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Box Yourself Up: The Toy Figure Trend and More AI Fun

by Sara Qualls
written by Sara Qualls

Let’s be real: between grading, meetings-that-could’ve-been-emails, and keeping approximately 47 tabs open (in your brain and your browser), your creative tank might be running a little low. That’s where trending art prompts and ChatGPT come in—not for your students, not for your school—but just for you. Think of it as your brain’s recess.

You’ve probably seen the viral toy figure trend popping up in your feed—teachers, librarians, moms, even pets, turned into action figures with their own accessories. Ever wondered how people are doing that? Surprise: it’s not magic, it’s ChatGPT. Whether you want to see yourself as a 90s cartoon hero, a fantasy book character, or yes, an action figure with your favorite snacks in a blister pack—it’s silly, visual, low-stakes fun. And guess what? You totally deserve that break.

What is an AI Prompt?

First things first, let’s get the basics out of the way just in case you’ve never taken an AI tool out for a spin. An AI prompt is like chatting with a friend—if your best friend were a wildly talented, lightning-fast robot. Basically, it’s a set of instructions you give to an AI so it knows what to create for you.

You’re using words to guide the AI in designing something specific, whether it’s writing a poem, generating an image, or imagining your dog as royalty (true story, see below). Prompts can be super simple or wildly detailed, but the best ones strike a balance. They are clear, descriptive, and just specific enough to get exactly what you want.

For example, instead of just typing “dog,” you might say: An Anatolian shepherd dog with white fur sitting regally on a velvet throne, pop art style.

See? It’s like giving creative directions. The more details you give, the more magic you get.

An anatolian shepherd dog siting on throne in pop art style

The Basic Formula for Writing an Art AI Prompt

Writing an art prompt is kind of like ordering your favorite Starbucks drink. The more specific you are, the better the results. (Mine’s an iced caramel macchiato, in case you’re curious.) So, I thought who better to ask what the secret recipe to a good prompt was than none other than the source. I sat down with my friend, ChatGPT, and asked what exactly was that secret recipe to creating a good AI art. And it gave me this basic formula.

[Subject] + [Appearance or Style] + [Setting or Background] + [Mood or Vibe] + [Art Style]

Let’s break it down:

  • Subject: What are we looking at? A dog? A librarian? You in your velour tracksuit era?
  • Appearance or Style: Add a few details. Think color, outfit, accessories, expression.
  • Setting or Background: Where is this taking place? A field of sunflowers? A velvet throne?
  • Mood or Vibe: What kind of feeling should the image have? Peaceful, whimsical, totally chaotic?
  • Art Style: This is the fun part. Choose a style like, pop art, 90s cartoon, or Pixar.

Getting all of those layers right makes all the difference.

How Long Should an Art Prompt Be?

Think Goldilocks. You want your prompt not too short, not too long—just right.

A good art prompt is usually 1–3 sentences. That’s enough space to describe what you want in clear, specific terms without overwhelming the AI with a wall of text. It’s like ordering that iced caramel macchiato: you don’t just say “coffee,” but you also don’t recite your full coffee origin story (mine starts in Seattle).

Start with the subject, add a few key details, and finish with the art style. If it feels like you’re rambling, you probably are. If it feels like a Pinterest board in a sentence? You nailed it.

  • Too short: A dog
  • Too long: A large white dog named Penelope sitting on a throne in a magical world where stars are raining down and everything is made of marshmallows and also there’s a squirrel reading a book and the dog is wearing a crown and… wait what were we doing?
  • Just right: A white Anatolian shepherd sitting regally on a velvet throne, surrounded by neon shapes, pop art style.

What to Do If Your AI Image Comes Out Weird

Sometimes the AI delivers exactly what you imagined. Other times… it gives your dog five legs and puts you in a Victorian ball gown you did not ask for. Don’t panic. It just means your prompt needs a little tuning. 

  • Too vague? Add more detail. “A teacher in a classroom” is fine, but “A teacher in a colorful elementary classroom, wearing glasses and a cardigan, Pixar-style” gives the AI something to work with.
  • Too detailed? Yep, that’s a thing. If you throw 15 ideas into one sentence, the AI will either ignore some or mash them all together in ways that make zero sense. Less can be more!
  • Wrong style? Be more specific. Instead of just saying “cartoon,” say “90s cartoon like Doug or Rugrats.” The more visual the reference, the better.
  • Didn’t include a key detail? Just tweak and resubmit. Want your glasses to be pale teal? Add that. Want a sunflower field instead of a throne? Easy fix.

Basically, just try again, and have fun with the process. Sometimes the AI gets weird. And honestly, some of the results can be downright hilarious.

Turn Your Selfie Into Something Awesome

Ready to see yourself as an action figure? Or on a movie poster? This is your permission slip to play. Pick a prompt, upload a photo, and let ChatGPT do its thing—you might just surprise yourself.

How to use it:

  1. Upload a photo of yourself.
  2. Copy and paste the prompt below into ChatGPT and hit enter.
  3. Wait for the magic.

Hop Onto the Toy Figure Trend(Blister Packs and All)

Ever looked at those custom action figure posts and thought, “How did they do that?” Time to fix that. This prompt is pure fun—perfect for a creativity break, a new profile pic, or just proving to the world that your life absolutely deserves to be on a collector’s shelf. Because every educator deserves their own action figure. Bonus points for including your sidekick dog.

For this first trend, I’ll show you the exact prompt I ended up with after going back and forth with it one night for an hour and realizing I needed to be more detailed. Now that I’ve done the hard work for you, hopefully you won’t have as much back and forth as I did.

The Prompt I Used:
You are an amazing graphic designer. You are going to take an image of me and create a toy of the person in the photo. Let it be an action figure. The toy figure should be wearing a vintage jean jacket, white top, and a floral long skirt. Next to the figure, there should be the toy’s equipment, each in its individual blisters. 1) a white-cream-gray Anatolian shepherd 2) a MacBook with Airpods. On the screen should be the Dateline logo 3) Peonies, garden shears, and a puzzle piece. Don’t repeat the equipment under any circumstance. The card holding the blister should be a strong purple. Also, on top of the box, write ‘Sara Marie’ and underneath it, ‘Marketing by Day, True Crime by Night. The figure and equipment must all be inside blisters. Visualize this in a realistic way.

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are an amazing graphic designer. You are going to take an image of me and create a toy of the person in the photo. Let it be an action figure. It should be wearing [insert outfit here]. Next to the figure, there should be the toy’s equipment, each in its individual blisters:

  1. [insert companion, pet, or sidekick]
  2. [insert tech item and detail what’s on the screen]
  3. [insert a set of three personal items—think hobbies, favorites, or daily essentials]

Don’t repeat the equipment under any circumstance. The card holding the blister should be [insert favorite color or aesthetic vibe]. On top of the box, write ‘[Your Name]’ and underneath it, ‘[Day Persona] by Day, [Alter Ego or Passion] by Night.’ The figure and all equipment must be inside blisters. Visualize this in a realistic way.

Don’t like the results it returned? Just go back and forth with it giving it directions.  

Barbie-fy (or Ken-ify) Yourself

Sticking with the toy figure trend, I kept seeing these Barbie action figure portraits in my feed—bright, playful, and totally tailored to the person in the photo. So I did some digging and yep, there’s a prompt for that. The original one I found was pretty bare bones, so I gave it a little glow-up. Whether you’re a “Caffeine-Fueled Librarian Barbie,” “STEM Barbie,” or “Principal of Positivity Ken,” this one is all about celebrating your brand of fabulous. Prepare for that hot pink magic.

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are a toy designer at a top global brand. Develop a realistic action figure (Barbie doll) of the person in this photo. The doll should be wearing [insert outfit style—professional, casual, glam, etc.]. The doll should come with accessories that represent their lifestyle or personality, such as [insert 3–4 items like a laptop, coffee cup, gardening tools, etc.]. The packaging should be a Barbie doll box. The package should include their name: “[Insert Your Name]” and title: “[Insert fun Barbie edition title, like ‘Data-Driven Ken’ or ‘Teacher Librarian Barbie’].” Style the doll and box in a playful, polished, and Instagram-worthy aesthetic.

Step Into a Softly Drawn Anime World

Confession: I’m not exactly a Studio Ghibli expert. I didn’t grow up on Spirited Away or Totoro, and I couldn’t tell you the plot of Howl’s Moving Castle if I tried. (Yes, I had to look all those up.) But while digging through trending ChatGPT prompts, this one kept showing up and once I saw the dreamy, hand-drawn style, I got the hype. The portraits are peaceful, nostalgic, and full of cozy magic. It’s the perfect way to see yourself in a whole new animated light.

The Prompt You Can Use:
You are one of the top animators in Japanese animation. Turn this image into a Studio Ghibli-style animated portrait. Use a soft color palette, a whimsical background, and facial features inspired by Ghibli characters. Style it like a scene from My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away. The final image should feel peaceful, magical, and hand-drawn.

Customize It: Change the background to something more personal—like a sunflower field, your favorite park, or even a cozy reading nook. You can also tweak the vibe: adventurous, dreamy, joyful, or introspective. The more specific you get, the more magical it becomes.

Most Likely to Make AI Art Look Cool

This trend is part nostalgia, part hilarity, and 100% worth your five-minute brain break. It’s a throwback to those awkward-glorious yearbook photos—but with better lighting, better clothes, and no braces. You can make it classic 90s, ultra-modern, or completely ridiculous (I once saw one with “Most Likely to Be Found Talking to the Laminator”). Whether you use it to prank a coworker or spotlight yourself as “Most Likely to Survive a Field Trip,” it’s low-effort, high-fun. Go ahead and drop this one into the group chat with zero context and see how they respond. 

