AI- Choose Your Own Adventure

Author

Merissa Sadler-Holder
September 11, 2024

Meet Larisa Black, our newest Teaching with Machines Maverick!

In this TWM Maverick edition, Larisa will walk us through her steps in creating a personalized learning experience, "Choose Your Own Adventure" for her students in a virtual Earth Science class where they solve real world problems like weathering and erosion in Yellowstone National Park.

Larisa Black is a passionate educator with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration in the classroom. As an AI literacy coach and seasoned science teacher, she has dedicated her career to equipping fellow educators with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI's transformative power in education.

I encourage you to reach out to her directly! She is not only incredibly innovative but also exceedingly kind. I know she would welcome your message!

Using SchoolAI in a Virtual Classroom

By Larisa Black

When I began teaching virtually over eight years ago, the resources available were limited, and the technology tools were not nearly as engaging as they are today. It has been exciting to watch the evolution and progression of these tools into something that empowers virtual teachers to engage students in diverse ways. The shift to online instruction during COVID-19 spurred rapid growth in the EdTech industry, with new innovations emerging within established platforms. In the past year, we’ve witnessed another significant advancement, largely driven by the introduction of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. While the integration of AI into education presents both opportunities and challenges, my focus today will be on the opportunities. I am optimistic about the future.

SchoolAI was one of the first AI-powered EdTech platforms I implemented with my students. After conducting thorough research to ensure its compliance with COPPA and FERPA, I tested the platform as a student myself before introducing it to my learners—a practice I highly recommend for any educator.

SchoolAI offers a range of tools for teachers, from lesson planning to assessment creation. However, what captivated me most were the platform’s chatbots, or "spaces." When ChatGPT was initially released, I was eager to explore its potential for student engagement, but due to safety and monitoring concerns as a virtual teacher, I had to abandon the idea—until I discovered SchoolAI.

With SchoolAI, I was able to create content-specific spaces with my own set of rules and parameters, ensuring a safe and structured environment for students. Each student received a code to access the space (chatbot), allowing me to monitor all interactions. This not only facilitated learning but also allowed for ongoing discussions outside traditional class times. It was the perfect solution for my virtual classroom. I created spaces for activities like test review, vocabulary practice, and even YouTube video integration.

Image of SchoolAI

While this approach fostered personalized learning, I wanted to push it further by encouraging collaboration, a critical skill for students. I used a "Choose Your Own Adventure" space where students worked together to solve a real-world problem. In one lesson, I tasked my Earth Science students with addressing the issue of weathering and erosion in National Parks, specifically Yellowstone. The space guided students through various scenarios, requiring them to choose roles like "Ranger," "Biologist," "Engineer," or "Geologist." Working in teams via breakout rooms, each group navigated different paths based on their decisions, leading to unique solutions.

Teacher end of creating the chatbot space:

Once the teacher clicks launch it will create a code to send to students.

Afterward, we reconvened as a class to discuss the different approaches each group took. This exercise demonstrated that multiple solutions can exist for the same problem, fostering critical thinking and teamwork. The following week, a ranger from Yellowstone joined our class virtually, and students proudly shared their solutions. The ranger was impressed and engaged them in a discussion about their problem-solving processes.

This experience reinforced my belief that AI, when used responsibly, can be a powerful tool in education. It has the potential to enhance problem-solving, facilitate collaboration, and serve as a valuable thought partner for both teachers and students.

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