The Socratic Shift: Scaling Math Equity and Retention with Interactive AI

Math anxiety and equity gaps widen when students lack on-demand support or face linguistic and mechanical barriers. This poster presentation shows how to pivot generative AI from an answer machine into a personalized logic coach. Discover how tools like Photomath and Gemini's Socratic Guided Learning feature can scale scaffolding within a student's Zone of Proximal Development, offering immediate diagnostic feedback without giving away solutions and preventing misconceptions from taking hold. Explore strategies to reduce cognitive load for neurodiverse learners, translate complex word problems for English language learners, support visually impaired students and boost engagement with culturally relevant, AI-generated narratives. Grounded in research on retrieval practice and desirable difficulties, the presentation also shows how educators can shift from automated grading to strategic data interpretation. You will leave with a four-week rollout blueprint, an equity audit checklist and practical classroom AI policies for ethical, impactful implementation.