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are a yearbook designer. Create a retro yearbook photo of the person in this image. Style it in [insert decade or theme—1990s, early 2000s, ultra-modern]. Include a fake quote underneath, something playful like “[Insert your fake quote here].” The final result should feel like it came out of a real yearbook, complete with a themed background of [insert your theme] and slightly cheesy flair.

The Movie Poster Version of You

Because let’s be honest—your life already feels like a movie half the time. This prompt is for the drama queens, the plot-twisters, and anyone who’s ever paused mid-chaos and thought, “Is this seriously my life right now?” It’s one of my favorite trends because it turns your photo into a legit movie poster—title, tagline, genre, and all. Bonus points if your sidekick is a stapler or your nemesis goes by “Budget Cuts.”

I had just finished watching The Residence on Netflix (I highly recommend, by the way) when inspiration struck. I added my co-worker Peggy to the mix, gave it a twist of mystery, a sprinkle of snacks, and voilà—cinematic brilliance.

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are a movie poster designer. Create a movie poster for the person in this photo. The movie is called “[Insert Your Movie Title].” The tagline is “[Insert dramatic or funny tagline].” The genre is [insert genre—action-comedy, rom-com, mystery, etc.]. Include visual elements that reflect this genre (e.g., lightning in the background, scattered books, glowing tech). The design should look like a real movie poster with bold fonts, cinematic lighting, and moody drama.

Customize It: Want a co-star? Add someone else’s photo to the prompt. Want to go totally off-script? Make the genre something wild like “educator time travel sci-fi” or “post-apocalyptic professional development.” 

Blockify Yourself (Minecraft Style)

With the Minecraft movie coming out, block-style everything is back in the spotlight—and it’s not just for students. This prompt lets you create a Minecraft-style avatar of yourself, your co-workers, or your dream school library (blocky bookshelves included). It’s weirdly adorable and sometimes you just want to see what you’d look like made of pixels.

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are a pixel artist for a Minecraft-style world. Create a Minecraft avatar based on this photo. The character should be wearing [insert outfit or style], holding [insert item—coffee mug, book, laptop], and standing in front of [insert Minecraft-style background—school, library, garden, etc.]. The style should match the pixelated, blocky look of Minecraft with bright, bold colors.

If My Job Were a Video Game

Because some days really do feel like a boss battle.

This prompt is one part nostalgia, one part reality check, and all creative gold. It imagines your work life as a video game—complete with a title, challenge levels, and some truly dramatic cover art. You’ll either laugh or cry (maybe both), but it’s the kind of prompt that’s fun to do solo or with your whole team.

The Prompt You Can Use:

You are a video game cover artist. Create a video game cover for the person in this image. The game is titled “[Insert Game Title],” and the theme is [insert genre—survival, puzzle, fantasy, etc.]. The main challenge in the game is [insert your work life chaos]. The cover should be dramatic, bold, and styled like a real video game box—retro 8-bit, realistic RPG, or modern gaming cover design.

Customize It:

Add a co-op partner (a.k.a. work bestie), power-ups (coffee, sticky notes, hallway passes), or an unbeatable boss (hello, email inbox).

Now It’s Your Turn

You don’t have to be an artist, designer, or tech wizard to have fun with AI-generated art—you just need a good prompt and a little imagination. Whether you turn yourself into a librarian Barbie, star in your own fake movie poster, or give your dog the pop art throne they clearly deserve, it’s all about playing around and seeing what you can create.

So go ahead—pick a prompt, upload a photo, and see what happens. And if you make something that makes you laugh, smile, or say “Okay, wait… this is actually amazing,” please, oh please, tag @TCEA so I can join in on that amazingness. We want to see your creations. And remember, there are always bonus points if it involves glitter or a dog. Happy creating! 

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AI/VRLibraries

What Would a Librarian Ask ChatGPT? Turns Out…A Lot.

by Sara Qualls
written by Sara Qualls

Before we dive in: These prompts are designed for librarians to use as time-saving tools for planning, brainstorming, or organizing—not for use with students. They’re here to help with the behind-the-scenes work, not replace the thoughtful, human-centered interaction that happens between librarians, teachers, and students.

If you’ve ever been asked, “Do you have that one book? It’s red. Or maybe green. There’s definitely a cat. And maybe a baseball?” Then you, my friend, are doing the wildly complex, often under appreciated, but always magical work of a school librarian. And, as so many librarians do, you could surely use an extra set of hands… Enter ChatGPT, librarian edition!

As AI tools like ChatGPT become more common in education, school librarians are asking the smart question: How can this actually help me? To find out, I scrolled through various librarian groups on social media, paying attention to the most common challenges and real-life questions being asked. I also read through job postings to see what librarians are actually expected to do (spoiler: it’s everything). These prompts are a direct result — designed to save you time, reduce your stress, and support the incredible work you’re already doing every day.

And because it’s School Library Month, let me say what so many deserve to hear:

If your admin forgot…

If you are quietly being lumped into Teacher Appreciation Week and handed a single mint with a punny note…

If no one sees just how much you do — I do.

You deserve tools that work as hard as you do, and that’s exactly what these prompts are here for. Yes, it’s a long one, but I couldn’t bear to leave the good stuff out. Even if you already use ChatGPT, maybe this will just spark a fresh idea for saving time, sanity, or both. And if you haven’t used it or just dabble in it, prepare to be amazed. These prompts are for your professional use behind the scenes—think lesson brainstorming, email drafting, resource organizing—not something to use directly with students.

Start Here: How to Use These Prompts Like a Pro

To get the best results from ChatGPT, you’ll want to set the scene first. That means telling the AI who it is and what role it’s playing. Think of it like setting the stage before the play starts. A simple line like:

 “You are a school librarian at a [grade level] campus. Your role includes [list a few duties]…”

gives ChatGPT the context it needs to deliver responses that actually make sense for your space, your schedule, and your students.

How to use these prompts:

Copy and paste the full prompt into ChatGPT. Wherever you see brackets [like this], just swap in your own info before sending. If a prompt mentions a file — like a book list or circulation report — you can upload that, too. Remember: Make sure to always double-check and verify any output before using it. AI is just the tool. You’re the expert.

Smart Support for the Many Hats Librarians Wear

1. Plan a Research Skills Lesson

Let’s be real: if a student ever hit you with “my uncle’s friend said it’s true on TikTok,” you already know this is a must-teach. Research skills aren’t just library standards — they’re modern survival skills. This prompt helps you plan a bite-sized, librarian-led lesson that gets students thinking before they link. File under librarian superpowers. You’re the one who gets to drop, “credible doesn’t always mean popular” — and watch the lightbulbs go off.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian at a [insert grade level] campus. One of your responsibilities is to teach students how to evaluate and use information effectively.

Help me create a mini-lesson plan I can use to teach [insert grade level] students how to spot reliable online sources using a mix of books and websites.

2. Collaborate with a Teacher

Note: This prompt isn’t meant to skip collaboration with teachers—it’s meant to support it. Use it after a planning conversation or even while you’re sitting down with a teacher to sketch out ideas.

You know that magical moment when a teacher walks into the library and says, “Hey, I was thinking…” and you actually get to plan something together? That’s the sweet spot. This prompt helps you kickstart a meaningful collaboration that blends curriculum, creativity, and your treasure trove of library resources — print, digital, and beyond. When the library and classroom team up, students win big.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian working with a [grade level] [subject] teacher to plan a collaborative lesson on [topic].

Help me brainstorm ideas for activities or resources I can bring to the table as the school librarian. These ideas should complement classroom instruction and reflect my role in co-teaching or supporting information literacy.

3. Share Curated Tech Tools with Teachers

You know that glazed-over look teachers get when someone mentions a new tech tool? Yeah, this prompt helps you avoid that entirely. As the go-to tech whisperer on campus, you’re in the perfect spot to spotlight tools that are actually helpful especially the ones you’ve tested and trust. Use this to draft a quick, friendly email that makes teachers feel supported, not overwhelmed. The hidden win: you look like the tech-savvy superhero who saves them time and levels up their lessons.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian who supports teachers by recommending technology tools that enhance teaching and learning.

Write a draft email I can send to teachers promoting 3 easy-to-use ed tech tools (like [insert example tools]) that I’ve personally explored or plan to pilot. Briefly explain what each tool does and how it benefits students. Make it friendly and helpful.

4. Build a Library Skills Catalog Presentation

There’s nothing quite like watching a student confidently march up to the shelves… only to realize they thought “fiction” was a location. Teaching students how to use the catalog isn’t just about search terms. It’s about giving them the superpower to find exactly what they’re looking for (and maybe something they weren’t). This prompt helps you create a quick, clear, and confidence-boosting intro to catalog skills — because independence looks great on young readers.

Sidenote: Using the paid version of ChatGPT? Buckle up — it can even help design a Canva presentation. If you’re using GPT-4 with tools enabled, it can:

  • Design a slide deck layout in Canva
  • Suggest visuals, icons, and layouts
  • Write the content for each slide
  • And if you connect ChatGPT to Canva (via a plugin or extension), it can build a presentation in Canva directly.

Technology is doing the most, and I am here for it. 

Prompt:

You are a school librarian responsible for helping students develop independent library skills.

