A to Z of lesson planning using ChatGPT

Prompt Engineering is an extremely important part of integrating generative AI into the design of the curriculum and lesson planning. Following my previous post on "The Alphabet of Prompt Engineering in Curriculum Design (https://lnkd.in/ejCzVEDv), I have now completed the A of Prompt Engineering in Lesson Planning.

 

A-Z of Prompt Engineering for lesson planning

Prompt engineering plays a fundamental role in the era of generative AI, especially in educational settings. It's similar to a personal assistant skilfully shaping and moulding raw material (here, the raw material is the AI's vast repository of information, knowledge and capabilities). For educators, prompt engineering is more than just a tool—it's a transformative tool to elevate and enhance their teaching methods.

Effective time management is a significant advantage of this approach. Educators often struggle to balance their workload (lesson planning, marking, student engagement, etc.). Generative AI, when guided by well-crafted prompts, can efficiently handle tasks like creating lesson materials, generating examples, or even providing personalised feedback. This saves time and allows educators to concentrate on the more human-centric aspects of teaching that require a human touch, such as fostering critical thinking and emotional intelligence in their students.

Moreover, prompt engineering in generative AI relieves the workload. Instead of spending hours creating presentations, researching materials, or drafting multiple versions of a lesson plan, educators can delegate these tasks to AI. This delegation isn't just about getting the job done; it's about getting it done with a level of customisation and precision that matches well with the session’s learning objectives.

Having AI as an assistant in education is not about replacing the human element; it's about augmenting it[1]. With AI handling the more routine or data-intensive aspects of teaching, educators can elevate their lessons to higher levels. They can delve deeper into subjects, create more interactive and engaging learning experiences, and even personalise learning paths for students based on their unique needs and learning styles.

The transformative aspect of AI in education lies in its ability to present concepts in diverse and innovative ways. For example, an AI tool can generate visual aids, simulate historical events, or create interactive scenarios that bring abstract concepts to life and make them tangible. This approach improves understanding and makes learning a more engaging and enjoyable experience for students.

Generative AI's role in education is not just to provide information but to enhance the learning experience, offering educators a dynamic, versatile tool that adapts to their teaching styles and the diverse needs of their students.

 

