With OpenAI and Google's latest announcements about the various tools they're releasing, it's easy to get caught up in all the fancy elements without thinking about the practical applications. While I could share at least 20 different tools that you could use with your class, the most important aspect is how you use them.
I call these the three Cs of using AI in the classroom: creativity, Customisation, and Clarity. Here’s how you can leverage AI effectively using ChatGPT and Google Gemini within these three principles.
Creativity
AI can significantly enhance students' creativity by providing new ways to express and develop their ideas. For instance, tools like Ideogram can generate images based on textual descriptions, which can then be used to inspire students' creative writing or art projects. You could have students describe a scene, character, or concept and then use AI to generate a visual representation of their description. Conversely, you could present students with AI-generated images and ask them to write stories or descriptive passages that fit those images, encouraging imaginative thinking and storytelling skills.
Customisation
Every class is unique, with diverse interests and learning needs. AI tools like ChatGPT can help you tailor content to suit your students better. For example, you can take a piece of text and customise it to align with your class's interests or current study topics. If you're teaching a lesson on ecosystems, ChatGPT can help you generate stories, quizzes, or discussion questions that are specifically about the types of ecosystems your students are most interested in. This makes the material more engaging and helps address individual learning needs more effectively.
Clarity
Clarity in instruction is crucial for student understanding and retention. With the latest advancements in AI, tools like ChatGPT 4.0 offer enhanced capabilities such as translation and simplification of complex texts. This is particularly useful in diverse classrooms where students may have varying levels of language proficiency. For instance, if you have students who are English language learners, you can use ChatGPT to translate lesson materials into their native languages or simplify complex instructions to ensure everyone can follow along. Tools like Google Gemini can provide real-time feedback and explanations, helping clarify concepts during lessons.
Practical Examples
Creative Writing Prompt: Use Ideogram to generate an image based on a prompt like "a futuristic city at night". Have students write a short story inspired by the image, encouraging them to use descriptive language and imaginative storytelling.
Customised Reading Material: Use ChatGPT to adapt a scientific article about climate change to match the reading level and interests of your students. Include references to local ecosystems or recent weather events to make the topic more relevant and engaging.
Language Translation for Clarity: Use ChatGPT 4.0 to translate a set of instructions for a science experiment into multiple languages. This ensures that all students, regardless of their primary language, can understand and participate fully in the activity.
By focusing on the how and applying the three C's—Creativity, Customisation, and Clarity—you can effectively integrate AI into your teaching practice, enhancing learning experiences and outcomes for your students.
Feel free to explore these strategies and share your experiences with me.
Here are some more AI videos (Admittedly, I could do with creating more!)
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