AI in Education, tools & the critical role of structured prompting.

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and learning has become indispensable. This text delves into the critical role of structured prompting in optimizing the symbiosis between AI and education, exploring its impact on both teachers and students. From ChatGPT 4's multimodal features aiding content creation to students leveraging AI for automatic summaries and study planning, the narrative unfolds the nuanced dynamics. Rooted in the importance of clear instructions, this exploration resonates with the expertise of Dr. Philippa Hardman, an esteemed authority on AI and learning, whose insights add depth to the conversation surrounding the strategic integration of AI in education.

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The Teacher's Perspective:

Educators employ a plethora of AI tools for content creation, brainstorming, research analysis, writing, and task automation.

1: Content Creation

Generating course material, text, images, videos, voices, video/audio production, etc.

Tools:

• ChatGPT 4: https://openai.com/gpt-4? New multimodal features are utilized for scriptwriting and as a foundation for content creation.
• DALL-E: https://openai.com/dall-e-2? Used for image generation, particularly for creating visual content for self-paced lessons and course material.
• WellSaid Labs: https://wellsaidlabs.com/ . Employed for creating text-to-speech voice-overs, especially for training videos and audio content.
• Synthesia & Colossyan: https://www.colossyan.com/? Tools for video creation, assisting in the production of educational videos and course material.

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2: Brainstorming & Ideation

To generate creative ideas, seek new perspectives, and structure thoughts.

Brainstorming and ideation tools for educators include:

• ChatGPT 3.5 & 4: Used for brainstorming and providing feedback on ideas.
• Claude: https://www.anthropic.com/product ?(limited to certain regions - not yet used). Utilized for providing feedback on existing content and session plans.

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3: Research & Analysis

To review and iterate on lessons. Educators input existing qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., survey feedback; LMS data) and collaborate with AI to analyze and implement data-driven improvements.

Research and analysis tools:

• ChatGPT, Bing & Bard (Avoid downloading Google!): These AI tools are used to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, such as survey feedback and LMS data.- For research information and explanations, I prefer Bing.- For data analysis (e.g., Excel), I prefer ChatGPT.
• take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Z7r3LW4Ug

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4: Writing & Communication

Efficient and effective writing and communication. Common applications include drafting scripts and lesson plans, emulating their writing style or that of someone else, translating course material, and adapting text to the target audience (age, role, etc.).

writing tools among educators include:

• ChatGPT, Claude & Bing: For writing from scratch or editing notes.
• SmartCat: For translations. https://www.smartcat.com/pricing/ (costly).

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5: Task Automation

Automation of repetitive tasks, such as note-taking and summarizing.

Task automation tools:

• ChatGPT: For basic functions like text summarization.
• Fathom: https://fathom.video/ . For recording, transcribing, and analyzing lessons and/or student interviews to streamline the analysis process.

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Other tools

• ed non-fiction books: https://www.shortform.com/

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?The Student's Realm

For students, AI serves as a valuable asset, assisting in various aspects of their academic journey. However, there are challenges associated with responsible AI use, particularly in preventing cheating and guiding students to engage critically with these tools.

Students: Cheating with conditions:

AI tools, like ChatGPT, have the potential for copying, much like a pen can be used for various purposes. The challenge for educators is to guide students in using AI responsibly, understanding its workings, questioning outputs, and engaging with these tools critically to promote thoughtful learning.

Jack Dougall ChatGPT Learning Code is a guiding principle for all students ?(not HE) to embrace. Engraved in the acrostic CHATGPT, it reads as follows:

• ·?????? Converse
• ·?????? Hypothesize
• ·?????? Adapt
• ·?????? Think
• ·?????? Gather
• ·?????? Probe
• ·?????? Train

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Students in Higher Education: tools

In higher education students can leverage AI to enhance their studies and perform assignments. Here are some practical examples:

1. Automatic Summaries:

• Students can use AI tools such as GPT-3 to automatically generate summaries of lengthy texts, saving time and facilitating easier retention of crucial information. (TLNR)

2. Plagiarism Detection:

• AI tools like Turnitin? https://www.turnitin.com/?? can assist students in preventing plagiarism by scanning their assignments for similarities with other sources.

3. Adaptive Learning Systems:

• AI tools like Knewton? https://www.wiley.com/en-us/education/alta?? can aid students in personalizing their learning experiences by adapting to their individual learning styles and performance levels.

4. Chatbots:

• Students can utilize AI chatbots like IBM Watson Assistant https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-assistant?? to quickly obtain answers to frequently asked questions regarding their courses and assignments.

