If you’ve been following the media in the past while related to generative AI (artificial intelligence) including ChatGPT (links to external resource), you may find the following resources of value as you consider the impact on teaching and learning. Many teachers are already incorporating or considering how to incorporate teaching about these technologies in their classrooms as a way to build students’ digital and information literacies. Below are a few resources that may help as you consider how/where this fits in your context.
AI is quickly revolutionizing the way teaching and learning is done in classrooms around the world. From providing personalized instruction to using natural language processing to measure student progress, AI is making it easier than ever before for teachers to quickly assess and respond to the needs of their students.
The potential of AI to improve teaching and learning is tremendous. AI can provide personalized instruction to students based on their individual needs and abilities. AI-based programs can also generate data that can be used to measure student performance, allowing teachers to easily monitor progress and adjust course content accordingly. AI can also provide students with feedback in real-time, allowing them to quickly identify and address potential problems.
AI can also help teachers save time and effort by automating certain tasks, such as grading and tracking attendance. This can free up teachers to focus more on engaging and interacting with their students, allowing for more effective learning.
However, there are also potential challenges associated with AI in the classroom. For example, AI-based programs may not be able to recognize and respond appropriately to nuances in student behavior, leading to inaccurate assessments. Additionally, AI-based systems can be expensive, and may not be accessible to all schools.
Overall, AI has the potential to dramatically improve teaching.
*The quoted text above was created using the following prompt submitted to ChatGPT: Write a blog post for student teachers about how AI is impacting teaching and learning and include the positives and potential challenges
NB: important to note if there are age limits for the use of particular tools and/or consider privacy implications and district/school policies if asking students to sign up for accounts or engage with such tools.
ChatGPT in the Classroom Educator Workshop
Danny Leeming (WKTEP instructor and secondary teacher in the West Kootenays) presentation Jan. 2023 for the Cobblestone Collective
This workshop is designed to help teachers understand how they can use ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI, in their classroom. Through hands-on activities and interactive discussions, participants will gain a deep understanding of how ChatGPT works and how it can be used to support language learning, facilitate student engagement, and enhance writing instruction.
- Webinar Recording on Youtube
- In addition to some practical ways AI is and can be incorporated in various learning environments, the session also includes interesting info about ‘what it is NOT good for’ (min. 11) bringing up inherent issues with the current tech – things KIDS and Teachers should know…
UBC Geering Up AI for Educators
Reid Patterson (Cognitive Systems graduate and UBC Engineering Geering Up Educator) facilitated an interactive hybrid workshop on Feb. 2023 for UBC Teacher Ed teacher candidates. Below are resources from his session:
- AI for Educators workshop recording is on Youtube.
- PowerPoint slides used in the session (coming soon).
- The version of Scratch that we used during the workshop is linked here.
The first half of this session is a hands-on exploration of machine learning and AI using freely accessible, open resources online, that can very easily be incorporated into any middle or high school classroom.
- Teachable Machine (Another application of this technology: I recently participated in an “Exploring Digital Agriculture” workshop where this app was used to help identify ‘weed’ from ‘not weed’ and simulated real work being done on farms across Canada where drones fly overhead to help target fertilizers and herbicides based on AI feedback)
- Some additional resources from UBC Geering Up’s ‘Reacher Resource Hub’ related to AI – filter by AI – (includes Bias in AI for middle years learners)
What I learned from talking with a Robot
Dr. Charles Ungerleider, professor emeritus, UBC Faculty of Education, recently shared his thoughts and experiences: “ChatGPT and I have been discussing morality, jokes and what it can do for my field of study, education” with the Tyee. Read the article on the Tyee website.
VSB PodCast
Jeff Spence, District Principal, Information Technology along with Aaron Tarbuck, Secondary Teacher, both with the Vancouver School District, provide a concise overview and share their thoughts on ChatGPT in K12 contexts in the “Matter of the Month” segment on this “After the Bell” podcast episode (min. 9:25). Highlights for me included how teachers might leverage these technologies to support students in developing their questioning skills and to uncover and support the writing process. Some specific examples provided. One of the key messages here is, “Do not be afraid – learn!”
Citations and Chat GPT
Microsoft recently launched a beta version of Bing enabled with ‘chat search’ that will, “deliver better search, more complete answers, a new chat experience and the ability to generate content.” Apparently, this will also respond to the concern that ChatGPT is ineffective at referencing sources.
Citing ChatGPT itself as a resource in a reference list is also a popular topic of discussion among academics and, I think, is an emerging discussion among K12 educators as well. According to the Guardian, Feb. 27, 2023, the International Baccalaureate® (IB program) recently permitted use of ChatGPT as a source for IB essays. Several post-sec institutions have published guidance documents and it is notable that APA style guide is under revision to reflect this emerging technology/trend. For now, UGuelph has provided citation examples and summarized some of the changes. UBC has posted a guide to academic integrity and ChatGPT.
Chat GPT and Academic Integrity: how this technology requires how way we assess
Additional Resources (more coming soon…)
- UBCs Academic Integrity & ChatGPT
- Open AI Classifier for AI written text
- Chatting & Cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in a time of ChatGPT
*See Blog Post July 2023 Scarfe Digital Sandbox for a panel webinar on the possibilities and challenges for educators along with some additional recommended resources (including Microsoft EDUs latest resources)