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🌿 ammi.ai: Back-to-School Edition

+ how teachers feel about AI in the classroom

Author

Ruqaiya
July 31, 2024

In partnership with

🔔 School is almost back in session!

I’ve been out of the school game since I graduated college [redacted] years ago. How AI is being used - or will be used - in the classroom and lecture hall is admittedly a blind spot for me.

I can't help but wonder (and worry) about how AI will shape my kids' education. ChatGPT came out before my little ones even started kindergarten, so it will be amongst the most ancient tech they'll be exposed to.

It will be like their Ask Jeeves 🤯 

I am embarking on a journey to understand the future of education with AI, and I hope you will join me!

🌿 Let’s grow!

Today’s ammi.ai is brought to you by:

Looking for an activity that will engage and entertain the whole family? Check-out Popcorn Brainstorm! Jokes & Trivia for Kids, the chart-topping Kids & Family podcast from Netflix. Featuring trivia, games and jokes from your kids’ favorite Netflix films and series, Popcorn Brainstorm explores and quizzes listeners on Leo, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Dragon Prince, and many others!

Apple Sauce: the ‘sauce’ - or overview - of AI apps you may find useful.

A llama-zing AI tutor

Today’s apple: Llama Tutor

If you have young preschool-aged children at peak curiosity levels, you are probably bombarded with hundreds of questions a day.

If your children are in school, you’re likely the default homework support and tutor, sometimes having to explain concepts you’re revisiting after a decade or two.

If you’re a human on this earth, there is always a need to learn continuously.

Llama Tutor is a free AI tool powered by the latest Llama 3.1 model by Meta. You can enter any concept you’d like to learn about and select the education level - elementary, middle school, high school, undergrad, or graduate - you’d like it explained.

Llama Tutor home page

An example of a Llama Tutor explanation.

My favorite feature is that Llama Tutor surfaces the sources used to generate the explanation in a right-hand pane, allowing users to easily drill deeper into the topic.

I’ve used Llama Tutor to explain:

  • Roblox, to myself

  • the Olympics, to my preschooler

  • the Human Brain, to my preschooler

  • Political systems and parties of different countries, at a high level, to myself

and much more.

Whether you’re teaching or learning, Llama Tutor might be helpful to you!

Planting the Seed: explore AI topics and headlines in simple language.

Teachers on AI in the Classroom

Last October, Forbes Advisor surveyed 500 teachers across the United States about their experiences with AI in the classroom.

First, here are some of the ways AI is currently being used in the classroom, and this is likely to evolve and expand with time:

  • Smart Learning Games: Use AI to make fun games that help kids learn specific things.

  • Personal Learning Tools: Create custom activities for each student and give quick feedback on how they're doing.

  • Auto-Grading Systems: Help teachers save time by grading papers and doing paperwork automatically.

  • Helpful School Chatbots: Answer students' questions about joining schools, classes, and how to study better.

  • AI Tutors: Give students one-on-one help in subjects like math and languages, with very human-like, natural language.

Key insights from the survey

💡 More than half (55%) of the teachers who responded to Forbes Advisor’s survey said they believe AI has had a positive effect on the teaching and learning process.

💡 60% of educators use AI in their classrooms. Younger teachers are more likely to adopt AI tools.

💡Teachers use AI-powered educational games more often than any other AI tools.

💡Academic dishonesty tops the list of educators' concerns about AI in education.

💡Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents identified a need for at least some education on ethical AI usage. More than 60% recommended comprehensive education.

💡Most teachers surveyed expect AI to keep influencing future classrooms, but most do not see it taking center stage.

When it comes to AI in education, taking educators' concerns, observations, and needs into account will be key in ensuring AI augments education but does not overshadow it.

Fruitful Harvest: fresh AI fruits from the community garden.

Here are a couple of fresh picks for you!

🍐 AI-powered Homeschool For Toddler Parents

Although I have no experience homeschooling, I turned to AI to help me build a very simple, low-pressure curriculum to offer some structured learning for my little one this summer. Check it out!

🍇 AI Guidance and Insights for Educators

Learning with Purpose is a newsletter that offers insights and guidance on AI for educators. This 3-part series is a good place to start.

🍉 ChatGPT Transforms a Classroom

Hear from an English teacher in Oregon about how ChatGPT is transforming her classroom — for the better.

Cultivating Conversation: your insights nourish the ammi.ai garden.

Is AI being used in your/your child's classroom?

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See y’all soon!
Ruqaiya
Ammi by day, Ammi by night

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