Neurodiversity-Aware Platform for Education (NAPE) aims to enhance comprehension and retention by tailoring educational materials to diverse cognitive styles, making learning more accessible to all.
Challenge: Educational materials often assume uniform cognitive approaches, creating barriers for neurodiverse learners. Attention difficulties, slower processing speeds, or sequencing challenges are prevalent among learners with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism.
Our Solution: Customizable educational materials designed to improve comprehension and retention across diverse learners.
We developed a unique segmentation algorithm which inserts a 4-second pause in the video whenever a step occurs in pre-recorded instructional material for block-based programming (e.g., clicking on a block, dragging an item, or explaining a concept within Scratch).
These pauses allow learners to process each step, reducing cognitive load and enhancing task performance.
In summer 2024, we conducted a study which examined ADHD learners’ interaction with segmented vs. traditional instructional videos.
Performance metrics included errors, hesitations, and task completion time.
Key Findings: Segmented learning improves comprehension and reduces cognitive overload among ADHD participants.
NAPE uses AI to adapt educational content based on user behavior and learning preferences.
AI Capabilities: This AI algorithm analyzes engagement patterns to offer adaptive feedback tailored to each learner’s strengths and needs.
We are recruiting undergraduates at CMU to join this project in Spring 2025 (units available).
How to Apply: Email vpim [at] cmu [dot] edu with interest & questions. You do not need any research experience to join!