Practicum Log #5: Generative AI (Continued)

I watched this YouTube series on how AI works and how to use it in the classroom. It provided practical tools for AI policies and for using AI effectively.

Friday, June 7, 2024 from 12:00-4:00 PM

Today, as assigned by my supervisor, Emily Thorpe, I spent more time studying and researching how Generative AI works, how educators can use it effectively, and how students can also use it. Generative AI is a continually evolving field of study, and it seems to be evolving even faster than anyone can keep up with. This LibGuide produced by the Southwestern Research and Instruction Librarians offers an extensive overview of the world of Generative AI. By spending time researching and studying this, I hope to create a mini lesson for use in information literacy instruction for college undergraduates, but it will also help me plan for my writing instruction in my day job as a middle school teacher. I want to show students how to use these generative AI tools without fear and show them how to use the tools to make their work better and not replace their work.

I watched this web series from Wharton University of Pennsylvania and learned how to prompt AI, how to teach others to prompt AI, how to use AI as a teacher, and how students can learn to use AI effectively. For prompts, AI needs context, clear instructions, and examples and steps. Humans need to learn how to interact with the AI and push back when it’s wrong. Effective AI use takes multiple attempts with prompts, multiple attempts with experiments, and multiple chances at feedback. For classroom use, teachers can use AI to help with explanations and analogies, low stakes tests (i.e. reading quizzes), and formative assessment and retrieval practices. Teachers can use AI guidelines and frameworks in their classroom set up in order to embrace AI’s capabilities instead of only preventing cheating. I’m especially intrigued at students using AI as a tutor in a flipped classroom setting.

Full Schedule: l will be working 10:00-2:00 from May 28th to June 7th, M-F online. (The campus is undergoing some construction right now and all of the librarians are working from home.)

Then, from June 10 - July 19th, I will be working 1:00-5:00 on campus at Southwestern University. I will more than likely finish by July 12th, but I'm adding a week for wiggle room. This should lead to 128 hours.