Outline a short slide deck or script to teach [insert grade level] students how to use the library catalog. Include how to search by keyword, title, author, and genre, and how to locate books on the shelves using [insert shelving system].

Optional: Our library uses [insert your catalog system, e.g., Destiny Discover, Alexandria, etc.], and we [describe your shelving system if needed, e.g., use a genrefied layout].

5. Try a New Strategy for Student Behavior in the Library

Ah yes. Library time: where the books are quiet but the students are… not always. If you’ve ever tried to do a calm read-aloud while someone is army-crawling between beanbags, this prompt is for you. When your usual tricks aren’t landing and the energy is off the charts, it helps you brainstorm behavior strategies tailored to your specific students not just generic advice. Whether you’re dealing with chatty groups, shelf wanderers, or epic standoffs over the last Dog Man book, this gives you a plan to test out. The real win? Less time redirecting, more time reading.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian who leads library lessons and manages student behavior during independent reading, checkout, and group activities.

I have students that have [insert behavior concern]. They [insert specific problems—e.g., talk over each other, wander around, argue over books]. Plan a behavior management strategy for library class time with [insert grade level] that keeps them engaged and respectful while browsing.

6. Design a Bilingual Reading Challenge

There’s nothing better than watching a student light up when they see a book that reflects their world or opens a window into someone else’s. This prompt helps you brainstorm ideas for a bilingual reading challenge that invites students to explore diverse voices, build empathy, and fall in love with stories across languages and cultures. Whether it’s a school-wide celebration or a quiet bulletin board moment, it’s where representation meets reading motivation. Bonus: it’s also the perfect excuse to break out the flags, stickers, and glitter pens.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian who promotes literacy and inclusivity through reading programs and special events.

Help me create a bilingual reading challenge for [insert grade level] students that encourages them to explore books by diverse authors and cultures. Include a sample book list and ideas for tracking or celebrating progress.

Optional: I’m uploading a list of [books from my current collection or titles I’d like to include]. Please use these to customize the challenge.

7. Evaluate My Library Collection

Every shelf tells a story, and sometimes that story is, “Wow, we have five different copies of Charlotte’s Web but zero books about climate change.” This prompt helps you step into collection development mode with confidence. Whether you’re doing an audit for a book order, a grant proposal, or just your own peace of mind, ChatGPT can help you create a smart, focused checklist that highlights what’s missing, what’s outdated, and where the magic needs refreshing. Just be sure to omit any student-specific data if you’re referencing reports or circulation stats—privacy always comes first. Perk of the job: It’s surprisingly satisfying to spot those gaps and fill them like a literary Tetris master.

Prompt: 

You are a school librarian responsible for maintaining a current, diverse, and engaging collection that supports student learning and interests.

Help me create a checklist to evaluate the library collection for gaps in [insert topic, subject, genre, or student need—e.g., STEM, graphic novels, current events, multilingual titles, mental health].

Optional: I’m uploading a current inventory list or circulation report—please use this to tailor the checklist.

8. Writing Winning Grants for Your Library

Let’s talk about your library wish list. You know… that list you keep tucked in the back of your brain (or maybe a Google Doc) for when someone magically drops a grant opportunity in your lap. Whether you’ve scored funding or you’re chasing it down, writing a grant proposal can feel like one more “hat” on your already-maxed-out librarian head. That’s where ChatGPT comes in. This prompt helps you turn those wishlist items into a smart, clear proposal that shows exactly how your request supports students and learning.

Let’s be honest — grant requirements can feel like a maze of fine print. But here’s the good news: ChatGPT thrives on specifics. You’ve already got the details — they’re just sitting in that grant description. All you have to do is feed them in, and boom: now you’ve got the words to match the vision.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian who advocates for student access, engagement, and learning through thoughtful collection development, instructional technology, and a welcoming, flexible learning environment.

Write a short proposal to request funding for the following library needs: [insert specific requests—e.g., graphic novels, makerspace tools, tablets, flexible seating, tables, soft chairs]. Explain how these items will support student learning, behavior, access, or inclusion. This proposal must meet the following grant requirements: [insert grant requirements—e.g., items must be published in the past 4 years, tech must cost under $500 per item, furniture must be…, budget is $4,000].

Optional: I’m uploading student feedback, circulation stats, or space photos—please use these to support the proposal.

9. Plan a Tech Try-It Event for Teachers

Let’s be honest, professional development doesn’t always feel exciting for teachers. But give them coffee, a choice of tools, and the space to click around without pressure? Now we’re talking. A “Tech Try-It Tuesday” is a casual, come-and-go event that helps teachers explore classroom tech at their own pace with you there to guide, support, and model. It works especially well when you’re the resident tech champion who knows what’s worth their time.

This prompt helps you design a teacher-focused experience with approachable tools they can actually use (and not just nod at politely during a PD slide deck). Want inspiration? Check out this real example of Tech Tuesdays in action.

Chef’s kiss: That moment when a teacher leaves saying, “This is going to make my life easier.”

Prompt:

You are a school librarian who supports teachers by introducing new technology tools and modeling how they can be used for instruction

Help me plan a “Tech Try-It Tuesday” (or similar event) for [insert grade levels taught by your staff] that helps teachers explore 3–4 vetted, low-lift digital tools or platforms. Include a description of each station, what teachers will try or create, and how each tool can be integrated into classroom instruction. I’m planning to include the following tools: [insert tool names here]. Please use these as the basis for the event plan. I will review and test all tools before sharing them with staff.

10. Promote the Book Fair

Book fair week is like a pop-up bookstore, school carnival, and literacy celebration rolled into one — and you’re the ringmaster. This prompt helps you whip up ready-to-share promo content that gets families, students, and staff genuinely excited (and reminds them that every book bought puts more stories on your shelves).

Real talk: If you’re already moving shelves and managing money, your promo materials shouldn’t be one more heavy lift.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian organizing a book fair and responsible for promoting it to families, students, and staff.

Write a short, friendly flyer blurb, email, and social media post to build excitement and increase attendance. The name of our book fair is [insert fair name] and will occur on [insert dates]. Make sure to include a reminder that purchases help support the library.

Optional: I’m uploading a flyer or list of featured books—please use this to tailor the message.

11. Reflect on the Book Fair & Plan Ahead

The fair is over, the tablecloths are wrinkled, and you’ve finally found that last rogue pencil eraser behind the cash box. Now what? This prompt helps you take what just happened — sales data, hot titles, backorder drama — and turn it into insight for next time.

It’s not just reflection. It’s your secret weapon for making the next fair smoother, smarter, and even more student-centered. Again, just be sure to omit any student-specific data before sharing information with AI tools. Protecting student privacy always comes first.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian reviewing your recent book fair to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and what to change next time.

Help me reflect on this book fair using [upload or insert info—e.g., inventory report, sales data, student feedback, or notes on popular titles]. No student-identifiable information is included. Suggest what I should order more of next time, what could be promoted better, and how to improve the experience for students, families, and staff.

12. Plan or Explain a Weeding Strategy (and Write Policy Language)

No one became a librarian because they love throwing books away. Weeding can feel weird. You’re a book lover. Of course it’s hard to pull something off the shelf and say, “Yep, your time has come.” But when the nonfiction section is crowded with outdated facts and zero student interest, it’s not helping anyone. This prompt helps you build a clear, defensible weeding plan you can actually explain to your admin, your board, or that colleague who still swears every book deserves to stay.

Clearing shelf space = making room for relevance, discovery, and yes… sanity.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian responsible for maintaining a relevant, engaging, and accessible collection.

Help me create a plan for weeding my library collection. Include recommended guidelines for evaluating books (e.g., age, condition, circulation data, accuracy), tips for handling sensitive topics or outdated nonfiction, and ideas for repurposing or discarding weeded books. Also, provide professional, policy-friendly language I can include in our collection development manual or use when explaining our weeding practices to [insert group—e.g., an administrator, colleague, or school board].

Optional: I’m uploading circulation data, collection reports, or a draft policy—please use them to tailor the response.

Quick tip: No collection development manual? No problem. Ask ChatGPT to help you start one from scratch. Just tell it what matters most to you — like weeding criteria, selection guidelines, or how discards are handled — and have a back-and-forth convo from there. It’s like brainstorming with a super organized, policy-writing sidekick.

13. Plan a Library Lesson in a Pinch

It’s the night before. Or you have a case of the Sunday Scaries. Or maybe it’s 7:42 a.m. and a class just got dropped into your schedule with zero warning. We’ve all been there. This prompt helps you quickly sketch out a thoughtful, standards-aligned lesson using resources you’ve already chosen so you can stay focused on students, not scramble for structure.

It also works great for sub plans or your emergency backup file — the one you always mean to update but never quite get around to. (Until now.) Of course, the final plan still needs your eyes on it. AI helps draft; you decide what makes the cut.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian creating a quick, standards-aligned lesson plan for a [insert grade level] class.

The instructional goal is: [insert your goal—e.g., introduce genres, practice research skills, explore point of view]. I’d like to use [insert book title, tech tool, database, or other resource] in the lesson. Create a short, engaging lesson plan that includes:

– A quick intro or hook
– A student activity
– A wrap-up or reflection
– Optional extensions if time allows

14. Track Down That “One Book” a Student Is Describing

“I don’t know the title, but it’s blue and had a dragon… or maybe a dog?”

If you’ve heard a version of that sentence at least once a week, welcome to librarian life. Usually this is the part where you post in your favorite Facebook group and pray someone recognizes it but sometimes, you need a faster fix.

