Japhet Stevens’s New Innovation for Spelling

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