Lila Lightbringer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionizing the field of education. With the rise in popularity of mainstream tools like ChatGPT and beta tools like Google’s Bard, as well as other educational resources developing their own versions of this software, AI has become a key consideration for many educators.
Despite the commonly discussed challenges associated with AI, there are noticeable advantages. For instance, it can assist teachers in designing instruction and assessments that cater to the unique needs of all their students. Traditionally, implementing strategies such as differentiation or personalized learning required significant upfront effort from the teacher. However, with the use of AI, teachers can easily discover new ideas and inspiration to effectively reach their students.
AI-generated responses can serve as a starting point for teachers, but it is essential to build upon these ideas and adapt them. By utilizing the following five strategies, teachers can leverage AI to inspire new approaches that support the diverse learning needs of their students.
Differentiation involves adjusting the information students need to learn, the instructional process, or the final project to match their individual interests and readiness. A common hurdle in differentiation for teachers is the task of creating various resources, such as choice boards or tiered activities.
Teachers can use AI as a source of inspiration. They can input a prompt like, “What are three different methods to teach the main idea of a text?” For instance, ChatGPT might suggest broad approaches like using graphic organizers, visual representations, guided reading, close reading, and provide descriptions of these strategies. These suggestions, supported by research, serve as a starting point for educators to generate lessons and activities for their students.
It is important to note that AI tools like ChatGPT may draw from existing online lessons by teachers. To avoid this, it is advisable to use a more general prompt, like the one mentioned earlier, to obtain broader pedagogical suggestions rather than specific lesson plans or online activities.
Within the framework of Universal Design for Learning, presenting content in various ways is essential for students. In a classroom, this strategy might involve providing students with opportunities to explore different mediums on the same topic, thereby enhancing their comprehension. For example, teachers can provide videos, infographics, or notes on a particular subject.
Curating diverse resources on the content they wish to teach can be challenging and time-consuming for teachers. However, AI can streamline this process. Teachers can input a prompt like, “Can you provide me with multiple resources to introduce chemical reactions? This should include videos, websites, simulations, games, or infographics.”
A list of resources, websites, and links related to the requested topic will be generated. However, it is crucial for teachers to review these resources before sharing them with students, just as they would with any other link. AI can expedite the search for suitable and appropriate resources compared to a conventional search engine query.
Alternative and authentic assessments can cater to diverse learning needs by deviating from traditional test strategies and encouraging students to apply their knowledge directly. Instead of a standardized quiz, students may engage in projects that connect the topic to real-life situations and concepts.
When planning alternative assessments, AI can help teachers establish connections between a skill or topic and its real-life applications. These suggestions can then inspire ideas for alternative assessments. For example, a prompt like “What are real-life applications of ratios?” may generate suggestions linking the math concept to baking, maps, sports statistics and performance, photography, scale models, and financial planning.
By drawing on this list for inspiration, teachers can create project-based assessments that are more authentic. These activities can support students by deepening their understanding of the skill and offering flexibility in demonstrating their knowledge.
Breaking down abstract skills for students poses a challenge for teachers. Providing a concrete approach can help students grasp a concept in a new way. However, determining how to break down a standard can be difficult at times. For instance, teachers may inquire, “How can the concept of ‘theme’ be broken down for sixth-grade students? What are some manageable ways to approach this idea?”
A general set of recommendations for pedagogical approaches, such as distinguishing between theme and plot, identifying key messages, and analyzing character motivations, can be generated in response to this prompt. Although it does not yield complete lesson plans or pre-designed activities, it serves as a starting point for teachers to break down the skill for struggling students.
Making connections between new skills and students’ personal experiences and interests, such as their background or hobbies, helps enhance understanding. However, this can be challenging if teachers lack experience in a particular area of interest. Therefore, it is crucial to converse with students and develop a deeper understanding of their needs.
AI can act as a bridge between a skill and a student’s interests. For example, a teacher may ask, “How would you teach connotation and denotation to a middle school student who loves football?” AI could then generate a list of strategies for helping students make a connection between this language arts vocabulary skill and sports. These suggestions can be valuable for teachers who notice a student struggling with a concept, as they can help the student understand the material better by leveraging their interests.
Spring soccer season is in full swing, with weekends revolving around moving fro …
Indiana and Ohio have recently become part of a group of states that now require …
In Louisiana, legislators progressed a proposal on Wednesday to broaden a vouche …
