This is the fourth time I’m responding to this prompt and reading the same document, I really feel like I am running out of original things to say on the topic of generative AI. Looking back at past posts I’ve explored implementation using the SAMR and PIC RAT models as well as ways to incorporate it purposely into classrooms. Generative AI has become ubiquitous over the last couple of years, going beyond the algorithms that predict the songs you’ll like on Spotify or what videos and posts fit you on social media or even completing search phrases on google. Generative AI is now imbedded in everything, I opened up Teams a couple of weeks ago to rework some of my rubrics using the grade 5 performance standards as I am moving to grade 5 from grade 4 in a few short weeks and Teams was offering to create and edit my rubric for me using AI! How does AI know what is not only developmentally appropriate for grade 5 students but what I am looking for in student work? There is a time and place for using AI but assessing subjective student work needs to be done by a human.
In May my school district’s IT department sent out a set of guidelines for using AI, naming a specific tool I have not yet taken the time to experiment with as the approved AI tool, I am familiar with Chat GPT and have used it to create templates for my self when unsure of how to begin writing in a specific format and to simplify complex texts to the reading levels of my students. One thing I dislike with the policy that was released in June is being told I may only use a specific approved tool, instead of being allowed to experiment and utilize the best tool for the task at hand. I understand the need to disclose when AI was used and modeling that for students as well as that ultimately I am responsible for any output I present or publish regardless of how it was generated, I am the one making the choice to use a specific tool to complete a task. The other positive aspect of the policy is one for the protection of staff and students in that no personal or identifying information may be used when working with AI. At this time my district has not yet approved an AI tool for student use, I find this to be disappointing as there are many positives to AI and ways it can be used in a way that upholds academic integrity while still being supportive of learning. I notice that many of my grade 4/5 students struggle to come up with ideas for writing unless it is about their favorite youtuber or video game, AI can be helpful in the brainstorming phase, this is a sample request I gave ChatGPT that I would model for my class:
Ms. Younger
What are 5 reasons grade 4 students should learn how to swim?
ChatGPT
Here are five reasons why grade 4 students should learn how to swim:
- Safety: Learning how to swim is a crucial life skill that can prevent drowning and ensure children’s safety around water. As students are more likely to engage in water-related activities, knowing how to swim can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
- Physical Health: Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances flexibility. It promotes overall physical fitness and encourages a healthy, active lifestyle from a young age.
- Confidence and Independence: Mastering swimming skills can boost students’ self-confidence and foster a sense of independence. Overcoming challenges in the water can help them feel more capable and ready to tackle other obstacles in life.
- Social Skills: Swimming lessons provide an opportunity for students to interact with their peers in a different environment, promoting teamwork, cooperation, and social bonding. It can be a fun and engaging way to build friendships and enhance social skills.
- Cognitive Benefits: Swimming has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. The coordination and concentration required for swimming can positively impact academic performance and overall brain development.
Ms. Younger
Rewrite this for a 9-year-old student
ChatGPT
Here are five reasons why it’s important for you to learn how to swim:
- Safety: Knowing how to swim can keep you safe around water. It helps you avoid accidents and know what to do if you ever find yourself in a tricky situation in the water.
- Exercise: Swimming is a fun way to get exercise. It helps make your heart and muscles strong, and it keeps your body healthy.
- Confidence: When you learn to swim, you feel proud of yourself. It shows you can learn new things and be brave, which helps you feel more confident in other parts of your life too.
- Making Friends: Swimming lessons are a great place to meet new friends and work together. You can have fun and learn to cooperate with others in the water.
- Brain Power: Swimming can help make your brain work better. It helps you think clearly, remember things, and solve problems, which can help you do better in school.
If we were to be using this as part of an exercise on writing persuasive paragraphs or speeches I would walk my students through choosing 3-4 of the 5 points given or adding their own using the output as inspiration. At this point we would be closing the Chat GPT tab and doing our outlines and drafts in our writers notebooks by hand, working though the writing process.
I would also like to be able to model copying text from a website into Chat GPT to have it simplify the reading level for students who are struggling to follow the text or having Chat GPT summarize or create notes from a text particularly for students who are struggling readers. Many of my struggling readers have something they are passionate about and interested in but can not access the resources on the internet to learn more about that topic, using AI to simplify the text allows them access to it immediately and with dignity. Other students will not see that a peer has use AI to simplify the text retaining dignity and privacy
