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Writer's pictureMatt Murrie

How to Use ChatGPT in Class: Step-by-Step Examples

Maximizing the potential of AI in education: A guide for teachers

A Norman Rockwell painting of a chatbot like ChatGPT supporting student learning created using DALLE
A Norman Rockwell painting of a chatbot like ChatGPT supporting student learning created using DALLE

As technology continues to advance, many educators all over the world are wondering how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in the classroom to enhance learning. One of the most promising AI tools for education is ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI.


But how exactly can teachers use ChatGPT?

There are several ways teachers can use ChatGPT as a supplement to human instruction by taking a Curiosity-Based Thinking approach to using ChatGPT. Below is a general overview followed by subject-specific examples for math, English, and history classes.


How ChatGPT Can Supplement Human Instruction

Providing additional practice and feedback on language skills:

ChatGPT can provide personalized practice and feedback on language skills such as grammar, vocabulary, and writing. For example, a teacher could use ChatGPT to grade student essays automatically or to provide feedback on grammar and vocabulary in student writing.


Here is a step-by-step example of how teachers can provide additional practice and feedback on language skills using ChatGPT:


Step 1: Create a set of science-related writing prompts (e.g. "Explain the process of photosynthesis in detail").


Step 2: Have students write their responses to the prompts using a word processor or other writing software.


Step 3: Use ChatGPT to automatically grade student essays and provide feedback on grammar and vocabulary in student writing.


Step 4: Review the feedback provided by ChatGPT and discuss any areas that need further attention in class.


Enhancing language learning through conversation:

ChatGPT can create virtual conversation partners for language learners, allowing students to practice speaking and listening skills in a safe and controlled environment.


Here is a step-by-step example of how teachers can use ChatGPT to enhance language learning through conversation:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create virtual conversation partners for language learners.


Step 2: Have students engage in conversations with the virtual partners in order to practice speaking and listening skills.


Step 3: Monitor the conversations and provide feedback to students on their language use.


Generating personalized content:

ChatGPT can also be used to generate personalized reading or listening materials for students based on their interests and skill level.


Here is a step-by-step example of how teachers can use ChatGPT to Generate engaging, personalized content:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to generate personalized reading or listening materials for students based on their interests and skill level.


Step 2: Provide students with personalized materials and assign them as homework or independent reading.


Step 3: Assign questions or tasks based on the personalized materials to check students' comprehension.


Automating repetitive tasks:

ChatGPT can also be used to automate repetitive tasks such as grading quizzes, providing feedback on assignments, and responding to frequently asked questions.


Here is an idea for how teachers can automate some of their repetitive tasks using ChatGPT:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to automate the grading of quizzes or assignments, provide feedback on student work, and respond to frequently asked questions.


Step 2: Monitor the feedback provided by ChatGPT and review the results with the class.


Step 3: Use the feedback to adjust instruction or reteach concepts as needed.


Offering self-paced learning:

ChatGPT can be used to create self-paced learning resources that students can access at any time, allowing them to learn and practice at their own pace.


Examples of how ChatGPT can be used to offer self-paced learning:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create self-paced learning resources that students can access at any time.


Step 2: Share the self-paced learning resources with students and encourage them to use them to learn and practice at their own pace.


Step 3: Monitor student progress and provide additional support or resources as needed.

 
Subject Specific Examples

English A step-by-step example of how an English teacher could use ChatGPT as a supplement to human instruction:


Providing additional practice and feedback on language skills:


Step 1: Create a set of writing prompts (e.g. "Write a descriptive essay about your favorite place").


Step 2: Have students write their responses to the prompts using a word processor or other writing software.


Step 3: Use ChatGPT to automatically grade student essays and provide feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and writing structure.


Step 4: Review the feedback provided by ChatGPT and discuss any areas that need further attention in class.


Enhancing language learning through conversation:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create virtual conversation partners for language learners.


Step 2: Have students engage in conversations with the virtual partners in order to practice speaking and listening skills.


