Hawkes’ AI Tutor: A Promising Beginning  – News from the Nest

Written by G. Scott Virkler, CEO of Hawkes Learning

“The addition of AI Tutor in Hawkes Learning is an exciting step forward in building stronger supports for student learning!”

– Professor Hunter Chandler, Bluegrass Community and Technical College 

Like Professor Chandler, I am extremely excited about Hawkes’ new learning tool, AI Tutor, and I want to share more information on how well the launch has gone. 

On October 1, 2024, Hawkes Learning proudly launched the AI Tutor—a groundbreaking tool designed to provide students with personalized, on-demand support 24/7. While we are still in the early days, it has already shown tremendous potential in establishing how students and instructors can leverage AI tools in a learning environment. Based on market feedback, we have the leading AI tool in use in higher education today. Built on Hawkes’ proven pedagogy and trusted content, AI Tutor meets students where they are, delivering real time assistance in a safe and supportive learning environment. 

Key Objectives 

AI Tutor was created with these core goals in mind: 

1. Support Where it’s Needed—When it’s Needed – Today’s students benefit from help exactly when they need it. AI Tutor is always available to supplement instructors and provide timely assistance. 

2. A Safe, Secure Learning Space – By combining Hawkes’ trusted content with advanced AI technology, AI Tutor delivers precise, reliable guidance in a safe, secure learning environment. 

3. Promoting Critical Thinking – Rather than providing quick answers, AI Tutor encourages students to engage deeply with their work by offering thoughtful, relevant hints and guiding them on where to begin. 

4. A Judgement-Free Space to Learn – Students can freely ask questions and explore concepts without fear of judgment, fostering confidence and curiosity in a supportive environment. AI Tutor converses empathetically, providing support even when learning becomes frustrating for the student. 

5. Designed with the Instructor in Mind – Instructor feedback played a crucial role in shaping AI Tutor, ensuring alignment with classroom teaching methods to seamlessly extend instructor reach. 

How We are Achieving This 

• Hawkes Content: By integrating AI Tutor with our trusted, robust curriculum and legacy tutoring aids, students are given precise and actionable support. 

• Hawkes Pedagogy: AI-powered support is designed to align with the proven teaching methods instructors rely on, ensuring a seamless and consistent classroom fit. 

• Enhanced User Experience: We have prioritized simplicity and targeted prompts and focused responses to engage students and maximize learning outcomes. 

Early Results & Insights 

After nearly three months, we are thrilled with the results! While over 40% of our users have tried AI Tutor, daily usage stands at an impressive 15% of active users with steady engagement since launch. Feedback from both students and instructors has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting AI Tutor’s ability to provide timely, accurate, and empathetic support while maintaining a non-judgmental, secure learning environment.

“Hawkes’ new AI Tutor tool creates a safe space for me to ask questions I might hesitate to ask in a classroom setting for fear of being judged. It feels like I have a private tutor who allows me to explore the topics and learn at my own pace!”

– Lauren Zafonte, student at Nassau Community College 

At the same time, we have identified valuable opportunities for growth. For example, some students prefer a more subtle approach for when AI Tutor steps in after periods of inactivity, and we’re eager to fine-tune this experience. Additionally, while the tool is performing well across disciplines, we are actively exploring ways to enhance mathematical explanations by incorporating alternative models and refining how the AI processes data. 

The Road Ahead 

We are just getting started—we can’t wait to expand on AI Tutor with innovative features like multilingual support, speech-to-text functionality, and self-diagnostic tools. These enhancements will enable us to reach even more students and provide an even richer learning experience. 

The early success of AI Tutor reinforces our belief in the transformative power of AI in education. By offering personalized, on-demand support in a safe and encouraging environment, we’re empowering students to unlock their full potential. 

Together, we are not just adapting to the future of learning—we are actively shaping it. Thank you for joining us on this journey!