Ferris State University is offering new digital learning tools this semester to assist students with learning in the classroom.
One such tool is Read&Write, a literacy support tool that helps students with everyday digital materials, such as e-books, articles, also websites.
This tool assists with reading out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, conducting research and proofreading written work, including catching grammatical errors, punctuation, clarity and consistency.
This tool can be found through Ferris360 and typing Read&Write in the search bar in addition to going directly to the Read&Write website.
Another tool offered is Net Tutor. This tool provides virtual one-on-one professional tutoring, with services across a wide variety of classes and programs.
Users are able to meet with live tutors twenty-four-seven and there is no limit to the number of sessions students can book.
This tool can be accessed through Canvas by selecting any course, then clicking “Net Tutor” from the panel on the left-hand side of the screen.
Dental Hygiene freshman Tristan Miller stated she finds it useful to implement learning tools into education, particularly for students who learn differently.
She expressed the vital impact of these specific tools being accessible to students with learning disabilities and the way in which they influence their approach to studying and retaining information.
“There are students who have learning disabilities such as ADHD, making it more challenging for them to focus so it’s a great idea,” Miller said. “This whole narrative that every student learns the exact same way feels like it has been around, and I think teachers in educational facilities are realizing that’s so untrue.”
She further stated that finding versatile learning styles to accommodate students with special needs is important, allowing students to unlock their full potential.
Sonography freshman Daliah Marabell stated that she utilizes these tools to prepare for exams and to improve positive studying habits in her classes.
“I used ChatGPT last year for my bio class. It helped me make a study guide,” Marabell said. “After I started doing that, my grades improved a lot and I passed a lot of my classes.”
She notes that with her classes mostly online, it helps her better understand the material. She expressed how essential it is to know what you are doing for your career.
“It just helps me better comprehend what’s going on,” Marabell said.
She expands on the fact that while AI helps, it doesn’t replace the professors. She explained how AI lacks the empathy and humanization to replace the teaching profession.
She briefly stated some examples of those predicaments such as turning in an assignment late or emergencies are something AI couldn’t account for.
Optometry senior Erin Bizak discussed how AI is integrating itself into the medical field and what the future of healthcare could look like going forward.
“I think optometry as a profession is pivoting because of the use of AI,” Bizak said. “There are studies done where there’s a condition called diabetic retinopathy, a disease in the back of the eye from diabetes. AI can detect it with like five times as much accuracy.”
She elaborated on how AI can detect this disease in very early stages, where you may not necessarily always see the signs and symptoms.
Even Ferris State University itself is embracing AI, as seen with their recent announcement of FanWord Assist, an AI-powered storytelling software designed for sports. This addition highlights the university’s recognition that AI can enhance learning and creativity.
As students and faculty continue to explore these tools, Ferris demonstrates a growing openness to technology shaping education’s future.