Step 3: Monitor the conversations and provide feedback to students on their language use.


Generating personalized content:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to generate personalized reading or listening materials for students based on their interests and skill level.


Step 2: Provide students with personalized materials and assign them as homework or independent reading.

  • The teacher could create a list of topics or genres that align with the curriculum or the student's interests.

  • Then use ChatGPT to generate reading passages or writing prompts based on those topics.

  • For example, if a student is interested in science fiction, the teacher could use ChatGPT to generate a reading passage or writing prompt on that topic.

  • These personalized materials can then be assigned as homework or independent reading.

Step 3: Assign questions or tasks based on the personalized materials to check students' comprehension.

  • To check student comprehension of the personalized materials, the teacher could assign questions or tasks that are based on the content of the passages or prompts.

  • These could include comprehension questions, such as "What is the main idea of the passage?" or "What are the key details in the passage?".

  • The teacher could also assign tasks such as summarizing the passage, finding examples of figurative language, or identifying the main characters and their motivations.

  • To assist in assessment, the teacher could also use ChatGPT to generate quizzes or exams on the personalized materials.

Automating repetitive tasks:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to automate the grading of quizzes or assignments, provide feedback on student work, and respond to frequently asked questions.


Step 2: Monitor the feedback provided by ChatGPT and review the results with the class.


Step 3: Use the feedback to adjust instruction or reteach concepts as needed.


Offering self-paced learning:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create self-paced learning resources that students can access at any time.


Step 2: Share the self-paced learning resources with students and encourage them to use them to learn and practice at their own pace.


Step 3: Monitor student progress and provide additional support or resources as needed.

 

History A step-by-step example of how an English teacher could use ChatGPT as a supplement to human instruction:

Providing additional practice and feedback on language skills:


Step 1: Create a set of historical writing prompts (e.g. "Explain the causes of World War I").


Step 2: Have students write their responses to the prompts using a word processor or other writing software.


Step 3: Use ChatGPT to automatically grade student essays and provide feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and writing structure.


Step 4: Review the feedback provided by ChatGPT and discuss any areas that need further attention in class.


Enhancing language learning through conversation:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create virtual conversation partners for language learners.

  • The teacher could create prompts or scenarios based on historical events, figures, or periods aligned with the curriculum.

  • For example, if the students were learning about the American Revolution, the teacher could create prompts such as "Imagine you are a colonist discussing the Boston Tea Party with a friend" or "Imagine you are Thomas Jefferson writing a letter to King George III".

Step 2: Have students engage in conversations with the virtual partners in order to practice speaking and listening skills in a historical context.

  • Once the teacher has created the historical prompts, they can assign them to the students as speaking and listening practice exercises.

  • The students can then use the prompts to engage in conversations with the virtual conversation partner, either individually or in small groups.

  • The students can either type in their responses or use speech-to-text technology to speak their responses.

  • Practicing speaking and listening skills in a historical context, can help students understand and appreciate historical contexts better and in new ways.

Step 3: Monitor the conversations and provide feedback to students on their language use.


Generating personalized content:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to generate personalized historical reading or listening materials for students based on their interests and skill level.


Step 2: Provide students with personalized materials and assign them as homework or independent reading.

  • A teacher could create a list of historical topics or periods that align with the curriculum or the student's interests, and then use ChatGPT to generate reading passages or writing prompts based on those topics.

  • For example, if a student is interested in ancient Egypt, the teacher could use ChatGPT to generate a reading passage or writing prompt on that topic. These personalized materials can then be assigned as homework or independent reading.

Step 3: Assign questions or tasks based on the personalized materials to check students' comprehension.

  • To check student comprehension of the personalized materials, the teacher could assign questions or tasks that are based on the content of the passages or prompts.

  • These could include comprehension questions, such as "What is the main idea of the passage?" or "What are the key details in the passage?".

  • The teacher could also assign tasks such as summarizing the passage, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, or analyzing the point of view or bias of the passage.