This prompt helps you take even the most random collection of clues and turn them into a list of possible matches or solid next reads. Whether you’re solving a shelf-side mystery or just helping a kid rediscover a favorite, this one turns guesswork into a plan. Because let’s face it, sometimes you’re not just the librarian. You’re the detective, too.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian helping a student find a book they vaguely remember or are trying to describe.

Use the following clues to help me identify the book or suggest a few similar titles they might enjoy: [insert whatever the student says—e.g., it’s red, had a dog, maybe a baseball, probably funny, they read it last year, it was on a shelf near graphic novels]. If the exact book can’t be identified, give 3–5 suggestions based on the clues, reading level, or genre.

15. Help Write a Student-Friendly Book Summary

If you don’t have time to channel your inner book critic for every title on the shelf. You know the moment. A student walks in, half interested, half skeptical, and asks, “What’s this book even about?” And while you could spin up a beautiful elevator pitch on the spot… you’ve also answered that question twelve times today, and it’s barely past second period.

That’s where ChatGPT can lend a hand. Use this prompt to help you generate quick, student-friendly summaries you can polish and use for book displays, reading lists, or one-on-one recommendations.

Prompt:

You are a school librarian helping students find their next great read. Your job is to write a short, exciting summary of a book that will make students want to pick it up. You know how to keep it brief, fun, and tailored to their grade level.

Write a 3–5 sentence summary of the book [Book Title] by [Author] that will appeal to [Grade Level] students. Make it engaging, student-friendly, and written at an appropriate reading level. Focus on the main character, the central conflict, and a hook that draws the reader in.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Still here? You’re a legend. I know this was a long scroll, but honestly, when the ideas started flowing, I couldn’t stop. Whether you steal just one prompt or bookmark the whole batch for later, I hope something in here makes your day easier, your planning faster, or your brain go, “Ooh… I could use that.”

Remember, you don’t have to use it all, and you definitely don’t have to be an AI wizard overnight. Just treat these prompts like your library sidekick, ready when you need support, silent when you don’t.

I believe there’s space between “ban it all” and “let the robots run the library”—and that’s where most of us are: using new tools thoughtfully, asking good questions, and keeping people at the center. AI isn’t perfect, but with librarians like you leading the way, we can shape how it’s used ethically, intentionally, and with care.

And hey — if no one’s said it lately: what you do matters. Even if you didn’t get a shoutout this month (or a donut), know this — you’re absolutely crushing it.

Also, quick reminder: you spend all year advocating for your students. Don’t forget to advocate for yourself, too. Whether you’re hoping to learn new tech tools, build better collaborations, or just breathe library air with people who get it, professional development is how we grow the good stuff. I’ve got a free prompt and email template [right here] to help you make the ask—without sounding like you’re angling for a vacation.

Now go copy a prompt, open ChatGPT, and start creating—with care, clarity, and that librarian instinct for doing what’s best for you and your students. I hope to see you online this summer at the TCEA Librarian Conference!

2025 Librarian Conference, June 24-26, Online.

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AI/VREducational TrendsPlanning and PreparationTechnical Support

The AI in Education Journey: You’re Not Alone

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

Back in April of 1993, educators were buzzing about the newest thing in technology: the World Wide Web. Parents and community members were worried about it exposing students to things they didn’t normally have access to, administrators were worried about it distracting students, and teachers were confused about how or even if to integrate it into their classes. 

Fast forward to today and the same thing is happening with artificial intelligence. Some experts are claiming that it can revitalize the school system and learning and others are predicting it will be the end of the world. So, what’s an educator to do?

The AI in Education Journey

TCEA was one of the few organizations that was prepared and ready 32 years ago to help teachers and administrators implement the use of the web into learning, and we are just as prepared today to help with AI. For that reason, our professional development staff members have created the AI in Education Journey for school districts and campuses to use. It’s called a journey because the effective implementation of any new tool is not a one-stop process; it’s a slow and carefully planned expedition that moves through different stages based on the needs of the individual.

TCEA’s AI in Education Journey is an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our team of educational experts as you harness the power of AI in your school or district. From a personalized pre-assessment to scalable growth strategies, we have the tools and know-how to support you every step of the way. 

Stages in the AI Journey

There are five different stages in successfully implementing AI:

  • Stage 1: Discover AI’s True Potential for Teaching, Learning, and Leading
  • Stage 2: Plan for AI Integration 
  • Stage 3: Master AI Basics with Hands-On Professional Learning
  • Stage 4: Activate AI in Education
  • Stage 5: Sustain and Scale AI

The pre-assessment will tell you exactly what stage your organization is at with the implementation of AI. Some schools may need to start at Stage 1 while others may be ready for a later stage. The Journey is designed to fit each group’s specific needs and meet them where they are at.

Numerous resources are included for each stage of the journey, from custom GPTs to personalized online and face-to-face learning, sample policies, tool rubrics, ideas for student AI use including a K-12 curriculum framework, and so much more. TCEA has done the hard work of gathering all of the necessary materials, concepts, discussion points, and samples to help you move forward.

And, the AI Journey is priced to meet the budgetary limits that schools are currently under, ensuring that every district and campus can take advantage of the program without breaking the bank.

Join Us on the AI in Education Journey

Educators will gain hands-on expertise with the best AI tools to personalize learning, streamline workflows, and engage students. Meanwhile, administrators and leaders will develop actionable strategies, ethical policies, and data-driven insights to implement AI initiatives that drive institutional growth and success.

From foundational awareness to long-term scaling, this journey equips your entire team with the skills, resources, and confidence to lead the way in AI-powered education. Let TCEA be your guide to making AI an integral and sustainable part of your learning community!

If you are interested, please complete the short form at the bottom of this page and we will get back to you to discuss the needs you may have. We look forward to traveling with you!

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AI/VRDigital Literacy

SIFTing Through the Noise with Skilled Curiosity

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” – Alvin Toffler

This quote sets quite the stage, doesn’t it? So how can we deal with the current 24/7 information flood? Blend SIFT into your middle and high school student-oriented lessons. Let’s take a look at how to begin!

In the KirschnerED’s Science of Teaching Critical Thinking, Professor of Psychology Daniel T. Willingham is cited as offering three essential characteristics of critical thinking.

  1. Novel Thinking: Critical thinking occurs when a person encounters a situation that is new and unfamiliar, requiring them to analyze and reason rather than recall and use past solutions.
  2. Self-Directed Thinking: A person is thinking critically when they independently evaluate a situation rather than simply following instructions.
  3. Effective Thinking: For thinking to be considered critical, it must be guided by logical principles, such as considering both sides of an issue, evaluating evidence, and separating emotion from reason.

Like a three legged stool, you can encounter difficulty without one of these characteristics.

Four Essential Steps to Build Critical Thinkers

With those characteristics in mind, and the admonition that critical thinking is specific to a domain (e.g. requires background knowledge in a discipline of study), how do you systematically develop digital literacy skills across subjects? Here are four steps (research-backed approach) you can take:

  1. Skill Identification
    Example: In social studies, focus on identifying author bias. In science, prioritize tracing research sources.
  2. Content Pairing
    Pair “Investigate the Source” with primary document analysis in history classes.
  3. Progressive Complexity
    Start with verifying meme sources in 6th grade, progress to analyzing AI-generated content by 12th grade.
  4. Cross-Curricular Reinforcement
    Science teachers reinforce “Trace Claims” through lab report citations while English teachers apply it to literary criticism.

But what might this look like in the classroom?

Try out Miguel Guhlin’s Skeptical Thinker, a ChatGPT powered tool to assist you in developing critical thinking and analyzing claims. It’s free and may be of use. Remember, you shouldn’t use Custom GPTs like this one with under 13 year olds.

Classroom-Ready SIFT Activities

Middle School Social Studies: Historical Fact-Checking

Activity: Cold War Headline Analysis

  • Why This Works:
    Develops media literacy through comparative analysis of 1950s newspaper coverage versus declassified documents.
  • Implementation:
  1. Provide Pravda and NY Times articles about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
  2. Students use SIFT framework to:
    • Identify governmental influences on reporting
    • Trace casualty figures to original military reports
    • Compare with modern historical analyses

Tech Enhancement:
Use Newsela’s Text Sets to access differentiated primary sources and build customized comparison dashboards.

Example of a climate change denial meme for illustrative purposes (source)

High School Science: Climate Change Debates

Activity: Global Warming Evidence Trace

Why This Works:
Teaches students to distinguish between scientific consensus and manufactured controversy.

Implementation:

  1. Analyze a viral climate change denial meme
  2. Guide students to:
    • Investigate original IPCC report citations
    • Find counter-arguments from peer-reviewed journals
    • Create evidence maps showing scientific agreement levels

Tech Enhancement:
Google Scholar Alerts track evolving research, while Hypothesis.is enables collaborative source annotation.

Did You Know about Be Informed?

Students assess the impact social media has on the fact-based information necessary for effective participation in a democracy. Using video from A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy and writing activities, students explore the challenges in addressing misinformation and disinformation that younger Americans encounter online. Students conclude by discussing the connections between trustworthy information and a thriving democracy. Watch video on teens fact-checking Tik Toks.

Why This Approach Works

You may be wondering why this approach works. It relies on a variety of high-effect sized instructional strategies.