5. Study Planning:

• AI tools such as MyStudyLife ?https://mystudylife.com/?? can assist students in planning their studies by reminding them of deadlines, classes, and other important events.

6. Automatic Evaluation:

• AI tools like Gradescope ?https://www.gradescope.com/?? can help students in promptly and accurately assessing their assignments and exams.

7. Writing

• Grammarly: https://app.grammarly.com/ An AI tool that assists students in improving their writing skills by detecting grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
• Quillbot: https://quillbot.com/?? An AI tool that helps students in paraphrasing sentences and enhancing their writing skills.

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Does the utilization of AI in peer feedback contribute to an increase in student agency?

The outcomes of the experiment imply that students tended to depend on AI assistance rather than deriving educational value from it. Even in the absence of AI assistance, self-regulated strategies were identified as a potential means to bridge the gap, although their effectiveness fell short compared to AI support. Additionally, the results indicated that hybrid human-AI approaches, integrating AI assistance with self-regulated strategies (SAI), did not surpass the efficacy of AI assistance alone. In our conclusion, we delve into the broader implications, benefits, and challenges associated with relying on AI assistance concerning student agency in a world where our interactions with AI are integral to our learning, living, and working experiences.

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Structured Guidance & experimentation is Crucial

Working well with AI requires attention and patience. It is best to use it regularly and thus practice and experiment. Mastering the art of "effective communication with AI" comes with many advantages and can categorize you as an innovator.

AI requires structured instructions (like a student). If you don't input the prompt in a structured manner, AI will provide a chaotic, unstructured response in which you can get lost. Structured prompting doesn't produce perfect results, but it can significantly positively impact the quality of AI's output. Don't forget that AI needs you! You are the source of the context, instructions, details, and input that AI needs to produce its best possible work.

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Key Takeaways

• Structured prompts don't yield perfect results but can have a significant positive impact on the quality of AI's output.
• Think of AI as an apprentice. Assume it knows nothing. Give very clear instructions on what to do, how to do it, and in what sequence. If there are common errors you're trying to avoid, tell it what it must NOT do as well as what it must do.
• AI needs you! You are the source of the context, instructions, details, and input that AI needs to produce its best possible work.

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Example

How to Use Structured Prompting to Optimize Output:

A helpful framework to get you started is CIDI framework

• Context: Define the role and purpose of AI.
• Instructions: Provide step-by-step tasks.
• Details: Set parameters eg for each learning goal:

? 1. Project-based: Tasks should be project-oriented.

? 2. Increase in complexity from simple to complex.

? 3. Focus on the learner, starting with "You will do XYZ."

? 4. Motivate the learner by stating the reason, e.g., "You will do XYZ so that you can [something of real value for my learner]."

? 5. All achievable within 3 hours.

• Input: Include relevant data or documents.

1.????? LEARNER: Students taking an entrepreneurship course. This course is an honors program, extra curriculum.

2.????? TOPIC: Market Research.

3.????? GOAL: Obtain sufficient insights into the market to have a clear understanding (customers, suppliers, and competition). These insights serve as a foundation for the business plan.

4.????? ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development): No prior experience. The learner's goal is to gain basic knowledge and achieve some basic application.

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Here's the result:

Learning goals for students in the Entrepreneurship course related to the topic of Market Research:

1. Project-Based Work:

• You will initiate a project actively involving tasks such as gathering data on customers, suppliers, and competitors.
• You will identify and take concrete steps to conduct an effective market analysis as a foundation for future business decisions.

2. Increasing Complexity:

• You will start by understanding basic concepts of market research and gradually apply them to more complex scenarios.
• You will escalate the complexity of your market research in line with your ZPD, becoming familiar with advanced market analysis techniques step by step.

?3. Student-Centric Focus:

• You will connect your personal entrepreneurship goals with the market analysis to establish direct relevance for you as a student-entrepreneur.

?4. Motivation through Reasoning:

• You will comprehend and emphasize the reasons behind each step in market research, for instance: "You will conduct a competitor analysis so that you can determine your future company's position in the market."
• You will understand and communicate the value of in-depth market research, aiming to develop a robust business plan.

?5. Achievable within 3 Hours:

• You will learn to prioritize and efficiently utilize the available time to gain valuable insights applicable to the business plan.

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These learning goals are designed to actively engage students in the market research process, emphasizing practical application, gradual complexity growth, and direct relevance to their entrepreneurial goals.

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Conclusion

Advocating for the strategic and intentional use of AI in education, the emphasis is on structured prompting as a linchpin for success. Whether from the teacher's perspective in content creation or the student's realm in leveraging AI for assignments, it underscores the need for clear and specific instructions to unlock the full potential of AI in education.

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