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