CONTACT IDEA

“AI in school is just for cheating.” That’s usually where the conversation starts. And if we’re only talking about assignments, it’s an understandable concern. But most of the everyday frustration in schools isn’t academic. It’s logistical. It’s 8:12 PM. You just want to sign up for a sport. Simple, right? So you open your school website. Click “Students.” Then “Activities.” Then “Athletics.” Then something called “Resources.” Now you’re in a PDF from 2018. That’s not it. You go back. Try “Clubs.” Wrong. Try “Forms.” Almost. Try “Calendar.” Definitely not. It’s too late at night to call, so you send an email and wait for an answer that probably exists somewhere on the website already. It’s a small problem. But it happens constantly. Somehow, everyone’s just accepted it. Multiplied across students, parents, and staff, it becomes a big part of the everyday friction of school life. This is where AI starts to make practical sense. AI based chat support systems are designed to remove that friction by making school information more accessible and easier to navigate. Tochan AI , for example, connects directly to a school’s website and knowledge base—so instead of digging through pages, you just ask: “How do I register for soccer?” “When does enrollment start?” “Where’s the form?” And it gives you the answer instantly—with links, contact information, and responses pulled directly from the school’s current information.

Vendor halls at conferences are seeing a shift. In this blog, Dr. Mike McGowan, aka Dr. DSNY, shares his personal opinions and insights regarding this change.

Accessibility means more than addressing visible disabilities. While awareness of audiological needs isn't new, true inclusion requires active, equitable solutions.