David talks with Japhet Stevens, a software developer and father, who created an AI-powered app called Scholarship to help his minimally speaking son, Indigo, with learning and communication through personalized spelling lessons. Japhet discusses the inspiration behind the app, their journey through various spelling methodologies, and how Indigo’s interests and feedback shaped this innovative tool. The episode also touches on the broader implications and potential of AI in education, the importance of giving children agency in their learning, and the ongoing debate around the efficacy of spelling methodologies. The podcast concludes with tips for parents and a glimpse into the future evolution of the Scholarship app.
Topics
00:46 Meet Today's Guest: Japhet Stevens
02:13 Japhet's Journey to Creating Scholarship
03:52 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Spelling Lessons
07:00 Homeschooling and Alternative Education
11:15 Developing the Scholarship App
23:27 Live Demo of the Scholarship App
33:41 Creating Custom Lessons with AI
34:18 Engaging Students with Personalized Content
37:35 Subscription Model and App Features
39:25 Future Vision and Development Plans
41:50 Community Support and Feedback
45:46 Weekly Segment: Tip of the Week
49:53 Debunking Myths: Does Spelling Work?
56:03 Parent Confessions: Vulnerability and Hope
01:03:37 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
