We ask Chat GPT to tell us what it can do for teachers

Chat GPT this, Chat GPT that – had enough yet? At first, I thought that it would be a fad that would have no useful purpose. And then I had a go. I signed up for a free account on openai.com and started asking it questions (prompts) about what this week’s lottery numbers would be – sadly unhelpful.

I wondered if it could provide practical assistance to teachers and thought who better to ask than Chat GPT itself. So what follows is Chat GPT answering my questions about itself and being guided towards telling us how to use it on a practical level in a primary classroom. The beauty of Chat GPT is that it develops from what you ask it, so the more specific the question (prompt) the more tailored the answer becomes.

Prompt: Could you, as the Chat GPT expert, write an article for a teacher’s union publication that extols the virtues of the uses of Chat GPT in primary schools?

Answer: Chat GPT: A powerful tool for primary school teachers

In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence in education has been a topic of interest for educators worldwide. One of the most promising applications of this technology is the use of chatbots in primary schools. Chat GPT, a large language model based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, is a great example of how chatbots can help teachers in primary schools to create a more engaging and interactive learning experience for their students.

At its core, Chat GPT is a language processing tool that uses machine learning algorithms to understand natural language input and generate responses. This technology can be used in a variety of ways to support primary school teachers in the classroom. In this article, we will explore some of the key benefits of using Chat GPT in primary schools.

1. Personalised learning

One of the key benefits of using Chat GPT in primary schools is that it allows for personalised learning. With this technology, teachers can create a chatbot that is tailored to the individual needs of each student. The chatbot can be programmed to ask questions, provide feedback, and offer additional resources based on each student’s level of understanding. This personalised approach can help students to stay engaged and motivated and can also help teachers to identify areas where students may need additional support.

2. Enhanced student engagement

Another benefit of using Chat GPT in primary schools is that it can help to enhance student engagement. Chatbots are a familiar and popular technology among young people, and they are often more comfortable communicating with chatbots than with adults. By incorporating chatbots into the classroom, teachers can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment that can help to increase student participation and interest in the subject matter.

Prompt: Could you give specific real examples of the five key benefits you have highlighted?

Answer: Certainly! Here are some specific examples of how Chat GPT can provide the five key benefits I mentioned in the previous article:

1. Personalised Learning

Imagine a primary school teacher who is teaching a lesson on fractions. Some students may find this topic easy, while others may struggle to understand the concept. By creating a Chat GPT chatbot, the teacher can provide personalized learning opportunities for each student. For example, the chatbot can ask questions tailored to each student’s level of understanding, provide extra practice problems for students who need more support, or offer additional resources for students who want to explore the topic in greater depth.

2. Enhanced student engagement

In a science class, a teacher can use Chat GPT to create a chatbot that engages students in a conversation about a particular topic. For example, the chatbot can ask students to share their thoughts and ideas about a scientific concept, or prompt them to ask questions about a topic they are curious about. By using this technology, teachers can make learning more interactive and engaging, which can help to increase student participation and interest in the subject matter.

Prompt: In the maths example 1 above - could you show me how that might look?
Answer: Sure, here’s an example of how a Chat GPT chatbot could be used to provide personalised learning in a primary school maths lesson:
Teacher: “Good morning class, today we’ll be learning about fractions. I’ve created a chatbot that will help you practice what we’re learning today. Please take out your devices and log into the chatbot.”
Students log into the chatbot and are greeted by a message from the chatbot.
Chatbot: “Hello! Let’s practice fractions. Are you ready?”
Student 1: “Yes”
Chatbot: “Great! Let’s start with a simple question. What is 1/2 + 1/4?”
Student 1: “I’m not sure.”
Chatbot: “That’s okay. Let me break it down for you. First, we need to find a common denominator. What is the least common multiple of 2 and 4?”
Student 1: “4”
Chatbot: “Right. So we need to convert 1/2 to an equivalent fraction with 4 as the denominator. What is 1/2 as a fraction with a denominator of 4?”
Student 1: “2/4”
Chatbot: “That’s right. And what is 1/4 as a fraction with a denominator of 4?”
Student 1: “1/4”
Chatbot: “Good job! Now we can add the fractions. What is 2/4 + 1/4?”
Student 1: “3/4”
Chatbot: “Fantastic! You got it. Let’s try another one. What is 3/4 - 1/4?”
Student 1: “2/4”
Chatbot: “Great job! Now let’s move on to some harder questions.”

The chatbot continues to provide personalised questions based on the student’s level of understanding, providing extra support for those who need it and challenging those who are ready to move on to more advanced material.

Prompt: Wow! That is amazing. Thank you Chat GPT.

Answer: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could provide you with an example of how Chat GPT could be used in a primary school maths lesson. If you have any more questions or would like to see examples of how Chat GPT could be used in other subjects or contexts, feel free to ask!

Human being writes: I think we can agree that we are not winning any Nobel prizes here, but the information Chat GPT gives are clear and precise and it can come up with some straightforward practical lesson ideas. The skill in getting the most out of it is how skilful you are at prompting it.

Now it is your turn – create an account on openai.com and see what you get.

Chat GPT (with some help from Josef Dabbs)
Organiser