both internally and with our target community, to understand and address their specific needs. With this inclusive approach, we gradually progressed in the development of our solution, always attentive to the ideas, doubts, and opinions of all those involved, who ultimately guided the realization of this project designed by and for them.

In terms of leadership, we adopted an adaptive and collaborative approach, assigning leadership roles according to the skills and relevance of each member to the topics discussed. In this way, we ensured that all members were informed about each aspect of the project and ensured that everyone's voice was heard in every decision made. Our interaction has always been characterized by mutual respect and camaraderie, recognizing and valuing the marked cultural, contextual, and identity differences of each person as an advantage to face this collective challenge. We maintained a constant attitude of learning and mutual support, recognizing the fundamental importance of each member and their contribution to the team.

In order for our "Adaptatech" project to become financially sustainable, it is crucial to implement a strategic plan that focuses on revenue generation, efficient cost management and continuous improvement of the value proposition. The plan is the next:

-Diversify income sources: Offer subscription plans with differentiated functions and rates. And also explore new market opportunities and customer segments, for example: corporate companies seeking to promote inclusion.

-Offer discounts as an incentive to commit long-term to customers, increasing retention and loyalty.

-Implement targeted marketing strategies to increase awareness of inclusion and encourage adoption of "Adaptatech" in new educational institutions and individual users.

-Allocate resources to continuous research and development (R&D) to improve the characteristics and functionalities of "Adaptatech", and in this way maintain competitiveness and position in the market.

At this moment our project is in the "concept" stage, so we do not have funds yet. However, the way we plan to bring in money to finance the work is through a mix between raising investment capital and contracts with governments such as Ministries of Education.

At the moment we are thinking about finding funds to develop a prototype and then we could be able to sell our idea to different educational institutions, such as Primary, Secondary, and Higher education levels

If you are interested to make our project a reality, you can find us in the next QR code, and together we will create an “Education that fits you”.