AI and Personalization: The School That Adapts to You

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming schools from "one-size-fits-all" environments to environments that adapt to the pace, interests, and needs of each student. For a blog like ForAllWe , which focuses on digital and disability, the challenge is twofold: harnessing the power of AI to personalize learning without leaving behind students with special needs, and creating a school that adapts to you.

In this article, we explore how adaptive learning platforms work, what evidence exists regarding their effectiveness, what inclusion tools are already available, and what precautions are needed for responsible adoption.

What is adaptive learning? How does school adapt to you?

Adaptive learning is a set of technologies and methodologies that, through data analysis (progress, responses, work time, recurring errors), adjusts the content, difficulty level, and activities offered to a student in real time. The platforms use machine learning algorithms to build personalized learning paths: the more the student interacts, the more the system "learns" to suggest targeted exercises and useful resources.

For policymakers and schools, AI is not just an educational tool but also a public policy issue: UNESCO and international organizations offer guidelines to govern the use of AI in education and maximize benefits and protection of students' rights.

Concrete platforms and tools (examples)

• DreamBox Learning — An adaptive math platform that modulates learning paths and provides real-time feedback; long-term use studies show measurable performance improvements. Discovery Education

• Knewton / Alta — adaptive courseware that delivers exercises and content that are always contextualized to the student's needs. wiley.com

• Microsoft Immersive Reader —an example of AI technology at the service of accessibility: text-to-speech, line spacing adjustment, highlighting, and support for those with learning disabilities or reading difficulties. Tools like this make digital content more accessible to everyone. Microsoft Learn

Does it really work? — The evidence

Recent literature and meta-analyses indicate that intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive platforms can improve learning, engagement, and sometimes measurable outcomes (e.g., mathematics), especially when integrated with in-person teaching and teacher support. Some studies and systematic reviews show positive effects of instructional adaptation on performance. PMC

Practical note: effectiveness depends a lot

• how technology is integrated into the teaching project

• from the quality of the contents

• from teacher training.

Digital Inclusion: Why AI Can (and Should) Help Students with Disabilities

AI offers levers for inclusion: personalization of text and delivery modality (audio, video, simplified text), temporal adaptations, and alternative pathways for demonstrating skills. For example, assistive reading and text-to-speech tools help students with learning disabilities or linguistic minorities; adaptive pathways can identify and reinforce specific skills for students with special educational needs. International organizations emphasize that AI can contribute to achieving equity and inclusion goals, provided clear policies are adopted. UNESCO

Risks, Biases, and Responsibilities

Personalization isn't neutral. Algorithms can replicate inequalities if trained on unrepresentative data or if they aren't transparent. Studies on fairness and adaptive learning highlight the importance of auditing, transparency, and fairness testing (for example, analyzing how recommendations and pathways vary by ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status). Institutions recommend governance, data protection, and teacher training policies to reduce risks. Discovery Education

How to Integrate AI into Schools — Practical Guidelines

1. Design with clear educational objectives — AI should serve pedagogical objectives, not replace teaching.

2. Engaging teachers and families — training and transparent communication are essential.

3. Choose platforms that focus on accessibility — DSA features, multilingual support, and visual/auditory customizations (e.g., Immersive Reader). Microsoft Learn

4. Assess fairness and bias — Ask the provider how they test for fairness and transparency.

5. Protect privacy — clear rules on data collection, storage, and use.

6. Monitor and measure — indicators of effectiveness and inclusive impact.

Good use cases (short)

• Schools that integrate DreamBox into classroom instruction see more motivated students and improved math progress when use is regular and guided. Discovery Education

• In inclusive settings, the adoption of assistive reading tools has increased the independence of students with learning disabilities and their participation in curricular activities. Microsoft Learn

Useful resources and readings

• UNESCO - AI and education: guidance for policy-makers (guidance and recommendations). Teacher Task Force PDF

• OECD - Analysis and Perspectives on AI and Personalized Education. OECD PDF

• Microsoft - Immersive Reader (accessibility tool) documentation. Microsoft Learn

• Studies and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of ITS and adaptive systems. PMC

• Research on equity and fairness in adaptive platforms (DreamBox / Discovery Education case study). Discovery Education

Conclusion

AI isn't a magic wand but a powerful toolbox: used with pedagogical criteria, transparency, and a focus on equity, it can transform schools into places where every student is recognized and supported on their journey. For ForAllWe—where digital and disability are at the center—the challenge is to build ecosystems that combine innovation, accessibility, and rights.

Are you a teacher, school administrator, or parent interested in introducing adaptive technology into your school in an inclusive way?

Contact us at forallwe.com for practical advice: we can help you evaluate platforms, organize an inclusive pilot, and train your staff. Also, sign up for our newsletter to receive case studies, guidelines, and updates on accessible digital tools.