Class 3: Exploring AI in the Classroom

I showed ChatGPT our AI Toolkit page and asked it to write a two paragraph introduction. This is what I got back …

In this week’s class, we will be diving into the world of AI tools and resources. As part of our course, we are allowing the use of AI tools for weekly assignments and encouraging you to use them in creative ways. However, it’s important to remember that AI is a tool and its limitations. You must acknowledge the use of AI in your assignments and include a paragraph explaining its use. Additionally, be cautious of the information provided by AI and use it ethically.

We have compiled a list of AI tools, including writing tools like ChatGPT, image tools like DALL-E, audio/video tools like Google Speech-to-Text, and even some clever projects. All of these resources are free or have free intro promotions. We will be incorporating these tools into our course throughout the semester, so make sure to take advantage of them. Keep in mind that AI is just a tool and you need to consider its limitations and ethical concerns before using it.
~ChatGPT

Back to the human … As you can see it’s pretty easy to get content out of AI – but is it any good? I find these two paragraphs to be rather cold. ChatGPT selected a few details from the AI ToolKit page, but did not use them effectively to create interest in today’s lesson. So let’s ignore and start over ….

In today’s class we will explore the tools found on our AI Toolkit page. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the tools plus find some tips on writing better prompts (that’s the key to success with AI). You’ll be working in groups and we will share our findings.

We will also consider how AI could be used or misused in the classroom. Remember that in this course, AI use is permitted – but you cite all AI work and reflect on how successful it was. See our Course AI Policy.

AI Toolkit

ChatGPT Demo Prompts

I asked ChatGPT: I am teaching college students about AI. Give me a few short demonstrations they can do to find out about ChatGPT. Make them fun

Here’s what ChatGPT gave me back. They all seem like useable activities. It makes me wonder about using it as a brainstorming tool.

“ChatGPT Storytime”: Have students give ChatGPT a starting sentence, and see how the model continues the story. For example, “Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a magical forest.” This activity can be made more fun by having students come up with their own creative starting sentences and comparing the different story outcomes.
“ChatGPT Poetry Jam”: Have students give ChatGPT a line of poetry, and see how well it can continue the poem. For example, “Roses are red, violets are blue” this activity can be made more fun by having students come up with their own opening lines and create a collaborative poem with ChatGPT.
“ChatGPT Dialogue”: Have students come up with a script for a conversation between two characters, and have ChatGPT generate the dialogue. This activity can be made more fun by having students act out the conversations with each other, or by having them compete to see who can create the most interesting or humorous script.
“ChatGPT News Headlines”: Have students give ChatGPT a topic, and see how well it can generate a news headline on that topic. For example, “What is the headline for the latest news on climate change?”. This activity can be made more fun by having students compete to see who can come up with the most creative or attention-grabbing headline.
“ChatGPT Song Lyrics”: Have students give ChatGPT a line of song lyrics, and see how well it can continue the song. For example, “Verse 1: I was feeling down and out” this activity can be made more fun by having students compete to see who can come up with the most catchy or well-written verse, and even forming a song with ChatGPT’s output.

Image Generating Demo Prompts

I asked ChatGPT a follow up question: : I’m also going to be demonstrating AI image generating tools like DALLE-E and Lexica. Give me five short demonstrations students can use to find out about AI image generation. Make them fun.

Here’s what ChatGPT generated for ideas. But I’m not sure that image generators will be able to do these tasks as written. They might work as a jump off point. For example, I don’t think it could “design a planet.” But it would be interesting to see if it could design inhabitants, if you gave it parameters (such as heavy gravity). So we will use or modify as needed.

“Design a new planet using AI image generation tools and describe the unique features and inhabitants of the planet.”
“Create a fashion line using AI image generation tools and present your collection in a virtual runway show.”
“Visualize your dream home using AI image generation tools, including interior and exterior design.”
“Use AI image generation tools to design a series of postcards from imaginary travels to different parts of the world.”
“Create a set of AI-generated book covers for a collection of your favorite classic novels and present the designs to the class.”

Assignment 3: AI in Education | AI Lessons 23-A3

In this assignment, you are invited to explore the impact of AI on education, either positive or negative, from the perspective of a teacher or student. You can also use the assignment to experiment with AI tools and see if they can assist you in creating educational content or materials.

This is a great opportunity to get hands-on with AI tools and reflect on their impact on the field of education. Have fun and be creative!

To complete the task, you may choose to post “about” or “use” AI for creation. For example:

“About AI”: Write a reflection on the implications of AI in education, including its potential benefits and / or drawbacks.
“Use AI”: Create an educational resource using AI tools, such as creating lesson plans, student activities, or rubrics. Some great ideas here: A Teacher’s Prompt Guide to ChatGPT
Some combination or new idea of your own.

Feel free to AI tools to assist you in developing the post – brainstorm ideas, polish up your writing, create a title or generate a featured image.

For all assignments – be sure to create an interesting title, a featured image, citations and hyperlinks for any public domain images or external content used.

Any AI use will need to be cited and you should reflect on the AI generating process you used to create the product. You can site the AI text or image tool you utilized. Include the image-generating prompt you used.

About the Featured Image

It was made with Lexica using the prompt: “Create a featured image for a WordPress post called “Exploring AI in the Classroom” It should include a student and teacher exploring a Maurice Sendak style setting like “Where the Wild Things Are.”

I had to input the same prompt three different times to get this image. The artistic style doesn’t seem very Sendak. But the content feel like him. I tried three image generators with the same prompt. Here’s another image created by Lexica and images from DALL-E and Karlo.