What is GAI?

Generative Artificial Intelligence, like ChatGPT, Dall-E, etc., is artificial intelligence that creates a variety of content. While there are various models these might be based on, the popular ChatGPT is based on what’s called a Large Language Model (LLM). This means that the AI was trained on a large collection of text in order to help it predict what should be generated. In terms of writing, that means that the AI is predicting what the next word might be.

In this class, we’ll be using the GAI tools in PowerNotes. These are called Brainstorm and Discovery.

In-person (1h15 minute class period)

0:00-0:05/0:10 -ish - Attendance, settling in

0:05/0:10-0:20 - What is GAI in terms of writing? What experiences do you have with AI? Discussion

• Open with question: What do you think GAI is? What do you think it does? What are your experiences with it?
  • Could use something like Slido to get the conversation started
• Spend a few minutes letting students share what they think it is.
  • If nobody responds, jump right into what it is (see below for resources)
  • If students respond and don’t know what it is, acknowledge and redirect to correct (see below for resources).
  • If students respond and have a good idea; decide on the spot whether or not you need to share the resources in class. You could post to the LMS.
• What does GAI do Resources:
  • Understanding ChatGPT Through Metaphors - by Anuj Gupta
  • Large Language Models from Scratch - by Steve Seitz

0:20-1:00 - Testing out the AI together

• Assumes a connected classroom. If you don’t have a connected classroom, please see the suggestions for unconnected classrooms. If you are teaching online, please see the asynchronous online activity.

Pull up the PowerNotes Brainstorm with AI tool.

https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/UVVmF0SAd62rXzCHaxVXouGawPnlOONT_AUduv6DNQwPx9UVfBL4N-zau9US8IDq_ts5qeyQSq1s8_Udw4fdfwOUsAaJ3lgo_GAdMLNVHp3Yg5Z-I1s7ytXdDRILczng2fqTIxXsr6nD62_BKFcRMks

Emphasize that you’re, as a class, playing with this.

1. Do some open prompting with your students. You could do this one of three ways:
   1. Ask students for prompts.
   2. Come prepared with prompts relevant to the content of the course. The AI doesn’t have to be the content of the class; it can be a tool you explore together. This could be asking it for topic ideas or straight up asking it to write something in response to an activity you’re going to assign. Remember this isn’t about prompt engineering. It’s about playing.
   3. Use one of the following:
      1. How can I use AI in the classroom?
      2. Act as a college writing professor and give me 5 suggestions for my research paper topic.
2. Ask students to bring in a short, low-stakes assignment they’ve already written for you (this could be reflective writing, a discussion board, in class writing, it doesn’t matter). During class, have the AI respond to the same prompt. Ask students to compare to their own and share the differences and similarities.
3. Bring a piece of text that you plan to assign students to read or have already assigned and ask the AI to:
   1. Summarize it
   2. Rewrite it at X reading level
   3. Give it a second one and ask it to compare and contrast the two pieces

1:00-1:10 - Asking students what they think

Spend some time asking students what they think about AI. If it’s typically a quiet class, you can have them write reflections first.

1:10-1:15 -Wrap up