Using AI tools can help us in many ways. There are tools that can make content more accessible by converting one format to another. There are tools that can aid our productivity by helping us to plan tasks or generate ideas. While not losing sight of our own learning and development, we can use AI tools to lower some of the barriers that we might encounter.
Specifically, AI tools can help by:
- Automating repetitive or time-consuming tasks: e.g. project planning
- Reducing cognitive load: e.g. listening to content to reduce visual load
- Reducing mobility load: e.g. using voice to text instead of typing
Specific tasks for which there are AI tools include:
- Improving writing: e.g. spelling, grammar and tone checking
- Reference checking
- Ideation
- Searching
Below is a list of topics and tools which we hope you will find useful:
Alternative formats
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Robobraille
A free website where users can upload files for conversion to alternative formats. e.g. PDF to MP3
Anthology Ally - which can be found in Canvas. This tool offers alternative formats for the content added to courses and modules
Citation and grammar checking
Turnitin Draft Coach - available via the Cranfield version of Word online/Word 365. Turnitin Draft Coach offers similarity score, citation and grammar checks. Further guidance on Draft Coach
Speech to text
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Otter.ai
Live transcription and notetaking software. The free, ‘Basic’ version ‘records, transcribes and summarizes in real time’. It can join Zoom and Teams meetings to write and share notes.
‘Dictate’ in MS Word and PowerPoint – you will need a microphone on your device. Click on ‘Dictate’, start speaking and the text will appear.
Searching for content
In-resource AI features. Many library resources have integrated AI search assistants. For examples:
Copilot - is described by Microsoft as an AI-powered assistant. To use the Cranfield version of Copilot:
- Go to Bing.
- Choose the Copilot’ heading
- Choose ‘Work’
- Log in with your Cranfield credentials.
If you use Copilot for searching, we recommend that you prompt for a DOI or link to any resources mentioned.
Searching for connections/snowballing/visulisation
There are a number of tools that offer visualisations of connections between research papers.
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Connected Papers
Find and explore academic papers. Users can search for 5 ‘graphs’ per month for free
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Litmaps
Litmaps helps you discover, visualize, share and monitor relevant academic papers faster and easier. Users can create 2 Litmaps per month for free.
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ResearchRabbit
Use ResearchRabbit to find related papers, build citation maps, and track research trends.
Text to speech
'Read Aloud' in Word - you will need to have speakers on your device.
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Dictation.io
Online speech recognition, an extension that you can add to Chrome that will convert speech to text.
Talking cameras
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Seeing AI
Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed with and for the blind and low vision community. Seeing AI assists with daily tasks from reading, to describing photos, to identifying products, and more.
Image or photo searches
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Google Lens
Google Lens allows you to use your phone's camera or an image as a search prompt. Translation and other functions available.
