The AI-Pedagogy Cycle (your “why → how → what” workflow)
-
Purpose — Why do I want AI in my classroom? What learning goals does it unlock that I can’t do (or can’t do as well) without it?
-
Teacher AI Literacy — Understand AI’s strengths/limits, safe use, and where it fits (and doesn’t) in your context.
-
Vetting & Selection — Use a tool-evaluation checklist (privacy, accuracy, transparency, accessibility, cost, fit-to-goals).
-
Shared Agreement — Co-create AI norms with students: when it’s allowed, how to cite/use it, and how to verify/reflect.
-
Iterate — Review what worked, adjust prompts/activities, and update your agreement & rubric together.
This cycle keeps practice grounded in pedagogy—not hype.
10 Creative, Classroom-Ready AI Activities
(each includes a quick start + a copy-prompt.)
-
AI Read-Alouds for Access & Fluency
Try with: ChatGPT → script; ElevenLabs → natural audio.
Steps: draft a short script; generate voice; share as listen-along support.
Copy-Prompt
-
Step-by-Step Tutorials (How-To Cards or Short Videos)
Try with: ChatGPT → outline; Canva or Riverside → visuals/record.
Copy-Prompt
-
Rubric Builder (with Student-Facing Criteria)
Try with: ChatGPT → analytic rubric; Canva → layout.
Copy-Prompt
-
Question-Driven Mini-Games
Try with: ChatGPT → questions/storylines; Canva or Scratch → game shell.
Copy-Prompt
-
Concept Visuals & Anchor Charts
Try with: ChatGPT → scene/visual spec; image tool (e.g., Midjourney) → illustration.
Copy-Prompt
-
Interactive Lessons & Checks for Understanding
Try with: ChatGPT → content & quiz items; Genially → interactivity.
Copy-Prompt
-
AI-Powered Digital Storytelling
Try with: ChatGPT → narrative planning; Canva/Adobe Express → story panels; optional TTS.
Copy-Prompt
-
Search Smarter: ChatGPT vs. Google Side-by-Side
Students investigate how answers differ (sources, bias, depth), then reflect.
Copy-Prompt (for the reflection sheet)
-
Bias Check & Evidence Audit
Have students critique an AI answer, locate missing perspectives, and verify facts.
Copy-Prompt
-
Socratic Seminar with AI as a Thinking Partner
Use AI to surface counter-arguments and discussion questions, then students lead.
Copy-Prompt
Tool Vetting: A Simple Evaluation Checklist
Use (and share with students) a rubric that looks at:
-
Learning Alignment (clear objective, measurable outcome)
-
Accuracy/Transparency (cites sources, timestamps, explains limits)
-
Privacy/Safety (no PII; data policy; FERPA-friendly options)
-
Accessibility/UDL (captions/alt-text/keyboard nav; multilingual)
-
Equity/Cost/Access (free tier? device constraints? offline options)
-
Teacher Control (classroom mode, export options, audit trail)
Copy-Prompt (make your rubric fast)
Co-Create an AI Classroom “Shared Agreement”
-
When we may use AI (brainstorming, drafts, feedback, translation, accessibility)
-
What we must do (cite AI use, verify facts, reflect on changes)
-
What we never do (submit raw AI output; share PII; plagiarize)
-
How we reflect (metacognitive exit tickets on where AI helped/hurt)
-
How we improve (revise prompts, record lessons learned, iterate monthly)
This reframes AI as a cognitive partner and supports responsible, critical use.
Copy-Prompt (draft the agreement)