  1. Brain-Based Learning
    Spaced repetition through cross-grade reinforcement strengthens neural pathways.
  2. Real-World Relevance
    TikTok fact-checking exercises increase engagement (source) compared to textbook drills.
  3. Skill Transfer
    Students using approaches like SIFT show 34% improvement (source) in identifying phishing emails versus control groups
Created by author

The Best Armor

“The best armor against misinformation isn’t skepticism—it’s skilled curiosity.”

Use the SIFT Method in the context of classroom activities to encourage skilled curiosity.

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AI/VRDigital LiteracyEducational ResearchGood Teaching

Learning by Teaching with AI

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

The use of AI tools for student learning is a somewhat controversial topic of discussion today. If students use it to brainstorm or create, are they actually learning? Or are they just copying and pasting the chatbot’s information and passing it off as their own. Dr. Philippa Hardman offers a different approach: inviting students to use AI to learn by teaching.

Research on Learning by Teaching with AI

Empirical evidence shows that the act of teaching others solidifies a student’s knowledge, fosters self-regulatory skills, and provides immediate diagnostic feedback. This is the basis of the powerful instructional strategy the Jigsaw Method. John Hattie found that this strategy has an effect size of 1.20, three times higher than the hinge effect size of 0.4. This makes it one of the most effective ways for students to learn.

The Teaching Others strategy has also been proven to have these benefits:

  • Powerful Active Learning: When students know they will have to teach a concept, their engagement increases. Research (Benware and Deci, 1984) shows the mere expectation of having to teach something leads to deeper processing of material.
  • Self-Regulated Learning: Teaching requires planning, monitoring, and reflecting, which aligns with Zimmerman’s (2002) findings on fostering lifelong learning skills.
  • Immediate Feedback: Students learn more deeply when they receive instant signals about gaps in their own understanding (Okita and Schwartz, 2013).

What is learning by teaching?

Learning by teaching is simply what happens when one student must become knowledgeable about a specific topic to be able to teach another student. Of course, there are some guidelines that must be taught first before students can be successful with this strategy. Below are some detailed, actionable steps for introducing “Teaching Others” in your classroom:

  1. Explain the Rationale
    • What: Communicate that students will master content more effectively by teaching it.
    • Why: Emphasize that teaching reveals gaps in understanding, prompting deeper learning.
    • How: Provide examples (e.g., brief student-to-student explanations, micro-teaching sessions).
  2. Model the Process
    • Demonstrate: Show how you break down a topic into key ideas, check for clarity, and adapt your explanation based on a learner’s feedback.
    • Use Think-Alouds: Verbalize your thought process when planning an explanation—where you begin, how you check if the “learner” is following, and how you handle confusion.
  3. Set Up Structured Activities
    • Peer Teaching: Pair or group students. Assign each person a subtopic and have them teach the others.
    • Jigsaw Method: Divide a larger concept into chunks. Each student becomes an expert in one chunk, then teaches the rest of the group.
    • Feedback Loops: Incorporate time for student-teachers to ask: “What didn’t make sense?” This fosters immediate clarification and deeper insight.
  4. Use Guiding Tools
    • Checklists or Scripts: Provide a structured format students can follow when explaining content (e.g., “Introduction → Key Points → Examples → Questions → Summaries”).
    • Reflection Prompts: After teaching, ask students to reflect: “What questions did you get? What was hardest to explain? What would you clarify next time?”
  5. Assess and Reflect
    • Peer/Self-Assessment: Offer rubrics for both the “teachers” and “learners” to assess clarity, engagement, and understanding.
    • Ongoing Improvement: Encourage students to note where they felt uncertain or where their explanations fell short, then give them a chance to re-teach.

Integrating AI into Learning by Teaching

While some students have learned to use AI to do work for them, this tool can also be effectively used to help them learn content by embracing the idea of the student “teaching” the chatbot. Below are steps to help you embed AI into a teaching-to-learn model:

  1. Set Clear Guidelines
    • Explain the Role of AI: Frame the AI as a “practice student.” Students should teach it step by step, anticipating mistakes.
    • Define Expectations: Students must ask the AI questions, check its understanding, and correct it when it errs. Remind them that the AI might not always respond like a human learner.
  2. Structure AI Teaching Sessions
    • Assess the AI’s “Knowledge”: Have students ask targeted questions to see what AI “already knows.”
    • Plan Explanations: Before each session, have students create a mini-plan of how they will teach the concept (e.g., definitions, examples, practice prompts).
    • Guide and Monitor: Students should carefully observe the AI’s responses for inaccuracies or superficial understanding. Encourage them to probe deeper with follow-up questions.
  3. Encourage Iterative Feedback
    • Correct Misconceptions: If the AI displays incorrect answers, students must identify the error and explain the correct reasoning.
    • Reflect on Gaps: Ask students to note any point where the AI’s response is “too perfect” or changes “persona.” Discuss how these inconsistencies affect the teaching process.
  4. Promote Self-Regulated Learning
    • Plan → Teach → Reflect Cycle: Encourage students to plan an explanation, carry it out with the AI, then reflect on what went well and what needs improvement.
    • Debug and Retry: If the AI’s answer is correct too quickly, challenge students to dig deeper or choose a more complex subtopic. If the AI is incorrect, practice “debugging” the AI’s misconceptions.
  5. Document and Share
    • Track Interactions: Have students keep a log of what they taught the AI and how the AI responded. This helps them see their own progress and recurring misunderstandings.
    • Discuss in Class: As a group, share successful teaching moves and highlight areas where the AI was hard to “teach.” Use these discussions to improve collective teaching strategies.

Tips for Maximizing Impact

  1. Introduce Controlled Complexity
    • Start Simple: Use AI for clear-cut, lower-level tasks or concepts.
    • Scale Up: As students become comfortable, move to more abstract or complex topics that force deeper explanations.
  2. Maintain Realism
    • Acknowledge AI Limitations: AI might not display truly “human” confusion. Remind students that real learners show partial understanding and might need repeated explanations.
    • Supplement with Real Peers: Balance AI-based teaching with real peer-tutoring experiences for richer feedback and authentic misconceptions.
  3. Leverage Reflection for Growth
    • Celebrate “Teachable Moments”: When the AI produces unexpected output, encourage students to refine their own thinking and explanations.
    • Encourage Metacognition: Have students articulate what strategy they used to clarify confusion and how they adjusted for the AI’s strengths or weaknesses.

By weaving these actionable steps into your classroom practice, you can harness the robust research behind Teaching Others and capitalize on new AI possibilities, enabling your students to learn more deeply, think more critically, and grow more confident in their own knowledge.

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AI/VRArtificial Intelligence

Learning More about Yourself with the AI Personality Test

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

I recently tried a new AI website that I’d heard about. It’s the AI Personality Test, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from it. But I was pleasantly surprised.

How the AI Personality Test Works

You talk with their “AI interviewer” for approximately five minutes. (A microphone is required.) The interviewer asks follow-up questions to get to know you better. At the end of the interview, you’re given a comprehensive report about your personality. It’s analyzed based on thousands of past responses.

What I Liked about the AI Personality Test

  • I found the interviewer’s voice very soothing and calming. I almost left like I was talking with a real person.
  • The questions seemed to be written specifically for me. They allowed me to think about things I hadn’t considered before, which was a surprise.
  • The report I received after the interview was very detailed and included not only thoughts about my personality (The Nurturer), but also:
    • Book recommendations to help me in my journey
    • Movie recommendations (which were spot on for me)
    • Song recommendations and links (again, exactly what I would have chosen)
    • Celebrity “doppelgangers” that have a similar personality (Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, and Drew Barrymore for me)
    • “Guesses” about my diet, my perfect weekend, and my wardrobe, all of which perfectly described me
    • It also offered insights on my strengths and weaknesses, career, friends, presents, and date night activities.

You can see my final report here.

What I Didn’t Like about the AI Personality Test

  • The “trying this might do wonders” section was not really helpful or specific to my personality. It recommended organizing my physical space each morning. I normally am a very organized and tidy person, so this didn’t fit me.
  • I shared with it my desire to be more physically active this new year, so I was expecting it would make some recommendations for that. But it didn’t mention this.
  • I was originally worried about data privacy. They have a very detailed privacy policy available here, which made me feel a little bit better. But I would not share any “secret” or private information with them.

Other Personality Tests

There are a number of other free AI personality tests available:

I haven’t tried any of these or verified their claim to be “free” or their privacy policies.

Final Thoughts

This free test, requiring no registration to access it, was created by a company that would like to sell its service to large companies for employee personality tests. But for free, it was really pretty good and accurate. I appreciated learning a little bit more about myself, and the overall experience being interviewed was enjoyable. It’s obviously not suitable for anyone under 18, so you can’t have your students use it. But it might be fun and possibly enlightening for you to take the test. Let me know what you find out in the comments below!

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AI/VRArtificial Intelligence

Top 5 AI Tools Every Educator Should Know About

by Diana Benner
written by Diana Benner

Imagine walking into your classroom with a toolkit of AI-powered tools that save time, spark creativity, and help students thrive. Sounds magical, right? These tools are game-changers for educators, offering practical solutions and endless possibilities. Whether you’re designing lessons, engaging students, or managing your workflow, these five AI tools can transform your teaching experience. Here’s how they can work for you, with examples for K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 classrooms!

1. ChatGPT: Your AI Brainstorming Partner

ChatGPT is like having a co-teacher on standby 24/7. This conversational AI can help you brainstorm ideas and create customized prompts. It can answer tricky subject-related questions and even break down complex concepts. It’s incredibly versatile, which makes it useful for educators in all grade levels and content areas.

