Unleashing the Potential of Large Language Models in the Classroom: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers

# I have noticed a lack of coverage on proactively using large language models in the classroom (as opposed to the level of attention given to using the tools for plagiarism). To help fill the gap, what follows is a conversation between me and ChatGPT on this exact topic. My prompts are in bold, and I have edited the conversation for clarity.

I have noticed quite a bit of coverage addressing the possible dangers of large language models being used for plagiarism in schools, but I have seen much less about how large language models, such as yourself, can be used positively in education.

Yes, it’s true that there have been concerns about the potential for language models like myself to be used for unethical purposes, such as plagiarism. However, there are also many positive ways in which language models can be used in education to enhance the learning experience and help students achieve their goals. Here are a few examples:

1. Writing Assistance: Language models can assist students with writing assignments by providing suggestions for grammar, style, and content. This can help students improve their writing skills and become more confident and effective communicators.
2. Question Answering: Language models can be used to answer questions and provide explanations on a wide range of topics, from science and math to history and literature. This can help students quickly find the information they need to complete assignments and better understand course material.
3. Language Learning: Language models can be used to support language learning by providing examples of sentence structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This can be particularly helpful for students who are learning a new language, as it can provide them with exposure to real-world language usage.
4. Personalized Learning: By analyzing student data, language models can be used to create personalized learning experiences that adapt to each student’s individual needs and learning style. This can help students stay engaged and motivated, and can lead to improved outcomes.
5. Tutoring: Language models can be used as virtual tutors, providing students with one-on-one support and feedback as they work through assignments and learn new material. This can help students overcome challenges and improve their understanding of complex concepts.

Overall, there are many potential benefits to using language models in education, and I believe that they have the potential to greatly enhance the learning experience for students of all ages and backgrounds.

Image created with Midjourney using the prompt: “A classroom full of joyful, engaged, inspired children using futuristic technology with their teacher.”

Thanks for this list. I am specifically interested in how large language models can be used to address education gaps, especially for underprivileged and underserved groups.

Yes, using large language models to address education gaps is a very important and promising area. Here are a few ways in which language models can be used to support underprivileged and underserved groups in education:

1. Access to Information: Many underprivileged and underserved communities lack access to educational resources, such as textbooks, libraries, and internet access. Language models can provide students with access to information and knowledge on a wide range of topics, helping to bridge the gap between students who have access to resources and those who do not.
2. Personalized Learning: As I mentioned earlier, language models can be used to create personalized learning experiences that adapt to each student’s individual needs and learning style. This can be especially beneficial for students from underprivileged and underserved communities, who may not have access to individualized support and attention in the classroom.
3. Language Support: Language models can be used to support students who are learning English as a second language, or who are struggling with language barriers in their education. By providing access to information and personalized feedback, language models can help these students improve their language skills and better understand course material.
4. Career Preparation: Language models can be used to provide students with information and guidance on a wide range of careers, including job requirements, salaries, and training programs. This can help students from underprivileged and underserved communities explore and prepare for careers that they may not have otherwise known about.
5. Digital Literacy: In today’s increasingly digital world, it is important for all students to have access to technology and digital skills. Language models can be used to provide students with information and support on a wide range of digital literacy skills, such as coding, computer programming, and online safety.

Overall, language models can play a valuable role in addressing education gaps and supporting underprivileged and underserved groups in their learning and development. By providing access to information, personalized support, and career preparation, language models have the potential to help level the playing field and provide opportunities for students who may not have had them otherwise.

This is great, thank you. Can you please provide more detail on your first point? I imagine large language models will be very helpful as a replacement for resources such as high-quality textbooks and subscription-based eLearning platforms.

This great. My major concern here, though, is false information. Large language models can often sound very confident, even if they’re wrong. How can we use large language models when there is a potential for their responses to be factually incorrect? How can educators mitigate this issue?

