Post by Tom Daccord

[INTRO: A recent national report by the Watson Foundation found that teachers are using ChatGPT more than students and are using it to create new lesson ideas. To help out all of our teacher friends, we are offering a series of posts focused on practical ways that you can use ChatGPT to assist with own lesson design! Each post will focus on a practical strategy for using ChatGPT and will include ideas for both elementary and secondary school teachers. Here is the third part of our series:]

Why ChatGPT for Personalized Learning?

With ChatGPT, students can receive tailored support tailored to their learning styles. With its AI-powered platform, ChatGPT can provide an individualized learning path that ensures both engagement and comprehension for each student.

How to use ChatGPT for Personalized Learning

For primary grades, ChatGPT can help build basic skills in math, reading, and writing. Secondary school students can benefit from ChatGPT’s advanced support in history, science, and literature, among other subjects.

As well as providing subject-specific support, ChatGPT can help students develop essential skills like time management, organization, and study habits.

If a student needs help with a particular topic, you can ask ChatGPT for specific personalized learning content. Whether you or your students are constructing ChatGPT prompts, you should think about what context might be necessary to include — ex. student’s age, grade level, and course level — to ensure that the responses are appropriate for the level and abilities of your students.

ChatGPT Examples: Goal, Prompt, Activity

The following examples are outline goals, prompts,

Primary Grades

Multiplication: Imagine a primary school student who has difficulties understanding the concept of multiplication. ChatGPT can create an interactive lesson that teaches multiplication using real-world examples, such as grouping items in sets or counting equal groups of objects. The AI assistant can present the student with a series of questions involving these scenarios, such as “If there are 3 sets of 4 apples, how many apples are there in total?” As the student answers, ChatGPT provides instant feedback, reinforcing correct responses or offering guidance for incorrect ones. As a result of this personalized approach, the student gains a solid understanding of multiplication in a manner that fits their learning style.

Sentence Construction: For a primary school student struggling with sentence construction, ChatGPT can provide targeted support by focusing on grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. The AI assistant might generate a series of fun, interactive exercises where the student is asked to arrange scrambled words into a coherent sentence or identify and correct errors in a given sentence. The exercises provide the student with immediate feedback and reinforcement, which allows them to improve their writing skills and develop a better understanding of sentence structure.

Fractions: Suppose a student wants to improve their understanding of fractions. To prompt ChatGPT, the user can ask, “Can you help me learn how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators?” ChatGPT can then create a step-by-step guide, explaining the process of finding a common denominator, converting the fractions, and performing the operation. Additionally, the AI assistant can provide students with practice problems and provide instant feedback, if necessary.

Secondary Grades

Balancing Chemical Equations: ChatGPT can explain how to balance chemical equations, such as the law of conservation of mass, and demonstrate the process step by step. The program can also generate practice problems so that students can apply their knowledge and receive immediate feedback. Prompt: “Can you help me learn how to balance chemical equations and provide some practice problems?”

Analyzing Themes in a Novel: With ChatGPT you can quickly overview a novel’s plot, characters, and context before diving into its major themes, like racial injustice, moral growth, and empathy. A conversation with the AI assistant can also encourage the student to think critically about the themes and their significance within the story. Prompt: “Can you guide me through analyzing the themes in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?”

Solving Quadratic Equations: ChatGPT can present various methods for solving quadratic equations, such as factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula. it can provide step-by-step examples as well as practice problems that the student can solve, providing guidance and feedback throughout. Prompt: “Can you help me learn different methods to solve quadratic equations and provide some examples?”

Understanding the French Revolution: ChatGPT can provide an overview of the French Revolution’s leading events, causes, and consequences, highlighting how social, political, and economic factors contributed to the revolution. It can also facilitate discussions, encouraging the student to think critically about the Revolution’s lasting impact on France and the world. Prompt: “Can you explain the main causes and consequences of the French Revolution?”

Newton’s Laws of Motion: ChatGPT can explain each of Newton’s three laws of motion, using simple language and illustrations to make the concepts more accessible. It can also provide real-life examples, such as the effect of seat belts in a car crash or the forces involved in kicking a soccer ball, to help the student grasp the laws’ practical applications. Additionally, the AI assistant can offer practice questions to reinforce the concepts and provide feedback on the student’s understanding. Prompt: “Can you help me understand Newton’s Laws of Motion and provide some real-life examples?”