How to Use It:

  • K-2 Example: Generate rhyming poems for phonics lessons.
    Prompt: “Write a short, fun rhyming poem about the ‘at’ word family.”
    Output:
    A cat with a hat sat on a mat…
    Use this to teach rhyme and extend it by asking students to create their own rhyming words.
  • 3-5 Example: Craft unique story prompts for creative writing.
    Prompt: “Write a story prompt about finding a treasure map.”
    Output: “You discover a dusty old map in your attic. It has strange symbols and a note saying, ‘Only the brave may proceed.’ What happens next?”
  • 6-8 Example: Generate thought-provoking discussion questions for history.
    Prompt: “What if the Declaration of Independence was never signed?”
  • 9-12 Example: Create advanced problem-solving scenarios for science or math.
    Prompt: “Design a physics problem about calculating the trajectory of a rocket.”

2. Canva for Education: Visuals Made Easy

Canva for Education offers free access to premium templates and tools that allow educators to create eye-catching visuals. From classroom posters and interactive graphics to student assignments, Canva simplifies design. It also includes collaborative features, so students can create visuals together. You can sign up for Canva for Education here.

How to Use It:

  • K-2 Example: Design alphabet flashcards with colorful images.
    For instance, create a card for “A” with an apple illustration and the text: “A is for Apple.” Use bold fonts and vibrant colors to captivate young learners.
  • 3-5 Example: Develop a timeline template for history lessons.
    Students can visually map events like the American Revolution, adding images and descriptions for milestones.
  • 6-8 Example: Create a comic strip template for summarizing literature.
    Assign students to retell “Romeo and Juliet” as a comic strip to enhance understanding and engagement.
  • 9-12 Example: Design professional-quality infographics for research projects.
    For instance, create an infographic comparing renewable and non-renewable energy sources, complete with charts and icons.
Screenshot of alphabet flashcards from Canva Template Gallery.
Screenshot by Author from Canva Templates made by Made by Mei

3. Quillbot: Simplify and Streamline Writing

Quillbot helps educators simplify instructions, paraphrase complex text, or adjust tone for different audiences. It’s an AI-powered writing assistant that makes writing clearer and more concise.

How to Use It:

  • K-2 Example: Simplify announcements or newsletters for parents.
    Original: “Please ensure your child brings weather-appropriate clothing tomorrow.”
    Simplified: “Make sure your child wears warm clothes tomorrow.”
  • 3-5 Example: Adjust reading passages to suit different comprehension levels.
  • 6-8 Example: Help students rewrite essays for clarity and tone.
    Original: “The water cycle is important because it is how water moves through the environment.”
    Paraphrased: “The water cycle moves water through the environment and is essential for life.”
  • 9-12 Example: Refine scholarship essays and college applications.

4. Padlet: “I Can’t Draw” Feature for Visual Collaboration

Padlet’s “I Can’t Draw” feature revolutionizes visual learning by allowing anyone, regardless of artistic skills, to create meaningful visuals. This tool uses AI to transform rough sketches into polished diagrams, enhancing collaboration and creativity in the classroom.

How to Use It:

  • K-2 Example: Create visual stories.
    Activity: Students draw basic shapes or stick figures to illustrate a story. Padlet’s AI refines their sketches into professional-looking visuals, helping young learners tell their stories with confidence.
  • 3-5 Example: Design concept maps for science.
    Activity: Students sketch a food chain (e.g., sun, plants, animals). Padlet’s AI enhances the sketches, producing clean, colorful diagrams for presentations or posters.
  • 6-8 Example: Generate historical timelines.
    Activity: Students sketch events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence or Civil Rights marches. Padlet refines their illustrations, creating a visually compelling timeline.
  • 9-12 Example: Build infographics for research projects.
    Activity: Students outline key points for a report (e.g., renewable energy sources) with rough visuals. Padlet’s AI enhances these into sleek, presentation-ready graphics.
Images of Little Red Riding Hood from Padlet's "I Can't Draw" feature.
Screenshot by Author from Padlet’s “I Can’t Draw” feature.

5. Magic School AI: Your AI-Powered Classroom Assistant

Magic School AI is a versatile platform designed specifically for educators. It offers AI-driven tools for lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and personalized learning. With its focus on simplifying teacher workloads, Magic School AI is a game-changer for creating engaging learning experiences.

How to Use It:

  • K-2 Example: Create personalized phonics exercises.
    Prompt: “Generate a worksheet with simple vowel-consonant-vowel words for early readers.”
    Output: A colorful worksheet with words like “cat,” “bat,” and “dog,” including matching and fill-in-the-blank activities.
  • 3-5 Example: Design quizzes aligned to math standards.
    Prompt: “Generate 10 multiple-choice questions on fractions, aligned to Common Core standards.”
    Output: Printable and interactive quizzes with varied question types, complete with an answer key.
  • 6-8 Example: Automate grading for short-answer quizzes.
    Upload student responses, and Magic School AI provides instant grading, feedback, and insights into areas for improvement.
  • 9-12 Example: Develop advanced project-based learning templates.
    Prompt: “Create a project outline for a physics experiment on Newton’s Laws of Motion.”
    Output: A comprehensive guide with objectives, required materials, steps, and evaluation criteria.

These tools aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about empowering educators and students to thrive. Whether you’re sparking creativity with ChatGPT, designing professional-quality visuals with Canva, or creating quizzes with Magic School AI, these resources unlock endless possibilities. To learn more about AI, be sure to check out these AI-related blogs on the TCEA TechNotes.

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AI and SOLO feature image, author-generated
AI/VRGood Teaching

AI and SOLO Taxonomy: A Path to Deeper Learning

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

The debate about AI in education focuses on its effect on learning. Critics argue tools like ChatGPT let students avoid hard thinking, eroding critical skills. Others push for stronger AI literacy to prevent overreliance and cheating.

During a talk with my colleague Diana Benner, an idea took shape. What if we stopped resisting AI and embraced its role? We could tie it to teaching models like SOLO Taxonomy, which guides learning from basic knowledge to deep understanding.

SOLO Taxonomy: A Framework for Learning Growth

SOLO (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) Taxonomy describes learning across five stages. Here are my notes on the subject, poorly adapted from Geoff Petty’s Evidence-Based Teaching:

  1. Prestructural: The learner struggles with the task, providing irrelevant information and missing key points.
  2. Unistructural: The learner addresses the task from a single perspective, lacking a broader or integrated view.
  3. Multistructural: The learner explores multiple aspects of a topic but fails to connect or reconcile conflicts between them.
  4. Relational: The learner integrates perspectives, understands relationships, and resolves inconsistencies, forming a coherent view.
  5. Extended Abstract: The learner transcends the immediate context, applying principles to novel situations, weighing conflicting evidence, and creating new frameworks.

This progression aligns with the natural cognitive and metacognitive processes in disciplines like science, where learners hypothesize, test, analyze, and ultimately synthesize data into general principles. You can see this in action via the PRISM framework series.

In the meantime, this infographic incorporates an AI Connection into the SOLO Taxonomy:

The SOLO Taxonomy with AI Connection (author generated)
Author generated image of The SOLO Taxonomy with AI Connection

Matching AI Tools with Learning Phases

John Hattie’s insights on learning phases—surface, deep, and transfer—are key to understanding how and when to incorporate AI. They serve as ways to broadly describe the levels of the SOLO Taxonomy. Let’s take a look at these:

  1. Surface Learning: At this phase, students need exposure to foundational knowledge. AI tools like Edulastic or Quizlet can provide scaffolded retrieval practice and basic quizzes to build their schema.
  2. Deep Learning: Here, students begin to see patterns and relationships. AI can facilitate discussions, prompt deeper questioning, or curate diverse perspectives on a topic. Tools like Google Keep, MS OneNote, markdown editors can assist students in structuring notes or synthesizing key ideas. Again, which digital tools you use (or not) should take into account student age and grade level. It’s even better to rely on handwritten notes to activate the brain. After all, “What the hand does, the mind remembers.”
  3. Transfer Learning: Students apply their understanding to solve problems or innovate. AI shines here, supporting complex tasks like generating alternative hypotheses or testing scenarios. Tools like ChatGPT can serve as a sparring partner for debating ideas or running simulations.
Author-generated image
Concept map showing various tools relevant to phases of learning

Classroom Strategies: AI Meets SOLO in Action

Wondering what this might look like in the classroom? Here are some suggestions that focus on the use of digital tools. Please note that paper-n-pencil activities can work as well, or better. AI tools are not always necessary and can be a distraction at the early levels of concept attainment, formation, and connection.

1. Prestructural and Unistructural Levels

  • Activity: Introduce a topic using AI-generated questions for retrieval practice. Tools like Blooket or Knowt gamify this phase, making foundational knowledge acquisition engaging.
  • Outcome: Students solidify basic concepts, building a base for deeper inquiry.

2. Multistructural Level

  • Activity: Use AI tools to curate diverse viewpoints or data sets about a controversial topic. For instance, students might analyze AI-summarized articles to compare arguments.
  • Outcome: Learners practice comparing perspectives, though they may struggle to resolve contradictions.

3. Relational Level

  • Activity: Guide students in reconciling conflicting viewpoints with AI as a brainstorming assistant. Tools like ChatGPT can suggest frameworks or connections they may not have considered. For both this level and the next (i.e. Extended Abstract), you can take advantage of trained AI thought partners.
  • Outcome: Students construct a coherent understanding and begin to apply it across contexts.