To address your concern, here are a few ways that educators can mitigate the potential for language models to provide false information in the classroom:

1. Teach Media Literacy: By teaching students how to evaluate the credibility of sources and identify false information, educators can help students become more discerning consumers of information. This includes teaching students about the importance of fact-checking, as well as how to assess the quality of sources and the reliability of information.
2. Encourage Active Learning: Rather than relying solely on language models for information, educators can encourage students to engage in active learning by conducting their own research, analyzing data, and seeking out multiple sources of information. This can help students develop critical thinking skills and a more nuanced understanding of the material.
3. Use Language Models as a Starting Point: While language models can be a valuable resource for students, it’s important to view their responses as a starting point rather than the final word. Educators can encourage students to verify information provided by language models, and to seek out additional information from other sources, such as textbooks, academic journals, or subject matter experts.
4. Foster a Culture of Questioning: By fostering a culture of questioning and skepticism in the classroom, educators can encourage students to think critically about the information they receive and to challenge false or misleading information. This can involve activities such as debates, group discussions, and critical analysis of information and arguments.

Overall, there are several ways that educators can mitigate the potential for language models to provide false information in the classroom. By teaching media literacy, encouraging active learning, using language models as a starting point, and fostering a culture of questioning, educators can help students develop the skills and critical thinking they need to become discerning consumers of information and to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

Thanks for this. Now to make things a bit more practical, please provide a detailed lesson plan for a middle school science teacher, making sure to incorporate the use of a large language model, such as ChatGPT, by the students.

Certainly! Here’s a detailed lesson plan for a middle school science teacher that incorporates the use of a large language model like ChatGPT:

Lesson Title: Investigating the Solar System

Objectives:

• Students will use a large language model to gather information about the planets in our solar system.
• Students will analyze and compare information about the different planets to develop a deeper understanding of their characteristics and differences.
• Students will use their understanding of the planets to create a multimedia presentation, incorporating text, images, and videos.

Materials:

• Computers or other devices with internet access
• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Presentation software (e.g. Google Slides, PowerPoint)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes): The teacher will introduce the lesson by asking students what they know about the planets in our solar system. The teacher will then explain that in this lesson, students will use a large language model to gather information about the planets and to create a multimedia presentation.
2. Gather Information (30 minutes): Students will use a large language model, such as ChatGPT, to gather information about the planets in our solar system. Students will be given a list of questions to ask the language model, such as:

• What are the names of the planets in our solar system?
• What are the key characteristics of each planet?
• What is the average temperature of each planet?
• What is the size of each planet compared to Earth?
• What are some interesting facts about each planet?

1. Analyze and Compare Information (30 minutes): After gathering information about the planets, students will work in pairs or small groups to analyze and compare the information they have received. They will create a chart or table to compare the key characteristics of each planet, such as size, temperature, and atmosphere.
2. Create Presentation (30 minutes): Using the information they have gathered and analyzed, students will create a multimedia presentation to showcase their understanding of the planets in our solar system. The presentation should include text, images, and videos to provide a comprehensive overview of the key characteristics and differences of each planet.
3. Share Presentations (20 minutes): Students will present their presentations to the class, and the teacher will lead a discussion to compare the different presentations and to highlight interesting findings.

Assessment:

• Students will be assessed on the quality of their presentation, including the accuracy and completeness of the information they have gathered, their ability to analyze and compare information, and the effectiveness of their presentation style.
• The teacher may also provide a written assessment, such as a quiz or written reflection, to evaluate students’ understanding of the material.

Conclusion: This lesson provides an opportunity for students to use a large language model to gather information and to develop a deeper understanding of the planets in our solar system. By working in pairs or small groups, students will have the chance to collaborate and to share their findings with their classmates. The use of multimedia presentations will also help students to develop their digital literacy skills and to present their understanding in a creative and engaging way.

Great! Now provide a plan for another lesson, for the same science classroom, meant to precede this lesson. This lesson should specifically teach students best practices for using language models in the classroom, making sure to include a process for checking the accuracy of the responses provided by the language model.

Certainly! Here are the detailed steps for how students can evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information received from a large language model:

1. Check Multiple Sources: One of the simplest ways to evaluate the accuracy of information received from a language model is to compare it to information from other sources, such as textbooks, academic journals, or news articles. If there are discrepancies between the information received from the language model and other sources, this may indicate that the information is unreliable.
2. Look for Credible Sources: When evaluating information, it’s important to consider the credibility of the sources used by. This can involve checking the author or publisher of the information, as well as the date of publication. Information from reputable sources, such as government websites or academic journals, is generally more reliable than information from less credible sources, such as personal blogs or Wikipedia.
3. Consider the Context: It’s also important to consider the context in which the information was received. For example, information received from a language model in response to a general question may be less reliable than information received in response to a more specific question. Additionally, information received from a language model trained on a specific topic or field may be more reliable than information received from a general-purpose language model.
4. Check for Bias: Information received from a language model may be biased, depending on the sources used to train the model and the specific questions being asked. To evaluate the accuracy of information received, students should consider any potential biases and compare information from multiple sources to get a more complete and balanced understanding of the topic.
5. Consult an Expert: If students are unsure about the accuracy of the information received from a language model, they can consult an expert or specialist in the field to verify the information. This could involve reaching out to a teacher, librarian, or other knowledgeable individual who can provide additional information and guidance.

