My workshop dealt with how we can make our students use AI less when it's so tempting and readily available. We can either redesign class and homework activities or opt for meaningful AI integration.
The ChatGPT option to share things like debating is an excellent springboard to (ELT) educators. I'll extend these. (Do I need to reshare the links or do you receive notifications for any updates?) https://chatgpt.com/share/69fe0bde-f958-83ea-96cd-e1124f9b407d
Thanks so much for sharing these brilliant ideas! I'd have loved to attend your talk.
I'm curious if you've heard any pushback from in-service teachers about "gamification" or pandering to students' shortening attention spans.
Lately, I've been considering how we, as teachers in general, may have been unknowingly contributing to the behaviors that drive our students to reach for the bag of chips rather than prepare the healthy meal. I know that I've reached for edutainment techniques with my younger learners as a way to keep them "engaged" and "on-task" but I wonder if that hasn't reinforced the mindset that learning should be painless and fun... ALL THE TIME (and of course if it isn't, that's because they have a bad teacher 😓).
Over the long term this means they don't develop the ability to be comfortable with ambiguity, learn from mistakes or sit with difficult concepts.
I absolutely use AI, and recognize that it has so much pedagogical potential, but I wonder if the use of AI isn't the real question. For me, it's more "how can we help our students develop their capacity and intrinsic motivation to LEARN". The way they'd approach using AI might then be different.
That’s a really good point, Christina, thanks for raising it! I completely agree with you and that’s what I’m trying to emphasize in my workshops as well: that essentially it’s all about learning and trying to find the best way to integrate it in the learning process. I believe we should aim at meaningful integration because complete dismissal and denial would either make students want to use it more or we’re failing them at preparing them for its safe and responsible use.
Regarding your point about reinforcing the idea that learning should be painless and fun… I’m not sure - I don’t think it should be fun all the time but it definitely shouldn’t be painful and overwhelming and non-fun, if you know what I mean :)
I completely agree on meaningful integration. AI offers so much potential when it’s used in a learning-centered approach.
Of course I agree learning shouldn’t be a slog, but I’ve been trying to shift my practice slightly towards helping younger students delay gratification, because learning itself is rewarding.
I wrote something about this a while ago, if you’re interested.
The ChatGPT option to share things like debating is an excellent springboard to (ELT) educators. I'll extend these. (Do I need to reshare the links or do you receive notifications for any updates?) https://chatgpt.com/share/69fe0bde-f958-83ea-96cd-e1124f9b407d
(again, my suggestion) it's best to say "we can HAVE our students use AI" (rather than MAKE)
Thanks so much for sharing these brilliant ideas! I'd have loved to attend your talk.
I'm curious if you've heard any pushback from in-service teachers about "gamification" or pandering to students' shortening attention spans.
Lately, I've been considering how we, as teachers in general, may have been unknowingly contributing to the behaviors that drive our students to reach for the bag of chips rather than prepare the healthy meal. I know that I've reached for edutainment techniques with my younger learners as a way to keep them "engaged" and "on-task" but I wonder if that hasn't reinforced the mindset that learning should be painless and fun... ALL THE TIME (and of course if it isn't, that's because they have a bad teacher 😓).
Over the long term this means they don't develop the ability to be comfortable with ambiguity, learn from mistakes or sit with difficult concepts.
I absolutely use AI, and recognize that it has so much pedagogical potential, but I wonder if the use of AI isn't the real question. For me, it's more "how can we help our students develop their capacity and intrinsic motivation to LEARN". The way they'd approach using AI might then be different.
That’s a really good point, Christina, thanks for raising it! I completely agree with you and that’s what I’m trying to emphasize in my workshops as well: that essentially it’s all about learning and trying to find the best way to integrate it in the learning process. I believe we should aim at meaningful integration because complete dismissal and denial would either make students want to use it more or we’re failing them at preparing them for its safe and responsible use.
Regarding your point about reinforcing the idea that learning should be painless and fun… I’m not sure - I don’t think it should be fun all the time but it definitely shouldn’t be painful and overwhelming and non-fun, if you know what I mean :)
I completely agree on meaningful integration. AI offers so much potential when it’s used in a learning-centered approach.
Of course I agree learning shouldn’t be a slog, but I’ve been trying to shift my practice slightly towards helping younger students delay gratification, because learning itself is rewarding.
I wrote something about this a while ago, if you’re interested.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
https://lovetolingo1.substack.com/p/becoming-a-good-language-learner?r=4siexb