#21. Be Creative with Everyday AI Tools

This blogpost may be of interest to educators who want to think more deeply about how to integrate non-academic and non-educational AI tools into their portfolio of teaching and learning activities.



Artificial Intelligence (AI) has, over the last year in particular, become widely-known and discussed. There is a growing number of AI-powered tools that are being introduced for everyday use and their potential in education should not be ignored. Elementary through tertiary educators can utilize these tools in various subjects to create engaging and impactful learning experiences for their students. As educators in the past decade previously took everyday tools such as Google Maps and Earth to create engaging lesson materials across a variety of subjects from Maths to Science to Geography, History and even Literature, it seems now that we can apply this idea of thinking outside the box in terms of the waves of new AI tools which are now proliferating.

An obvious example of an AI-powered tool that educators and students can use in their classrooms is OpenAI. This program offers a wide range of potential applications for educators, including automated grading systems and personalized learning plans. The AI within the program allows educators to identify where students are struggling and adjust their teaching approach accordingly. OpenAI can also help educators identify which students may be at risk of falling behind and offer more personalized attention to those students. But everyone has heard of OpenAI now and everyone knows that it can have a huge impact on the field of education and training...

But what about other new AI-powered tools which we may not at first consider useful? 

Sometimes it is useful for educators to think outside the box in their approach to these new AI-powered tools. While some tools may seem initially useless or unrelated to education, they may offer powerful benefits to teachers and their students when utilized in innovative ways. For instance, an AI-powered chatbot designed for customer service may be repurposed for use in learning activities. Educators who take the time to explore the full range of available AI-powered tools will be more capable of creating unique and immersive learning experiences that foster creativity and critical thinking.

As just one example, check out this Interior Design app I repurposed for an EFL Prepositions of Place review lesson activity, here in this video:



So, educators, what new, random, everyday AI and tech tools might you repurpose for your classroom or staffroom needs?


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