By following these steps, students can evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information received from a large language model and develop a more nuanced understanding of the topic. Additionally, by considering the credibility of sources, the context in which the information was received, and the potential for bias, students can become more discerning consumers of information and better prepared to navigate the complex and ever-changing world of information.

Great! Please provide detailed steps for how students will check multiple sources.

Certainly! Here are the detailed steps for how students can check multiple sources when evaluating the accuracy of information received from a large language model:

1. Identify Relevant Sources: Students should identify a range of relevant sources that can provide information on the topic they are researching. This could include textbooks, academic journals, government websites, news articles, and other reliable sources of information.
2. Search for Information: Students should search for information on the topic using a variety of sources, including the language model and the other sources they have identified. They should be sure to carefully review each source to gather as much information as possible.
3. Compare Information: Students should compare the information received from the language model to the information from other sources, paying close attention to any discrepancies or differences. They should look for similarities and differences in the information, as well as any patterns or trends that emerge.
4. Evaluate Reliability: Students should evaluate the reliability of each source based on its credibility, accuracy, and the context in which the information was received. They should also consider any potential biases or limitations of each source, and compare the information from multiple sources to get a more complete and balanced understanding of the topic.
5. Draw Conclusions: Based on their comparisons and evaluations, students should draw conclusions about the accuracy and reliability of the information received from the language model. They should also consider the limitations of the information and any additional information that might be necessary to get a more complete understanding of the topic.

By following these steps, students can check multiple sources and evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information received from a large language model. By comparing information from multiple sources and considering the credibility, accuracy, and context of each source, students can develop a more nuanced and informed understanding of the topic. Additionally, by drawing conclusions and considering the limitations of the information, students can become more discerning consumers of information and better prepared to navigate the complex and ever-changing world of information.

This is excellent, thank you!

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any other questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Actually, there is one more thing — I’d like you to please provide a bit of inspiration for teachers who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by what can seem to be the daunting task of incorporating large language models in the classroom.

Certainly! Here are a few ideas to help inspire teachers who are feeling overwhelmed by the task of incorporating large language models in the classroom:

1. Start Small: Incorporating a large language model into the classroom doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Teachers can start small by using a language model for simple tasks, such as answering factual questions or helping with research. As teachers and students become more comfortable with the technology, they can gradually expand its use to more complex tasks and projects.
2. Collaborate with Colleagues: Incorporating a large language model into the classroom is often more manageable when teachers collaborate with their colleagues. Teachers can work together to share best practices, resources, and ideas for using language models in the classroom. Collaborating with colleagues can also provide a sense of community and support, and can help to ease the burden of incorporating new technology into the classroom.
3. Focus on the Benefits: It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges of incorporating a large language model into the classroom. However, it’s important to keep in mind the many benefits that language models can offer, such as increased access to information, improved research skills, and enhanced digital literacy. By focusing on the benefits of the technology, teachers can remain inspired and motivated to continue incorporating language models into their lessons.
4. Embrace Flexibility: Incorporating a large language model into the classroom requires a certain level of flexibility and adaptability. Teachers should be open to experimenting with new approaches and to modifying their lessons as needed. By embracing flexibility, teachers can find new and innovative ways to use language models to enhance their lessons and to support student learning.
5. Celebrate Success: Finally, it’s important to celebrate success when incorporating a large language model into the classroom. Teachers should take time to reflect on their successes and to share their experiences with their colleagues. Celebrating success can help to build confidence and to inspire other teachers to explore the use of language models in their own classrooms.

By starting small, collaborating with colleagues, focusing on the benefits, embracing flexibility, and celebrating success, teachers can find inspiration and motivation to incorporate large language models into their lessons and to support student learning.

# As mentioned at the top of this article, this was a conversation between me and ChatGPT. (https://chat.openai.com/). Any text written by me is in bold or preceded by a hashtag. I hope this article has benefitted you and look forward to continuing this conversation.