4. Extended Abstract Level

  • Activity: Challenge students to design a solution to a real-world problem, with AI assisting in generating models, testing hypotheses, or refining presentations.
  • Outcome: Learners demonstrate mastery by applying principles innovatively and defending their approach against scrutiny.

Addressing AI Overreliance

To prevent overreliance, educators should:

  • Assess Learning Phases: Align AI use with the phase of learning, gradually reducing support as students progress.
  • Teach Critical Evaluation: Empower students to question AI outputs, identifying biases or inaccuracies.
  • Model Ethical Use: Show students how to integrate AI responsibly into their workflows, using it as a tool rather than a crutch.
Author-generated image
Do’s and Don’ts of AI Use in the Classroom

Exploring SOLO and AI in the Context of the Writing Classroom

One of the questions I have going around in my mind? What does this look like in the writing workshop I facilitated at elementary and secondary grade levels? One possibility might be allowing AI in these ways, as well as keeping focus on key concepts. It might look like this:

SOLO StageActivityAI GuidelinesCommunity Building
Prestructural
Lacks understanding or prior knowledge.		– Quizzes to gauge understanding.Allowed: Basic prompts or vocabulary lists.
Focus On: Student explanations and connections to the topic.		– Sharing Circle: Discuss connections.
Unistructural
Single ideas with limited connections.		– Write thesis statements or summaries.Allowed: None.
Focus On: Peer and teacher feedback for developing independent writing skills.		– Talk Read, Talk Write: Group discussion before writing.
Multistructural
Multiple ideas but no integration.		– Collect and analyze evidence.Allowed: None.
Focus On: Independent research, analysis, and organizing ideas manually.		– Sharing Circle: Share sources and justify choices.
Relational
Ideas are connected into a coherent whole.		– Draft essays linking multiple arguments.Allowed: AI for outline refinement after a full draft.
Focus On: Building connections and arguments independently.		– Talk Read, Talk Write: Peer feedback on outlines.
Extended Abstract
Applies knowledge creatively or to novel situations.		– Apply writing to new scenarios.Allowed: AI for brainstorming refinements or counterarguments post-draft.
Focus On: Original ideas and creative problem-solving.		– Sharing Circle: Peer Q&A on solutions.

Do you think this is too strict? I find myself agreeing with this perspective from educator Thomas Hummel:

“Over-reliance on AI for simple tasks can rob students of the opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “

-Thomas hummel (source)

A Parting Thought

AI gives teachers and students a chance to dive deep into their work. With tools like SOLO Taxonomy, we can push students to master skills and think for themselves.

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Author generated overview of game design process
AI/VREnglish Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Writing

Interactive Fiction Game Design with Claude Artifacts

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Ever wish you could design interactive fiction games, like text-based Zork from back in the day combined with something like space opera? I sure do. And the good news is that making the game of my dreams is now possible (and simple!) through the use of AI. I bet your students would even love the opportunity to experience game design with Claude Artifacts, too!

“My query to ChatGPT was this: Create a choose-your-own-ending game that uses Haiku as the central text.
Within seconds, I had the framework of a narrative, embedded with haiku….” Be sure to check out Kevin’s (Dogtrax) exploration of ChatGPT for a similar type experience with interactive text!

Read An Interactive Text Game of Poetry Haiku Quest

Adventuring Through the Stars

A few years ago, one of my favorite space stories, Battle Beyond the Stars, found its way into my heart again. Surfing my Roku box for sci-fi thrillers, I stumbled down a wormhole of old space operas and movies. The story immediately captivated me again. The synopsis is stunning and simple:

“A farm boy recruits a band of outlaws to save the planet Akir from forces that threaten to wipe them out from the face of the universe. A battle stretching beyond the stars begins here.”

Battle Beyond the Stars, IMDB

This is the kind of storytelling I could see my third through sixth grade students doing. The only thing beyond them? The coding. But what if they could interact with an AI and guide it to do the coding?

As I watched this exciting show, I found myself wondering, “How hard would it be to create a Zork style game based on a space adventure?” In this blog entry, you will see one simple example that involves using Claude’s Artifact feature. You will also see a way you can raise up some game-makers of your own.

Screenshot by author of IMDB's website movie poster for movie
Screenshot by author of IMDB’s website movie poster for movie

Game Design with Claude

After all, designing games can be fun. The problem is, the tools available to elementary and middle school students can be… anemic, or difficult to master in a short time. For imaginative story weavers, the focus is more on the story, less the code. The whole idea of changing life into a game you play to survive has its appeal. How many of us, as thirteen year olds, wanted to design a Zork style game? These interactive fiction games, a.k.a. text adventures, can be quite engaging.

Image of Zork I game box cover via Wikipedia
Image of Zork I game box cover via Wikipedia

“How hard could it be to design an interactive fiction space adventure?” I found myself thinking. But, I may be getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up a bit.

Becoming a Game Designer

To be a game-maker, you have to know how to code, to strategize, and to plan big. More importantly, you have to know how to create a meaningful story. Let’s take a quick look at what game design is all about:

Game design is a subset of the field of video game development. Relying on several fields of study, the skills of a game designer are specific to computer science and programming, creative writing, and graphic design.

Designers take the creative lead in imagining and bringing to life game elements. Those elements include video game stories, characters, gameplay, rules, interfaces, dialogue and environments. The game designer is a cross between a writer, artist and programmer. It is a person who presents a comprehensive artistic vision.

The designer must have the technical skill to lead or contribute to various efforts. Those efforts include programming, image rendering, level design. Also, digital editing and other construction aspects of game design. (source)

How can teachers scaffold young learners’ design efforts? One approach may be to introduce them to game creation tools that are less about coding yet ensure that game design efforts and activities are possible. Focus on students creating engaging stories about topics of interest to them.

The Game Design Process and Rapid Prototyping

You can find many different design processes online. It would be important to settle on some process to introduce your students to. For example, this game design process presents some interesting stages. Imagine cooperative groups of students working to design a game. Watch video overview of the Game Design Process for an overview of the process.

The infographic below tries to capture this process:

Image Source: 

Another key aspect of game design is failing fast to succeed faster. Rapid prototyping is a must in game design.

A good rapid prototyper would realize that failure is ok! That’s what prototyping is for, so go crazy! If you fail, there will be dozens more, and chances are, you’ll learn something anyway. By embracing the possibility of failure, rewarding experimentation becomes possible.(Source)

Ready to get started?

Designing an Interactive Fiction, Space Adventure

With Claude Artifacts, you and your students can easily design a text-based adventure game (use your imagination for applying this to educational settings).

I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued! This is the kind of game I would have given up recess and lunch for as a child, pictures or not.

How to Get the Game

Save this zip file with the game to your computer. Extract (a.k.a. unzip) the compressed zip file. Then, open it in your web browser.

Claude. “Name this chat “S…” A.I. Archives, 31 July 2024, https://aiarchives.org/id/iApJa45JzHQLTUplnVcL

But how did we get here?

A Step by Step Process to Game Design with Claude

Game design with Claude Artifacts is shockingly easy. You can see a breakdown of the prompts to design this game here:

Prompt #1
Analyze the game design image attached. Design a game that follows this approach focused on a text-based game like Zork I that you could design in Claude Artifacts.

Prompt #2
Add evocative images to each part of the story. use the path "images/filename.png" where filename is the suggested image

Prompt #3
Add a splash page that has a spaceship (images/spaceship.png) with the TCEA logo displayed in bottom right corner. The splash should be identical to the previous Word Wizard except that it reflects this game unique features

Prompt #4
Generate a readme.txt file explaining the whole process, etc. similar to the one you did for the Word Wizard game. (included at the end of this blog post)

Here’s the step by step process that Claude came up with to design a game:

Let's go through each step of the process to create a Zork-like game using Claude Artifacts.

1. Capture:
The core concept is a text-based adventure game set in a mysterious abandoned space station. The player must navigate through different sections, solve puzzles, and uncover the story of what happened to the crew.

2. Brainstorm:

Setting: Abandoned space station orbiting a distant planet
Main objective: Discover what happened to the crew and escape
Puzzles: Based on repairing systems, decoding messages, and combining items
Atmosphere: Eerie, suspenseful, with elements of sci-fi horror
Key locations: Command bridge, living quarters, engineering bay, medical bay, hydroponics lab
Potential items: Key cards, tools, data pads, emergency supplies


3. Prototype:
Let's create a basic prototype of the game's core mechanics and a small section to test.

4. Playtest:
We can now playtest this prototype to see how the basic mechanics work. We'll need to test various commands, try to solve the simple puzzle (using the keycard), and see if the game flow is intuitive.

5. Iterate:
Based on playtesting, we might want to iterate on several aspects:


- Add more locations and items
- Implement a more complex inventory system
- Create more intricate puzzles
- Add a scoring system
- Improve the narrative elements and story progression


6. Implement:
After several iterations, we can implement a full version of the game with a complete story, multiple puzzles, and a satisfying conclusion.

This process allows us to start with a basic concept and gradually build it into a fully-fledged text adventure game. The React component we've created serves as a solid foundation that can be expanded upon in future iterations. We can add more locations, items, and puzzles, as well as enhance the storytelling aspects to create a rich, immersive experience.

Child’s Play

So, you see, game design with Claude is child’s play. It offers us the opportunity as educators to combine various important elements and can engage students while offering the opportunity for direct instruction.

