ChatGPT AI in the Classroom

 
For the past several months the technology world has been abuzz with Artificial Intelligence with the introduction of ChatGPT. Many educators are beginning to learn more about it as usage has grown by peers, students, and the general public. 

One resource helping to better understand the reaches of ChatGPT is a slide deck created by Jessica Adams, Leslie Brophy, Jackie Ediger, Lynne Herr & Nicole Zumpano.  The compilation of resources on this slide deck range from answering questions about chatbots to curriculum impact, and how educators use them in the classroom.  In addition, the slide deck contains articles, videos, and podcasts all about what ChatGPT is.  Check it out by clicking HERE.

Lastly, check out the discussion that host, Matt Miller, from Ditch this Textbook had during the 2022 Ditched Summit, where they discuss the future of education and what it will look like with artificial intelligence. You can view it by clicking HERE

ChatGPT website - click HERE

Legends of Learning: Online Educational Games

Legends of Learning is online educational games for teachers and students.  It is aligned for math and science curriculums while using creative and engaging blended learning methods.  It is game based playing which students today are very familiar with. Students are learning concepts, challenging themselves, while having fun on this interactive game based program.  The video below highlights more about it. 

As you explore this program, also look at the lower level games with the same concept.  As we know, there are times when material at a lower level actually explains concepts better then at a higher level, because there is an assumption of prior knowledge.  I would encourage you to look through all the grade levels and find games which will enhance student engagement while learning the concept.   

Once you select a grade level you can browse their topics which are aligned to standards within that content area. Science is aligned to NGSS standards, while Math is aligned to Common Core (Check your Settings). Once you select a standard, games will populate which relate to the standard chosen. Hover over the game to learn more about it, watch the video, click More Info, which will bring up the difficulty level, Lexile Level, and Curriculum information. You can also select TRY GAME to test out the game before you assign to students.  Below is a great video on how to get started setting up your first assignment and assign it out to students.  

Vernaculars as Adjectives

While I was browsing my blogs this week, I came across a post from Richard Byrne, on Learning Lessons about Languages and the Mysteries of Vernaculars.  As I watched the TedEd video I realized I didn't know where some of these words we use today came from.  So, I started watching the TedEd video series and as with all videos got sucked right in.  As you are talking about adjectives, using these videos to show how our language has developed over time may be interesting to you and your students. 

Take a look at the blog post Learning Lessons about Languages and the Mysteries of Vernaculars, as to how this post came about.  It's wickedly good!

February Instructional Technology Update

I cannot believe January has already come and gone. This year is flying by so we are starting the 2023 year with the February Instructional Tech Update where you will find lots of great information! 

• Unit 5 started a podcast series called Inside Unit #5 for our community to listen to which is linked. This is hosted by our very own teachers in Unit 5.
• IC Updates:  There have been lots of questions on score copier, so that is  included.
• Black History Month is the whole month of February, so there are lots of instructional resources for this month you can use. 
• Canva - Canva's premium is available to all teachers and students in education.  All you have to do is register your education account.  The instructions are included, as well as an activity for you to create your own Canva banner for Google Classroom.  
• Phet Simulations have been around for a while, but they have been transitioning these to HTML 5 over the last several years.  Check this resource out there is lots to find here!  

Black History Month

Black History Month or African-American History Month is February,  this observance originated in the United States and is now observed in Canada, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.  It started out as Negro History Week in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the 2nd week of February to be Negro History Week.   This week was originally selected because on February 12 Abraham Lincoln and February 14 Fredrick Douglas were both born.  From there the first proposal for Black History Month was proposed by BLACK EDUCATORS and the Black United Students at Kent State University in 1969 and in 1970 Kent State was the first to celebrate!  Go Educators!!  Six Years later, Black History Month was being celebrated across the country when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month.   

NearPod: There are lessons for Black History Month K-12 in this library they have.  Remember to start in the Nearpod Library and check out their Featured section.  It always has relevant information for holidays and current events.   

EdPuzzle: EdPuzzle has a library of EdPuzzle Originals.  Take a look and select Holidays and Events.  There you will find all kinds of holiday resources.  Scroll down to the bottom and you will find Heritage, History, and Awareness Collections.  This is where you will locate the resources for Black History Month.

Discovery Education: Has an entire channel dedicated to Black History.  As with any DE resource, you can watch a full video or look up the segments to bring in parts of it which correlate to your curriculum.  There are also many activities and interactive resources for students.  

Swank K-12 Streaming:  When looking in Swank for Black History Movies, you will need to filter by Subject & Themes, then Black History/African American.  Once you do that, you will be able to see all the resources available and if it is not in our library, you will be able to request.   See your Librarian to get the login for Swank as it is different from just going to Swank online. 

Scholastic Journals:  Paid Subscriptions  

• Junior Scholastic - The Secrets of Their Success:  Follow Four Black Leaders and how they used their business skills to change lives. 
• Scholastic Scope - Into the Poison Cloud - Recounts the life of Garrett Morgan, whose inventions have saved countless lives.   This is a paired text with multiple reading levels and comes with a lesson plan and lots of resources which can be downloaded in Google Docs/slides/forms. 
• Science World - This journal has an entire section of Celebrating Black Scientists! Check out these spotlight resources, such as John Urschel - who left pro football to become a Mathematician.  There are several resources to choose from so take your pick. 

Other Resources:

• Amanda Mleczko Niaves created this slidedeck so she could share one slide each day with her students.  Take a look to see if it is something you could share with your students.  Make a copy, add to it to your drive then make it your own! Post from Bitmoji Craze Educators.
• Vicki Tseng- Found this incredible library for Black History Month and changed most of the videos to links to play automatically without ads!  Original Creator Christine Fleeman curated this library.  Thanks to both! Make a copy, add to it to your drive then make it your own! Post from Bitmoji Craze Educators.
• Janelle Luna - Created this resource to support the efforts of educators wanting to go deeper and broader in their Black History Month Experience. Make a copy, add to it to your drive then make it your own! Post from Bitmoji Craze Educators
• Kim Jansen created this slidedeck which highlights African American Leaders with a slide for videos, books and a Spanish version.  Make a copy, add to it to your drive then make it your own!   Post from Bitmoji Craze Educators
• Sarah Renae created this slidedeck with videos which explain the struggles African Americans encountered.  Watch the videos before showing to class as some may be disturbing for younger students.  As always, you know your students and maturity level.  Make a copy, add to it to your drive then make it your own! Post from Bitmoji Craze Educators
• NPR - Series on Black History Month 2023
• We are Teachers - 34 Black History Month Activities for February and Beyond
• C-SPANCLASSROOM - Black History and Civil Rights

YouTube Videos for elementary students:

• Black History Month for Kids - YouTube
• Scholastic Storyworks - Can Kids Change the World? 
• 88brains - Black Scientists and Inventors
• CBeebies Black History Heroes
• Rosa Parks Story

Use, don't use, up to you!  But, now you know.....