Teaching STEM

IBM Rolls Out Free AI Tool for Math Teachers

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 09/13/17

IBM is launching a free new tool powered by artificial intelligence specifically for teachers.

Teacher Advisor with Watson 1.0 uses artificial intelligence from Watson, IBM's Jeopardy!-playing robot, now trained by math experts with feedback from more than 1,000 math teachers, to help K-5 teachers with targeted math resources for their students.

Teacher Advisor has more than 1,000 math lessons, teaching strategies and videos available for targeted recommendations. Teacher advisor is designed to help teachers:

• Access quality resources to meet diverse classroom needs;
• Understand the standards and prerequisites for each lesson to better close gaps for students;
• Apply new teaching techniques; and
• Receive targeted recommendations for specific math concepts.

Teaching materials available through the online tool come from Achieve, AFT's Share My Lesson, CPALMS, EngageNY, Illustrative Mathematics, Student Achievement Partners and UnboundEd.

"Time is of the essence for teachers," said Sheena Lee, an elementary school teacher at Umana Academy in Boston, MA, in a prepared statement. "With a classroom full of third through fifth graders who have had inconsistent education in their lives, I need to help my students learn math in different ways, at different levels. Teacher Advisor With Watson offers a one-stop shop for the most trusted resources, enabling me to decide how best to meet my students where they are."

"Teachers shoulder endless challenges and responsibilities — mastering content, standards and curriculum, and meeting the diverse needs and abilities of each of their students," said AFT President Randi Weingarten in a news release. "Too often, teachers are expected to do all this single-handedly, but Teacher Advisor could help change that. The AFT worked hand-in-glove with the IBM Foundation to hone this tool and see how it empowers teachers and benefits students. This effective public-private partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when educators are entrusted with innovative technology to support powerful learning."

Visit teacheradvisor.education to learn more.