Author generated overview of game design process
Author generated overview of game design process (View | Get a copy)

Details of the Readme.txt File

As you read the text below, realize that this was all generated by Claude.ai. An appropriate action would be to have students create it.What I find interesting is the inclusion of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

Space Station Adventure Game

Created: July 31, 2024

Game Creator: Miguel Guhlin at TCEA.org (https://blog.tcea.org)
Code Author: Claude, AI Assistant. “Space Station Adventure Game.” Anthropic, 31 July 2024, chat.openai.com.

Description:

Space Station Adventure is an educational text-based adventure game designed to engage students in problem-solving, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Players explore an abandoned space station, solving puzzles and uncovering the mystery of what happened to the crew.

Game Design Process:

This game was created following the game design process outlined by Game Design ED:

  1. Capture: The core concept of exploring an abandoned space station was established.
  2. Brainstorm: Ideas for locations, puzzles, and narrative elements were developed.
  3. Prototype: A basic version of the game was created using React components.
  4. Playtest: The prototype was tested to ensure basic functionality and engagement.
  5. Iterate: Based on playtesting, improvements were made to the game mechanics and narrative.
  6. Implement: The final version was created as a standalone HTML file for easy distribution and play.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Referenced:

This game aligns with the following TEKS:

  1. §110.7. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 5
    (b) Knowledge and Skills
    (6) Comprehension skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts. The student uses metacognitive skills to both develop and deepen comprehension of increasingly complex texts. The student is expected to:
    (C) make, correct, or confirm predictions using text features, characteristics of genre, and structures
  2. §126.7. Technology Applications, Grade 5
    (b) Knowledge and skills.
    (1) Creativity and innovation. The student uses creative thinking and innovative processes to construct knowledge, generate new ideas, and create products. The student is expected to:
    (D) create original products using a variety of resources
  3. §111.7. Mathematics, Grade 5
    (b) Knowledge and Skills
    (1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
    (A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace

Intended Audience:

This game is designed for students in grades 4-6 (ages 9-12). It is particularly useful for:

  • Developing reading comprehension and problem-solving skills
  • Encouraging critical thinking and logical reasoning
  • Engaging students in a narrative-driven educational experience
  • Introducing basic concepts of computer interaction and text parsing

Game Instructions:

  1. Open the HTML file in a web browser to start the game.
  2. Read the introduction on the splash screen and click “Start Adventure” to begin.
  3. You will see a description of your current location and an image representing it.
  4. Type commands into the text input to interact with the game world. Basic commands include:
  • go [direction]: Move in a specified direction (e.g., “go north”)
  • look: Examine your surroundings
  • take [item]: Pick up an item
  • use [item]: Use an item in your inventory
  • inventory: Check what items you’re carrying
  1. Navigate through the space station, collect items, and solve puzzles to progress.
  2. The game ends when you reach the final location or solve the main mystery.

Technical Notes:

  • The game is built using React and runs in the browser without need for compilation.
  • It requires an ‘images’ folder with specific PNG files for each location and the splash screen.
  • The TCEA logo should be placed in the ‘images’ folder as ‘tcealogo.png’.
  • The game logic is contained within a single HTML file for easy distribution and play.

Future Enhancements:

  • Add more locations and puzzles to extend gameplay
  • Implement a scoring system
  • Include audio elements for increased immersion
  • Develop a hint system for players who get stuck

Enjoy exploring and learning with Space Station Adventure!

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AI/VRArtificial IntelligenceCulturally ResponsiveEducational Research

Effective Learning Strategies You Can Use Right Now

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

What effective learning strategies can you enhance with AI tools? Leverage AI to make you a more effective and efficient learner! Let’s take a look at how you learn. Then we’ll try to answer the question, “How can I use AI chatbots to improve my application of those effective learning strategies?” 

Effective Learning Strategies

As an educator (and faithful reader of TCEA TechNotes blog!) you are likely aware of John Hattie’s work. Hattie highlights effective strategies that enjoy a high-effect size. You can see a collection by effect size via the Visible Learning MetaX database. While there are various strategies usable in the classroom, which can your students use on their own?

Author generated image
Author generated image

View full-size | Get a copy via Canva

To answer that question, let’s take a look at a few strategies below. You can leverage these on your own, by yourself, and make your own learning more effective. I’ve condensed these strategies into several groups to help you sift through them. Definitions for each are quoted from the Visible Learning MetaX database and linked, and the effect sizes are current as of September, 2024.

Group #1: Gathering New Learning

  • Strategy to Integrate with Prior Knowledge (0.93). Connecting new info to what you already know. This helps build better mental maps of ideas.
  • Self-directed learning (0.67). You take charge of your own learning. You find info and solve problems with little help from teachers.
  • Concept mapping (0.62). Making visual diagrams of ideas. Show how different pieces of info relate to each other.

Group #2: Thinking About Content

  • Critical thinking (0.84). Use skills like analysis and reasoning. Helps you decide what to believe and why.
  • Metacognition (0.52). Thinking about your own thinking. Includes methods to help you understand how they learn.
  • Questioning (0.49). Asking yourself questions during learning.

Group #3: Maintaining Your Learning

  • Spaced vs massed practice (0.59). Spreading out study over time vs cramming. Spaced practice involves shorter sessions over a longer period.
  • Interleaved practice (0.46). Mixing different types of problems or topics in one study session. Opposite of studying one topic fully before moving to the next.
  • Practice testing (0.49). Also called retrieval practice. Improve long-term memory by practicing recalling information.

Now, imagine if you could use AI chatbots to assist you with implementing these? Let’s put together a plan to use AI chatbots and tools.

Let’s ask ourselves, “What is something I want to learn more about?” Often, topics relevant to our work or activities is the best place to start. For example, I want to learn more about Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. How could I go about doing that?

Group #1: Gathering New Learning

My first step is to ask myself, “What do I already know about this topic?” And make a list. Then provide that list to an AI chatbot to see what questions it could come up with. These questions can help guide my own learning, and identify areas of study.

You can use chatbots in the following three ways to gather new learning ideas and connect ideas to your prior knowledge. That’s important because without a prior knowledge connection, any new ideas won’t stick.

  • Use chatbots to generate questions that connect new topics to your existing knowledge
  • Ask chatbots to create personalized learning plans based on your interests and goals
  • Have chatbots help you create concept maps by suggesting connections between ideas

Here’s what my prompt looks like:

I am interested in learning more about Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. I am basing a lot of my new knowledge on Zaretta Hammond’s book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. Here’s what I already know about this topic:

  • Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a research-based approach to teaching.
  • CRT connects students’ cultures, languages, and life experiences with what they learn in school.
  • Understanding where students are coming from can help me build better relationships with them
  • Building better relationships with students makes them more receptive to learning new things from me.

Could you generate questions that connect Zaretta’s book to what I already know, and create a personalized learning plan based on my interests? Could you also make a mermaid diagram that I can add to over time connecting ideas?

See an example of an AI chatbot results for this prompt.

Group #2: Thinking About Content

Now that you’ve gathered new learning ideas, it’s time to dig deeper into the content. This group of strategies focuses on challenging your assumptions, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging metacognition.

By engaging with chatbots in these ways, you’ll develop a more nuanced understanding of the material. This can assist you as you work to improve your ability to analyze and reflect on complex topics.

  • Ask chatbots to play “devil’s advocate” to challenge your thinking on a topic
  • Use chatbots to explain your learning process back to you, prompting reflection
  • Have chatbots generate thought-provoking questions about the material you’re studying

Sample Prompt

Consider the following as a prompt you can use to think more deeply about content:

You are a critical thinking coach. Analyze my perspective on [topic], then play devil’s advocate to challenge my assumptions. Generate thought-provoking questions that prompt deeper reflection. Finally, explain my thought process back to me, highlighting areas for metacognitive improvement. Let me know when you are ready to question my assumptions in an interactive manner.

Want to see how this plays out in regards to Culturally Responsive Teaching? See results in this Google Doc.

Group #3: Maintaining Your Learning

Learning doesn’t stop once you’ve acquired new knowledge. As you know, it’s an ongoing process. It requires consistent review and practice. Mike Bell (The Fundamentals of Teaching) writes:

We form memories when some of the pathways become strengthened by repeated usage. Repeated stimulation leads to pathways becoming permanently open, known as “long-term potentiation.” It takes about a day for pathways to close.
When we first learn something, our recall can initially be near 100%. Over the next few hours, recall starts to fade. Without repetition, memory strength returns to zero. Repeating the same pathways slows the forgetting process so that after several repetitions, we have good long-term memory.

Getting organized to repeat the same pathways to slow the forgetting process can be a bit of a pain. AI can help with that. This group of strategies leverages chatbots to help you reinforce your learning, improve retention, and integrate knowledge across different subjects.

By implementing these techniques, you’ll create a sustainable learning system that ensures long-term mastery of the material. Please find the three actions below:

  • Use chatbots to create spaced repetition schedules for reviewing material
  • Ask chatbots to generate practice problems that mix different topics you’ve studied
  • Have chatbots quiz you on past material to test your recall and retention

With that in mind, here’s a prompt (see results) you can use to assist you.

Sample Prompt

Here’s a prompt to assist you in maintaining your learning:

You are a personalized learning assistant. Create a spaced repetition schedule for my study topics. Generate practice problems that interleave different subjects I’ve learned. Regularly quiz me on past material to test my recall. Adjust the schedule and problem difficulty based on my performance.

One Final Takeaway

The key is using the AI tools to support and enhance your learning strategies, not replace your own thinking and effort. Chatbots can help make the strategies more engaging and personalized.

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