Are you looking for a way to add some fun and excitement to your homeschooling routine? If so, you may want to consider ChatGPT. This artificial intelligence-powered tool can help make learning more interactive and engaging for both you and your children.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to use ChatGPT in your homeschool so that everyone can benefit from its features. Who knows, maybe even you’ll enjoy using it as much as your kids!
Looking for more information about homeschool edtech? Check out these articles: Homeschooling with Technology and How to Supercharge Your Homeschool with AI.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT by OpenAI is a generative text-based artificial intelligence (AI) system that allows users to input written prompts into a chat box and receive human-like responses or outputs.
Unlike other AI systems, ChatGPT does not just give predetermined answers but instead uses natural language processing to find patterns in the user’s input and generate a response that is human-like.
This makes it possible for users to have meaningful conversations with AI and explore topics from any angle. With its ability to learn more as it interacts with people, ChatGPT continuously improves its output over time.
The benefits of using ChatGPT in your homeschool.
ChatGPT is an excellent tool for both parents and kids to use. The AI program allows parents to generate ideas and help them customize lessons for their children’s individual needs.
It can also be used by kids as a text-based AI tutor who can give students personalized feedback and help them with their studies; that’s the capability ChatGPT provides and why Khan Academy has teamed up with OpenAI to create Khanmigo – an AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant.
Currently (as of March 2023), in its beta phase, parents can sign up to test out Khanmigo to see how it can be used by both students and teachers.
OpenAI has also teamed up with Duolingo to offer Duonlingo Max, a subscription tier above Super Duolingo that gives access to “Explain My Answer” and “Roleplay.”
“Explain My Answer” allows users to ask why their answer was wrong or right and give feedback as well.
While “Roleplay” allows the user to practice real-world conversations in their language of study with AI-generated characters.
How to set up ChatGPT for you and your homeschooler
ChatGPT can be a helpful addition to your homeschool, and setting up is easy; you only need to sign up with an email address for a free account.
Or, you can try ChatGPT Plus for $20/month. The Plus version has more accurate and detailed outputs (that aren’t offensive) and can accept visual inputs and longer context. You’ll also have priority access to new features before it’s released to free subscribers.
Either version you choose, you’ll be amazed by the capabilities of this incredible tool.
How to get the most out of ChatGPT for your homeschool
First, trust your instincts and use ChatGPT in a way that works best for you and your family. Then experiment – ask different questions and reword phrases to get the best output for your needs. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Finally, remember that there’s more than one way to approach a topic.
Don’t forget that ChatGPT is no substitute for a human teacher or tutor. Parents should use ChatGPT as a supplemental tool to help their children learn and grow. It’s also essential to monitor your child’s use of ChatGPT and ensure they are not relying too heavily on the AI model.
Limitations to using ChatGPT
While ChatGPT can be engaging and give surprisingly good conversations on almost any topic, it does have its limitations.
Despite the model’s impressive ability to generate replies with “flexibility and fluidity,” sometimes reality slips through the cracks, resulting in strange historical names or books made up of thin air – or even unsolved math problems!
However, with ChatGPT Plus, there is a 40% improvement in producing factual output compared to the free version. And that number will only improve over time as more data and computation is added into the system.
Prompts to help you start using ChatGPT in your homeschool
ChatGPT is an excellent addition to your homeschooling toolbelt! Here are some prompts and ideas to get you started:
Students can ask ChatGPT to:
- Create a list of outdoor activities for teens who like nature.
- Write a play in the style of Shakespeare with parts for everyone in the family.
- Write a poem on any topic. You can even specify what type of poem, such as a sonnet, haiku, or limerick.
- Write a short story about a cowboy and a mouse to read out loud.
- Write a song on any topic.
- Help build a setting and campaign for Dungeons and Dragons. It can even generate monster stat blocks if needed. Seriously, it’s pretty detailed!
- Ask what America would be like today if Britain had won the Revolutionary War.
- Ask who is someone we don’t talk about often during Asian American History month.
- Suggest a craft project by using materials you have around the house. You would need to list the materials that you do have. Remember, the more specific, the better the output!
- Recommend a movie in the sci-fi genre that was made before 1990.
- Generate a two-minute stand-up comedy routine about a dog and a chicken.
- Ask ChatGPT to provide suggestions for grammar or sentence structure by copying and pasting a piece of text.
- Ask for feedback on an essay. It will most likely be general, but it’s a great start when they begin editing!
- Ask for help generating ideas or brainstorming topics.
- Make a statement and ask ChatGPT to refute the idea.
- Ask for help or clarification on a topic.
Parents can ask ChatGPT to:
- Write personalized lesson plans. Remember, the more specific you are, the better the output! I just typed in “Create a 1st-grade science lesson plan about how the water cycle works,” and it generated a full 12-step lesson with an objective, materials needed, activity, and assessment.
- Create outlines for unit studies or deep dives. Friends, this is a time-saver and game-changer! I don’t think I need to buy curricula anymore 😳.
- Generate ideas for activities. I asked ChatGPT to give me fun activities we can do for our butterfly unit study, and it gave me 12 really good ideas that I plan on using.
- Generate writing prompts that are topic specific or based on your children’s interests.
- Create writing samples with grammatical errors that your kids can revise.
- Create discussion questions for books and movies.
Teach Digital Literacy
Boost your kids’ research game by asking ChatGPT to generate a response to their question, and then let the evaluation fun begin! 💡
Have your kids put their Sherlock Holmes hats on and use the CRAAP test to dig into the AI-generated info, checking how current, relevant, authoritative, accurate, and purposeful it is. 🔎
Now, see how ChatGPT’s response stands up against other online sources. Less-than-perfect spots? Time to wave those red flags! 🚩
This engaging, interactive process will help your kids sharpen their detective skills, catching biases and inaccuracies lurking in the online world.
Final Thoughts
ChatGPT is an incredibly versatile tool that can significantly benefit homeschooling parents and their children. From answering specific questions and providing educational resources to developing lesson plans and creating personalized learning experiences, ChatGPT offers a wide range of capabilities that can help supplement a child’s education.
Homeschooling parents can leverage ChatGPT’s vast knowledge and resources to create a well-rounded and engaging learning experience for their children. By incorporating ChatGPT into their homeschooling curriculum, parents can enhance their child’s education and help them develop a love of learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.
However, it’s crucial that we keep in mind that all AI-powered tools are precisely that, tools. They are not a replacement for a human, and we should keep a vigilant eye out for inaccuracies and social biases when using them.
Want to dive deeper into Homeschool EdTech? I’m here to help you – let’s chat!
Xuan Klevecka is a Southern California-based homeschool mom, wife, and Holistic Homeschool Mindset Coach. She’s an Enneagram 5w4, a lover of good food, and a former middle school history teacher. You’ll either find her looking at road maps and daydreaming about her family’s next epic adventure or perusing recipes and cooking up a feast for the brood.