Prompt Engineering Alphabet for Lesson Planning
Item	Description	Prompt Example
Assessment Creation	This involves using AI to design quizzes, tests, or other forms of assessment that accurately gauge student understanding.	Example 1: Design a quiz to assess understanding of the basic (Concept you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create an evaluation form for a presentation on environmental issues.
Brainstorming Topics	Use AI to create creative and engaging topics for lessons, projects, or discussions.	Example 1: Suggest five engaging project ideas for the (Concept you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: List potential debate topics suitable for students (the level/year of the students) covering current global issues.
Curriculum Development	Here, AI helps create comprehensive curriculum plans, ensuring all necessary topics are covered in an organised manner.	Example 1: Outline a year-long curriculum for (the module/programme you are developing) suitable for students (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Develop a six-week mini-course curriculum on digital marketing suitable for students (the level/year of the students).
Diagram Illustration	AI can be employed to create visual aids like diagrams and charts that help explain complex concepts.	Example 1: Create a detailed diagram showing the parts of a cell suitable for students (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Generate an infographic explaining the different types of governments for a civics class.
Example Generation	AI can provide relevant examples to illustrate a point or concept in various subjects.	Example 1: Provide examples to illustrate supply and demand in economics. Example 2: Generate real-world scenarios to demonstrate ethical dilemmas in healthcare.
Feedback Creation	AI can assist in generating personalised feedback on student assignments or tests tailored to their individual performance.	Example 1: Create personalised feedback comments for students' essays (specific essay titles related to the topic). Example 2: Develop feedback templates for lab reports in the (topic you intend to teach).
Game & Activity Design	AI can help design educational games and activities that are fun and informative.	Example 1: Create a team-building activity for a leadership workshop. Example 2: Create a game that is suitable for students of (the level/year of the students) to learn and practice the (topic you intend to teach).
Hands-on Experiment Design	This involves using AI to design practical, hands-on experiments or activities that enhance learning through direct experience and interaction.	Example 1: Plan a simple physics experiment to demonstrate the (topic you intend to teach). Example 2: Create a detailed plan for a hands-on experiment to demonstrate the (topic you intend to teach), including safety guidelines and required materials suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Interactive Content Creation	This involves creating interactive lessons or digital content that actively engages students.	Example 1: Create an interactive timeline of the (topic you intend to teach). Example 2: Create an interactive quiz on the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Journal Prompt Ideas	AI can suggest creative writing prompts for student journals or reflective writing assignments.	Example 1: Suggest journal prompts for reflecting on personal goals. Example 2: Suggest five journal prompts to encourage self-reflection suitable for students of (the level/year of the students) about their future goals.
Knowledge Check Questions	AI can formulate quick questions to check students' understanding of a lesson or concept.	Example 1: Create five knowledge check questions for a lesson on the basics of the (topic you intend to teach). Example 2: Generate quick quiz questions to test understanding of the (topic you intend to teach).
Lesson Planning	AI assists in designing detailed lesson plans that cover objectives, materials, activities, and assessments.	Example 1: Design a lesson plan for a 45-minute class on the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Outline a lesson plan for teaching basic programming concepts in Python suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Material Compilation	AI can help gather and compile teaching materials such as reading texts, worksheets, or multimedia resources.	Example 1: Compile a list of resources and reading materials for a unit on the (topic you intend to teach) for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Gather engaging multimedia resources to supplement a lesson on the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Narrative Development	This involves creating engaging stories or scenarios to make lessons more captivating.	Example 1: Develop a narrative about a journey through the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create a historical fiction scenario to help students understand the (Topic you intend to teach).
Online Resource Compilation	AI can assist in integrating online resources and digital tools into the curriculum.	Example 1: Identify online simulations for the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Suggest websites and online platforms for interactive learning suitable for students (the level/year of the students).
Project-Based Learning Ideas	Generate ideas for project-based learning activities that encourage hands-on experience and in-depth exploration.	Example 1: Propose a project idea for high school students to study the (topic you intend to teach). Example 2: Design a group project suitable for students of (the level/year of the students) to create a business plan for a small startup.
Question Formulation for Discussion	AI helps craft thought-provoking questions to stimulate class discussions or debates.	Example 1: List five open-ended questions to spark a discussion on climate change suitable for students (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create engaging questions for a debate on the ethics of artificial intelligence suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Research Paper Topics	AI can suggest unique and interesting research paper topics for students at various educational levels.	Example 1: Provide five research topic ideas related to the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Suggest a research paper suitable for students of (the level/year of the students) focusing on the (topic you intend to teach).
Study Guide Creation	AI can assist in creating comprehensive study guides that summarise key concepts and information.	Example 1: Create a study guide that covers the major themes of the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: "Develop a guide summarising the main principles of the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
Technology Integration	This involves using AI to develop strategies and methods for integrating technology effectively into the curriculum, enhancing learning experiences.	Example 1: Develop a lesson plan for the (topic you intend to teach) that incorporates virtual reality technology suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create a guide for university educators on integrating interactive digital tools into a remote learning environment for an engaging online education experience.
Understanding Complex Concepts	AI can break down complex concepts into simpler, more understandable components.	Example 1: Explain the concept of the (topic you intend to teach)  in simple terms for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Describe the theory of relativity in an accessible way for students of (the level/year of the students).
Visual Aid Creation	AI can be used to create visual aids like charts, graphs, and illustrations to enhance learning.	Example 1: Generate an infographic explaining the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create a series of charts to illustrate different types of government systems for a social studies class.
World Real Examples	Incorporating real-world examples and case studies to make lessons more relevant and engaging.	Example 1: Provide examples of successful entrepreneurial ventures in the tech industry for a business studies class. Example 2: Discuss the impact of climate change on different ecosystems around the world suitable for students of (the level/year of the students).
eXploratory Learning	AI can suggest exploratory and inquiry-based learning activities that encourage critical thinking.	Example 1: Design an exploratory activity for students (the level/year of the students) to investigate the (topic you intend to teach). Example 2: Suggest an inquiry-based project on the topic of renewable energy sources for students (the level/year of the students).
Year Review and Recap	AI can help create comprehensive reviews of the year's curriculum, aiding in revision and recapitulation.	Example 1: Develop an end-of-year review packet covering key concepts of the (topic you intend to teach) suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Create a recap quiz for an end-of-year session in a mathematics class.
Zooming In	This concept entails using AI to 'zoom in' on specific details or aspects of a broader topic, offering a more focused and in-depth understanding.	Example 1: Zoom in on the impact of microplastics on marine life in the Pacific Ocean suitable for students of (the level/year of the students). Example 2: Focus in detail on the architectural innovations of the Roman Empire and their influence on modern architecture for a university-level art history class.

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[1] See A element in the SAMR model (S-Substitution, A-Augmentation, M-Modification, and R-Redefinition)

Image source: AI Can Now Write Your Lesson Plans - by David Weller (barefootteflteacher.com)

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