The hugely successful children's TV show Sesame Street and IBM have teamed up to make a new app for kids to learn vocabulary. It is the first vocabulary learning app using IBM's artificial intelligence (AI) software. The app finds a child's current reading and vocabulary levels, and then uses its AI to give the child new vocabulary to improve the child's skills. The app personalizes learning for children. As the child uses the app more, it makes sure he or she has learned and understood the new words before introducing additional vocabulary items.
IBM has completed a pilot program testing the app. It collected 18,000 multiple-choice tests given to kindergarteners. The researchers said the results were promising. They said the kids learned words like "amplify," "camouflage," and "applause," which are usually learned at a later age. The children could also use these words in context. Sesame Workshop said the next generation of learning tools and educational technology are a great new way, "for learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom, and we're excited to explore it further".