101. The Transformative Power of AI

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Folks, let’s face it. Our classrooms are going to look a little different this year. AI, specifically ChatGPT, is going to change the way we design learning experiences and assess student mastery. I’ll be honest, when I first explored the ChatGPT platform I was terrified. As I have dug deeper into the technology and its capabilities, I realized that while it does pose significant challenges — it also presents us with some pretty amazing opportunities. In this series, we will explore what AI is capable of, its implications in the classroom, and how it can benefit both teachers and students. Let’s start by examining where we have been, where we are currently, and looking forward to where we are going. Whether this is a trip you wanted to go on or not, the AI train has left the station and it is time for all of us to jump on board. From Card Catalogs to Artificial Intelligence I belong to the micro-generation called Xennial. Xennials are considered to be a “bridge” between Generation X a
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#42. Growth through Virtues

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The end of first semester is just a few weeks away.  By the end of the semester, my students will have been remote learners for a total of 16 weeks.  Although, I have been really impressed with the grit and fortitude that they have displayed, I have noticed that as the weeks progress they become more and more disheartened. About 50% of my students are seniors and they really miss being in the school building. With this is mind, I decided to end my semester on a high note and provide them with the opportunity to recognize what they have accomplished this semester, celebrate who they are as individuals, and identify a strength-based path forward.

https://images.app.goo.gl/h5nhWTJauJhbk8jb6
According to Positive Psychology, character strengths are an integral part of achieving well-being. They are positive attributes of our personality that help us survive and thrive. There are 24 different strengths organized under the following six umbrella virtues: Creativity, Curiosity, Judgement, Love of Learning, and Perspective. We possess all of these strengths to some extent. 

Research shows that understanding and purposefully applying them can help:

  • Boost Confidence
  • Increase Happiness
  • Strengthen Relationships
  • Manage Problems
  • Reduce Stress
  • Accomplish Goals
  • Build Meaning and Purpose
  • Improve Work Performance
I believe that all of my students need these benefits, especially this year!  Source: https://www.viacharacter.org/

What are some ways to incorporate character strengths into the classroom? I like to start by having my students identify their top five strengths using the VIA Youth Inventory. This link will take them to the homepage. The students will need to choose the YOUTH SURVEY Form.  It will take about 20 minutes for them to complete. Once they have identified their strengths, I like to ask them to reflect upon them by asking questions like these from the VIA Institute on Character.
  • How do the results fit for you? What is your gut reaction?
  • What surprises you most about the results?
  • Do the top five resonate for you as signature strengths? In other words, do you feel these are the core of who you are and that the strengths give you energy when you practice them?
  • When have you used that strength in the past (curiosity, fairness)?
  • When you think about a time when you were functioning at your best, which strengths did you use?
  • When you think of a time when you were anxious, depressed, or highly stressed, which strengths did you use to move forward?
  • Consider your past or current mentors (or role models or paragons). What strengths did they embody? How did they express them?
This set of questions requires the students to not only consider how their strengths have helped them in the past but how they can use their strengths in the future. I think it is important and empowering to learn how to grow during times of adversity and 2020 has certainly been challenging! Specifically, I ask them to explain how their strengths have helped them in the last 6 months AND how those strengths will help them in the next six months. Here's a copy of the directions that I provide the students. They will have (2) 45 minute periods to complete it.

Other learning experiences could include...

1. Visual Representation: Consider having them design a visual representation of their top five strengths. I love the idea of the students creating a "shield" because their strengths can offer them protection against the stresses of the world.

2. Collaborative Opportunity: Ask the students to group together based on their strengths and to create a presentation to share with their peers. It can include descriptors, graphics, examples of the strength or people that embody it.  If you are teaching remotely, the students can collaborate in break out rooms or using a shared slide deck.

3. Class Padlet: Provide students with the opportunity to share their top strength with the class on Padlet. I love the idea of having a class "brag board!"

4. Character Analysis: The VIA Character Strengths provide a great common language across different disciplines. It provides an excellent framework to discuss characters in books and movies, as well as historical and contemporary public figures.

5. Strength Wall: I got the following idea from a podcast episode which featured Anne Johnstone. Johnstone is the Principal at Ravenswood School for Girls, one of the premier schools in Australia implementing the positive education model. She built a Strength Wall at the school where students and faculty could recognize when other people were using their character strengths. For example, "Mrs. Schwarzrock was very perseverant today when her audio didn't work in class and her Zoom crashed."

6. Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens: I referenced this resource a few weeks ago during my post about gratitude. The first lesson of this unit does an excellent job of explaining what character strengths are and how they help wellbeing. It also has the slides prepared and ready to go! https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC_Gratitude_Curriculum_MS_HS.pdf

There is also an Adult VIA survey available. I HIGHLY suggest that you take it. For example, I learned that my top strengths are perseverance, perspective, love, humility and leadership. I have found knowing my strengths to be very empowering. I feel like I have a little more control in a world that is topsy-turvey.

Last Post: Using Cognitive Load Theory to Design Effective Online Instruction
Next Post: The Case for Mastery Checks

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