Introducing WordMango:
an AI-Powered
Word-Learning Assistant
Rachel Barton
Speech and Language Therapist
22nd June 2024
Background
A lot has changed in my nearly 3 decades as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), but nothing has excited me more than the evolution of generative AI. Having had some initial scepticism and concerns that robots were about to replace me, I soon realised that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, when used collaboratively and safely, actually have the capacity to revolutionise our work. This initial excitement led me to explore AI's potential more deeply.
From Sceptic to Enthusiast
Ethan Mollick, author of 'Co-intelligence – Living and working with AI', suggests that within 10 hours of experimenting with generative AI you will start to really understand its capabilities and limitations. I was pretty much hooked after a couple of minutes, but 16 months on from my first dabble with ChatGPT, it has become an inseparable part of my home and work life.
As I've integrated AI into my daily routine, I've discovered its versatility across various aspects of my work. I use it for research, writing, idea development, planning training, wording goals, creating images, analysing feedback and problem-solving. It's like having a very knowledgeable and infinitely patient coworker that I can turn to at any time without the worry of interrupting their work.
AI's Potential for our Service Users
As AI assists me more, I find myself contemplating ways to use this technology for the benefit of our clients. I appreciate the capability of generative AIs to comprehend my queries even when I make spelling mistakes, leave out words, or use awkward grammar. These AIs are programmed to grasp our intentions – a promising development for individuals facing communication difficulties. Reflecting on AI's potential in therapy led me to a concrete idea: could I develop a tool to aid teenagers with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in expanding their vocabulary?
Enter WordMango
After many attempts, I have successfully developed a tool known as 'WordMango', available in OpenAI's GPT store. A GPT is a type of artificial intelligence that can understand and generate human-like text based on the information it has been trained on. 'WordMango' is accessible for free to all users with a ChatGPT account, and users with a paid ChatGPT account can utilise its image creation feature.
WordMango has been specifically designed with the needs of teenagers with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in mind. DLD often involves difficulties with vocabulary acquisition and usage, which can significantly impact academic performance and social interactions. WordMango addresses these challenges by:
Providing clear, simple definitions, avoiding complex grammatical structures.
Offering interactive games that reinforce word learning through engaging activities.
Allowing for multi-modal learning through text, speech, and image features.
Providing positive reinforcement and gentle corrections throughout the learning process.
In addition to providing simple definitions, WordMango gives pronunciation guides, example sentences, along with features such as antonyms, synonyms, morphological variations of words and etymology.
How WordMango works
The student enters a word and is then given the option to either learn more about it or play interactive games. At any time, the student can ask clarifying questions. The platform is accessible on any desktop, as well as on iPhones and iPads. For the latter two devices, a voice input option is available, allowing students to interact through speech.
Putting Safety First: Promoting Responsible AI Usage
When creating WordMango, I kept user safety in mind, ensuring that it steers clear of inappropriate or harmful content. Nevertheless, I advise providing supervision to assist users in maintaining a safe experience. It's essential to keep an eye on usage patterns and verify information. Since WordMango operates within ChatGPT, users have the freedom to ask questions and engage with the tool in various ways. While this flexibility is beneficial, it also necessitates oversight, similar to when students access the internet.
Data Privacy and WordMango
In today's digital age, data privacy is a critical concern. WordMango, operating within the ChatGPT platform, adheres to OpenAI's privacy policies. Here are some key points about data handling:
No personal information is required to use WordMango.
Conversations are not stored long-term or used to train the AI.
Users should be advised not to share personal or sensitive information.
For detailed information on data handling, users should refer to OpenAI's privacy policy.
As professionals, it's our responsibility to guide students in using AI tools safely and to advocate for strong privacy protections in educational technology.
Potential Limitations and Challenges
While AI tools like WordMango offer exciting possibilities, it's important to acknowledge potential limitations and challenges:
1. AI is not a replacement for human interaction and professional guidance. It should be used as a complementary tool in therapy and education.
2. The effectiveness of AI-based learning tools can vary between individuals. What works well for one student may not be as effective for another.
3. AI models can sometimes produce inaccurate or inconsistent information. Regular monitoring and fact-checking are necessary.
4. There may be a learning curve for both professionals and students in effectively using AI tools.
5. Access to technology and internet connectivity could be a barrier for some users.
Professional Feedback
To explore WordMango's potential, I have sought some feedback from fellow professionals. I asked Speech and Language Therapists to try out the tool, and the initial responses have been encouraging. Colleagues noted its potential for engaging teens in vocabulary learning and its user-friendly interface. My 15-year-old son has also used it successfully to help with his English homework and I've learnt some new words as I've tested it.
I'm eager to expand this collaborative effort and gather more diverse perspectives. If you're an educator, therapist, researcher, an adult with DLD, developer or simply someone interested in exploring how AI can support language learning, I invite you to try WordMango and tell me what you think. After you've explored its features, I'd love to hear from you. Share your experiences, insights, and suggestions. How did it work for you or your students? What improvements would you like to see?
Future Implications
As SLTs, we're uniquely positioned to model effective AI use with our students. We can demonstrate how AI tools like WordMango can enhance learning while also teaching critical thinking skills necessary for interacting with AI. Given that our clients will likely encounter AI in their future workplaces and daily lives, it's crucial to begin this education now. The first step in this process is becoming competent AI users ourselves, exploring generative AI tools to understand their benefits and limitations in therapeutic settings.
What's it got to do with Mangoes?
So you may be wondering why I called this 'WordMango'. Having started out with the name 'WordPal', I quickly discovered that any logical sounding name is already in use. I've always been a fan of the word 'mango', I love the flavour and it was an Australian locum SLT who first showed me the best way to slice a mango. So why not? If this emerges as a useful and effective clinical tool, perhaps there are more LanguageMangoes to develop: GrammarMango? StoryMango?
However, I would first love to hear your feedback on this specific Mango as we explore the potential of integrating generative AI into clinical practice together.
You are welcome to comment below or contact me directly at rachelbartonslt@gmail.com.
To try WordMango:
Go to www.chatgpt.com
Click on 'Explore GPTs'
Search for 'WordMango' (all one word)
Or just click on this link below:
Want to learn more about using AI in SLT?
Look out for further blogs in the coming weeks or book onto one of my AI workshops: https://chatterboxsussex.eventcube.io/events
or for more information visit:
Reference:
Mollick, E. (2024). Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Portfolio.
Acknowledgement: This blog was developed with AI assistance from Open AI’s ChatGPT4-o & Anthropic’s Claude AI, images were created by DALLE in ChatGPT.
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