  • And to assist in assessment, the teacher could also use ChatGPT to generate quizzes or exams on the personalized materials.

Automating repetitive tasks:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to automate the grading of quizzes or assignments, provide feedback on student work, and respond to frequently asked questions.


Step 2: Monitor the feedback provided by ChatGPT and review the results with the class.


Step 3: Use the feedback to adjust instruction or reteach concepts as needed.


Offering self-paced learning:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create self-paced learning resources that students can access at any time.


Step 2: Share the self-paced learning resources with students and encourage them to use them to learn and practice at their own pace.


Step 3: Monitor student progress and provide additional support or resources as needed.

 

Math

A step-by-step example of how a math teacher could use ChatGPT as a supplement to human instruction:


Providing additional practice and feedback on language skills:


Step 1: Create a set of math-related word problems or explanations (e.g. "Solve for x: 2x + 3 = 7").


Step 2: Have students write their solutions to the problems or explanations using a word processor or other writing software.


Step 3: Use ChatGPT to automatically grade student responses and provide feedback on grammar and vocabulary in student writing.


Step 4: Review the feedback provided by ChatGPT and discuss any areas that need further attention in class.


Enhancing language learning through conversation:


Step 1: Create a set of math-related conversation prompts (e.g. "Explain how you would solve this equation: 2x + 3 = 7").


Step 2: Use ChatGPT to create virtual conversation partners for language learners that can respond to the prompts.


Step 3: Have students engage in conversations with the virtual partners in order to practice math-related language skills such as explaining solutions or solving problems in a foreign language.


Step 4: Monitor the conversations and provide feedback to students on their language use.


Generating personalized content:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to generate personalized math problems or explanations for students based on their interests and skill level.

  • The teacher could create a list of math topics or concepts that align with the curriculum or the student's interests, and then use ChatGPT to generate problems or explanations based on those topics.

  • For example, if a student is interested in geometry, the teacher could use ChatGPT to generate geometry problems or explanations on topics such as perimeter, area, or volume.

  • Additionally, the teacher could also use ChatGPT to generate problems or explanations at different difficulty levels based on the student's skill level.

Step 2: Provide students with personalized problems or explanations and assign them as homework or independent practice.

  • Once the teacher has generated the personalized problems or explanations, they can assign them to the students as homework or independent practice. This way, students can practice math skills that align with their interests and skill level, which can help them stay engaged and motivated.

Step 3: Assign questions or tasks based on the personalized problems or explanations to check students' comprehension.

  • The teacher could assign questions or tasks based on the problems' content or explanations.

  • These could include comprehension questions, such as "What is the main concept being taught in this problem or explanation?" or "What is the key formula or theorem used in this problem?".

  • The teacher could also assign tasks such as solving the problem, explaining the solution, or analyzing the problem-solving strategy.

  • And to assist in assessment, the teacher could also use ChatGPT to generate quizzes or exams on the personalized problems or explanations.

Automating repetitive tasks:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to automate the grading of quizzes or assignments, provide feedback on student work, and respond to frequently asked questions.


Step 2: Create a set of math problems or quizzes for students to complete.


Step 3: Use ChatGPT to automatically grade student responses and provide feedback on the answers.


Step 4: Monitor the feedback provided by ChatGPT and review the results with the class.


Step 5: Use the feedback to adjust instruction or reteach concepts as needed.


Offering self-paced learning:


Step 1: Use ChatGPT to create self-paced learning resources such as math problems, quizzes, and explanations that students can access at any time.


Step 2: Share the self-paced learning resources with students and encourage them to use them to learn and practice at their own pace.


Step 3: Monitor student progress and provide additional support or resources as needed.


Step 4: Use the feedback provided by ChatGPT to adjust instruction or reteach concepts as needed.

 

Want to learn more about how you can incorporate curiosity-based thinking into your teaching and learning? Contact What If Curiosity today and see how we can help you create an engaging and effective learning environment for your students.




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