Using Chat GPT to Write Learning Objectives

Do you like writing learning objectives? I can't say that it is one of my favorite tasks. For example, I had to put together a description and objectives for an upcoming presentation; however, my brain was fried. I was on a time crunch and could not assemble an intelligent set of objectives. What did I do instead? I pasted my description and asked Chat GPT to help me craft my objectives!

Here is my description: 

Do you clear ramps or shovel steps? Your answer may determine how accessible and equitable your classroom truly is. In the world of education, examples of step shoveling stifle student performance and create a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. The following session will help you develop a ramp-clearing or UDL mindset, which employs proactive design to create accessible learning experiences and environments for ALL. Participants will learn a variety of easy-to-implement strategies, resources, and tools for creating access and providing flexibility in the product or process.

I asked Chat GPT to put together my objectives and here is what it came up with: 

Objectives: 

• Understand the importance of accessibility and equity in the classroom, and how it impacts student performance.

• Develop a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mindset and utilize proactive design principles to create accessible learning experiences and environments for all students.

• Apply practical strategies, resources, and tools that promote accessibility and flexibility in education's product and process aspects, fostering inclusive learning environments.

Creating Sketchnotes with the Tayasui Sketches School App

Sketchnotes are a great way for students to take notes visually, but did you know you can use them as a formative assessment tool? Visually representing content is a great way to quickly assess students and provide them with options for learning. 

Sketches School

There are various tools to develop sketchnotes; however, Sketches School is one of my favorites on iOS and Android. It's easy to use and offers a variety of accessible options for students to use. I used Sketches School to develop this sample sketchnote to share my understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). I was able to draw examples, words, add text, shapes, and images from my camera!

Want to see how it works? 

Check out my 4-minute tutorial video. 

Generate Interactive Lessons in Seconds with Curipod

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been one of the most noteworthy and polarizing topics in education in 2023. Although it seemed to come out of nowhere, AI has been an influential part of our daily life for quite some time. Many educators (including myself) find it scary to think about some of the challenges of AI; however, there are many time-saving benefits to teachers so that you can focus on what really matters - your students!

Curipod

I recently came across Curipod, which uses AI to generate grade and subject-specific interactive lessons for students. For example, once I signed up for a free account, I chose to generate a 5th-grade lesson on fractions. Curipod designed an interactive lesson filled with open-ended questions, content about fractions, drawing activities, sample problems, and even a brain break! I could easily add or remove content, activities, and assignments if I wanted to modify any activities.

Curiopod reminds me of some of the features of NearPod and Kahoot combined, which makes learning engaging, fun, and student-centered. For instance, much like NearPod, students log in with a class code or QR code, enter their name, and the teacher controls how to navigate the presentation.

 

Curiopod provides students multiple response options for sharing their understanding, such as drawing and entering text. In addition, students can see each other’s work and “vote” for the best answer or drawing.

How Does It Work?

Want to see how it works? Check out my video tutorial.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly impacted education in 2023. While AI may initially seem daunting, its benefits for teachers cannot be overlooked. By leveraging AI-powered tools like Curipod, teachers can save valuable time and energy on mundane educational tasks, allowing them to dedicate more attention to their students. Curipod's grade and subject-specific interactive lessons, reminiscent of NearPod and Kahoot, provide an engaging, student-centered learning experience. With features such as open-ended questions, drawing activities, sample problems, and the ability to modify content, Curiopod empowers students to actively participate, collaborate, and showcase their understanding.

Slides Timer: A Great Alternative to Embedding YouTube Video Timers in Google Slides

I always look for unique ways to keep students on-task, organized, and engaged. One helpful strategy I learned is embedding a timer in Google Slides. Sometimes, students must work on a task in pairs or individually, which creates the need for embedding a timer on specific slides. 

In the past, I have embedded YouTube videos; however, I recently came across a great Chrome Extension called Slides Timer that can create a personalized timer for your needs!

How Does It Work? 

Check out my video or read the instructions below: 

First, install the Chrome Extension in your Chrome Browser. 

Next, identify the slide that you want to add a timer to. Add the following text <<amount of time you want>>. For example, if I wanted a five-minute timer <<5:00>>

Finally, put your presentation in full-screen presentation mode. The timer will automatically work! 

Additional Features

Want to do more with your timer? Here are some powerful keyboard shortcuts and additional features! 

• Use d key to pause timers. e key to reset timers. Timers will start pause with at the end.
• <<5:00->> will count down starting at 5 minutes.
• <<2:00+>> will count up starting at 2 minutes.
• <<time>> will display the current time in AM/PM format.
• <<date>> will display the date in 00/00/00 format.
• <<date>> will display the date in shortened word format.
• <<date>> will display the date in word format.
• When using countdown trigger advancing to the previous slide with an extra - <<00:10-->> will move to the previous slide after 10 seconds.
• When using countdown trigger advancing to the next slide by adding + <<00:10-+>> will move to the next slide after 10 seconds.
• When using countdown trigger audio inserted on the slide by adding @ <<00:10-@>>.
• When using countdown trigger video inserted on the slide by adding ! <<00:10-!>>.
• <<time>> and <<date>> can be customized by adding | and formatting. <<date|MM/dd/yyyy>>

If you want a valuable resource for your science classroom, I recommend using OLogy: Science Website for Kids. 

What is OLogy? 

In science terms, ology is defined as "the study of." The OLogy website was developed by the American Museum of Natural History and contains various videos, resources, articles, and interactive activities to provide students with options for learning content. Students can learn content from 14 different areas of scientific studies, such as Anthropology, Astronomy, Brain Science, Marine Biology, Physics, and more! 

Just click on the OLogy you are searching for and you will be directed to a page filled with rich and diverse content! For example, I clicked on Earth Science and found the following page filled with games, videos, reading articles, and hands-on learning opportunities. Want to learn more about Earth Science? You can read an article titled "Ask a Scientist About Our Environment." 

Conclusion

Research shows that students need options when learning new content. Therefore, videos, articles, and interactive activities are good ways to do so. OLogy provides students and teachers with rich content in a variety of topics. 

Chrome's Experimental Reader View

 Have you ever used a reader view feature in your browser? If you are a Safari or Edge user, you are familiar with this tool that removes backgrounds, images, and other distractions from web pages. 

Imagine you are having students read the following article. It is filled with distracting advertisements, videos, and thumbnails! 

If you use the reader view of your browser, then you will get something like this! 

How does this work? Check out my 3-minute video on using the experimental reader view in Chrome! 

Literal App: You'll Never See Reading the Same Way Again

In middle and high school, I struggled with understanding what I read. Anything that I read didn't make sense or if it did make sense, I quickly forgot it. I was bored with reading at times and zoned out. 

Reading comprehension can be difficult for many of our students to master because reading requires so many different elements. For instance, students may need help with vocabulary usage, background understanding, and staying interested in the content.

The Literal App could be a great solution! The website states, "Literal turns popular books into a digital reading experience that’s 68% more engaging than social media. It’s addicting (in a good way)."

How Does It Work?

Teachers and students have access to 500 free books presented in an interactive group text-messaging format. Each character has their own picture, and students can access an audio version of the group text being read aloud. There are four different reading modes, support tools for translation, a dictionary, and a paid version with more books and features.

Want to see it in action? Check out my brief video!

Conclusion

Literal may be a great solution to keep students engaged or add an additional scaffold and support in your classroom. Students are highly variable in how they learn and comprehend information. This tool could provide students with an alternative medium to build comprehension and important background knowledge to successfully understand and participate in reading assignments.