As for honing essential skills, ChatGPT can create customized study schedules, provide reminders for upcoming assignments, and suggest effective study techniques based on the student’s learning style.

Here are three examples:

Time Management: ChatGPT can provide tips and strategies for effective time management, such as setting priorities, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, and avoiding procrastination. Based on the user’s exam schedule and study goals, the AI assistant can create a personalized study plan, allocating time for each subject and incorporating breaks to prevent burnout. The AI can also offer reminders and progress tracking to keep the student on track. Prompt: “Can you help me improve my time management skills and create a study schedule for my upcoming exams?”

Note-Taking Techniques: ChatGPT can introduce various note-taking methods, such as the Cornell, outline, and mind-mapping techniques, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. The AI assistant can provide examples and tips on how to implement these techniques during lectures or while studying from textbooks, allowing the student to choose the method that works best for their learning style. Prompt: “Can you suggest some effective note-taking techniques to help me retain information better during lectures?”

Remember, ChatGPT may not always respond exactly as you expect. However, with a bit of creativity and effective prompts, ChatGPT can be a useful and engaging tool for creating personalized learning environments for your students.

–by Tom Daccord, with help from ChatGPT

Interested in learning more about ChatGPT and AI in Education? Our summer learning pass includes an amazing new course designed specifically for teachers interested in these emerging AI technologies! Learn more about the course and sign up for our summer learning pass today! (Group registration discounts available.)

Get Your Pass Today!

Post by Tom Daccord

[INTRO: A recent national report by the Watson Foundation found that teachers are using ChatGPT more than students and are using it to create new lesson ideas. To help out all of our teacher friends, we are offering a series of posts focused on practical ways that you can use ChatGPT to assist with own lesson design! (Check out our first tip here!) Each post will focus on a practical strategy for using ChatGPT and will include ideas for both elementary and secondary school teachers. Here is the second part of our series:]

Teacher Tip #2 Quizzes and Tests

Why quizzes and tests?

ChatGPT is particularly useful in building quizzes and tests for standardized content and it can also save teachers much time. And in-class quizzes and tests are especially useful now since ChatGPT can complete many take-home assignments being tasked to students.

How to use ChatGPT for Quizzes and Tests

First, it’s important to provide context in your prompt(s) so that ChatGPT can construct questions that are appropriate for the level and abilities of your students. So, think about whether any of the following information would be useful in constructing a prompt for ChatGPT:

What is the grade level of your students? What is the age of your students?

What is the name of the course being tested? Are students taking a standardized course, such as Algebra II or AP English Literature?

Is there any other information or context that would help ChatGPT prompt appropriate questions for your quiz or test?

Second, upload any specific content you would like to use as the basis of a quiz or test. For example, if you are testing their understanding of information in a handout, upload that handout to ChatGPT. Note that you can also upload a podcast, lecture, or YouTube video transcript to ChatGPT.

If you do upload content, keep in mind that if you are using the subscription-based ChatGPT-4 (GPT version 4.0) you can upload up to 25,000 words of content. But if you are using the free version of ChatGPT-3.5 (GPT version 3.5) you are limited to about 3000 words of content.

Additionally, if you are using ChatGPT-4 you can upload images and ChatGPT can provide you with detailed descriptions of the images. But if you are using the free version of ChatGPT (GPT version 3.5) you can only upload text.

ChatGPT is able to provide quiz and exam questions for a standardized course, such as Algebra II and AP American History, so you do not need to upload content for these courses.

Third, think about the types of questions ChatGPT can include in your quiz or exam:

• Multiple-choice questions
• Flashcard set
• True or false questions
• Fill-in-the-blank questions
• Short answer questions
• Matching questions
• Essay questions
• Problem-solving questions: These questions require students to apply knowledge and skills to solve a problem or answer a question.
• Diagram or picture-based questions: These questions require students to interpret and analyze a diagram or picture.
• Interactive questions: These questions require students to interact with digital media, such as videos or animations, to answer a question.
  • For example: Watch an animated story and choose the correct sequence of events from a list of options. (primary school students)
  • Watch a simulation of a chemical reaction and answer questions about the products and reactants involved. (secondary school students)

Generating Quiz or Test Questions

As mentioned above, ChatGPT is able to provide quiz and exam questions for a standardized course, such as Geometry I or AST Subject Tests. But, with less standardized content, you may have to undertake some careful “prompt engineering” to arrive at questions appropriate for your students.

Here are three examples of quiz or test questions ChatGPT can formulate for a standardized course, Geometry I:

Multiple-choice question:

In a right-angled triangle, which of the following trigonometric ratios represents the ratio of the length of the side opposite the right angle to the length of the hypotenuse?

A. Sine

B. Cosine

C. Tangent

True/false question:

True or False: All the angles in an equilateral triangle measure 60 degrees.

Open-ended question:

Given a rectangle with a length of 12 cm and a width of 5 cm, calculate the area and the perimeter of the rectangle.

Next, here is an attempt to engineer a prompt to produce a 3rd grade quiz on plant life :

“I am teaching a class of 3rd grade students who are studying plant life. They are learning the importance of soil in plant life and are required to know the following terms: Humus, Nutrients, Sand, Silt, Clay, Soil, and Topsoil. Formulate a quiz of 10 questions appropriate for 3rd grade students that include: multiple-choice questions, true or false questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, and short-answer questions. Also, include one problem-solving question.”

Note: If you are using ChatGPT-4 you might include a diagram-based question.

So, here is a sample of the questions ChatGPT provided:

True/false question:

Nutrients in the soil are essential for plants to grow and develop.

Fill-in-the-blank question:

The three main types of soil particles are ____, ____, and ____.

Short-answer question:

How does humus help plants grow?

Multiple-choice question:

Which soil particle has the smallest size?

A. Sand

B. Silt

C. Clay

Problem-solving: If a plant needs nutrients to grow, but the soil it’s planted in doesn’t have enough nutrients, what can you do to help the plant grow?

Does the language above seem appropriate for a 3rd-grade class? Herein lies the challenge; it can take some effort to generate appropriate questions for a specific reading level. It can be done, but it may take some time to ultimately craft an effective prompt.

Remember, ChatGPT may not always respond exactly as you expect. However, with a bit of creativity and effective prompts, ChatGPT can be a useful and engaging tool for creating quizzes and exams for your students.

–by Tom Daccord, with help from ChatGPT

Interested in learning more about ChatGPT and AI in Education? Our summer learning pass includes an amazing new course designed specifically for teachers interested in these emerging AI technologies! Learn more about the course and sign up for our summer learning pass today!

Originally posted on EdTechTeacher.org/Blog

A recent national report by the Watson Foundation found that teachers are using ChatGPT more than students and are using it to create new lesson ideas. To help out all of our teacher friends, we are offering a series of posts focused on practical ways that you can use ChatGPT to assist with your own lesson design! Each post will focus on a practical strategy for using ChatGPT and will include ideas for both elementary and secondary school teachers.

Keep in mind that prompt engineering (the question you ask) is important. If you want useful information from ChatGPT, you must frame your prompts carefully. Consider what relevant context ChatGPT might need, what exactly you want it to do, and provide it with instructions as to how to complete the task you introduce. To help, we’ll provide you with sample ChatGPT Prompts for each activity. Let’s begin!

Role-Playing Lessons with ChatGPT

Why Role-playing?

Role-playing activities can engage students in active learning and require them to think critically. Role-playing activities can also help students develop social and emotional skills, such as empathy, and develop a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives.

How to use ChatGPT for role-playing?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT can be used for role-playing in a variety of ways. Here are a few suggestions:

Ask ChatGPT to be a specific character: For example, you could say “ChatGPT, can you be Sherlock Holmes?” and then start a conversation with ChatGPT as if it were Sherlock Holmes.

Use prompts to guide the role-play: For example, you could say “Let’s pretend we’re two detectives solving a murder case” or “Let’s imagine we’re two adventurers exploring a dungeon.”

Stay in character: To make the role-play more engaging, it’s important to stay in character and respond as if you were the character you’re playing. This will help you and ChatGPT stay in character and create a more immersive role-playing experience.

Lesson Ideas By Subject Area

Here are some role-playing lesson ideas for students organized by curriculum subjects:

Historical Role-Playing: Social studies teachers can use ChatGPT to create historical role-playing activities for their students. For example, “Hello ChatGPT, I am Thomas Jefferson. I would like to discuss my role in drafting the Declaration of Independence.”

Literary Character Role-Playing: Students can be assigned a literary character to role-play as, and then have a conversation with ChatGPT in the persona of that character. For example, “Can you play the role of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice? I want to know more about your thoughts on love and marriage.”

Science experiment: Students can role-play as scientists who are conducting an experiment. They can assign roles such as the researcher, the lab technician, or the data analyst. The teacher can provide a list of materials and instructions for the experiment, and students can work together to design the experiment, collect data, and analyze the results. For example, students can role-play as scientists who are testing the density of different objects.

Math and Science concepts: ChatGPT can generate scenarios that involve math or science concepts, such as measuring ingredients for a recipe, conducting a science experiment, or solving a real-world math problem. These scenarios can be used as the basis for role-playing activities. For example, ChatGPT can ask the students to design and build a bridge using math and science concepts

Historical science figure role-play: Students can role-play as historical science figures, such as Galileo or Marie Curie. They can research and learn about the contributions of their assigned figure and present their findings to the class in the form of a role-play. This activity can help students develop research skills and learn about the history of science. For example, “Bonjour, ChatGPT. I am Marie Curie. Can we discuss my discoveries in radioactivity and how it has impacted science?

Foreign language scenario: ChatGPT can generate scenarios that involve real-life situations that students might encounter when communicating in a foreign language, such as ordering food at a restaurant, asking for directions, or making small talk with a new acquaintance. These scenarios can be used as the basis for role-playing activities. For example, ChatGPT can provide a scenario where the students need to buy tickets for public transportation in the target language. The students can assign roles such as the ticket seller, the commuter, or the tourist.

Prompt Suggestions

One effective way to phrase a role-playing prompt is to ask ChatGPT to “Act as a…” and provide it with relevant context and instructions For example, one could ask ChatGPT to “act as a travel agent” who gives advice to tourists. Another would be to ask ChatGPT to “act as an art gallery guide” who is trying to explain art history and artistic principles to the uninitiated. ChatGPT can also role-play as a “thing,” so you could ask ChatGPT to “act as a car navigation system”. So, try to think broadly about the different roles that ChatGPT might play for your students.

An excellent source of “Act as a…” prompts is GitHub. Included below are several suggestions modified from their “Awesome ChatGPT Prompts” guide.

Act as a Character from a Book:

I want you to act like {character} from {book}. I want you to respond and answer like {character} using the tone, manner and vocabulary {character} would use. Do not write any explanations. Only answer like {character}. You must know all of the knowledge of {character}. My first sentence is “Hi {character}, how do you feel about {topic]?”

Act as a Historical Travel guide from France:

I want you to act as a travel guide from France at the time of the French Revolution. I will write you my location and you will suggest a place to visit near my location. In some cases, I will also give you the type of places I will visit. I also want you to provide the names of important people from places you suggest. You will also suggest places of similar type that are close to my first location. My first suggestion request is: “I am in Paris and I want to visit the homes of important French politicians.

Act as an Artistic Advisor

I want you to act as an artist advisor providing advice on various art styles such as tips on utilizing light & shadow effects effectively in painting, shading techniques while sculpting etc., I am an intermediate artist, so I require explanations designed for intermediate painters and sculptures. Also, provide appropriate reference images demonstrating your recommendations. Your goal is to help aspiring artists explore new creative possibilities & practice ideas which will further help them sharpen their skills accordingly! First request – “I’m making surrealistic portrait paintings”

Act as a Scientific Investigator

I want you to act as a scientific investigator. You will apply your knowledge of scientific and environmental principles to propose useful strategies for cleaning up toxic oil spills in oceans. My first suggestion request is “I need help investigating the relative success of habitat restoration after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.”

Keep in mind that ChatGPT is an AI language model, so it may not always respond exactly as you expect. However, with a bit of creativity and effective prompts, ChatGPT can be a useful and engaging tool for role-playing with your students!

Interested in learning more about ChatGPT and AI in Education? Our summer learning pass includes an amazing new course designed specifically for teachers interested in these emerging AI technologies! Learn more about the course and sign up for our summer learning pass today! (Group registration discounts available.). EdTechTeacher.org/Summer