This week we learned about GenAI. We discussed the positives along with the negatives and how GenAI affects different age groups in a classroom setting. GenAI could be useful if you are using it for the right things.

We talked about how it works. GenAI produces results based on the amount of data that it has accumulated in different areas. This results in limitations on what GenAI is able to do for us. It can pick up fake news and misinformation when it is accumulating its data. For example, GenAI struggles with math problems due to the complexity. Past history has shown that when giving an AI a word problem they can come up with something that has nothing to do with the problem itself. another possible negative could be in a classroom setting where students get a hold of this technology in means to use it for cheating on assignments. I have specifically seen this done with writing assignments likes essays or math problems. When students use this in hopes to get things done faster and “easier” it often turns into a negative result like a lower grade.

Although there are some negatives when working with technology like GenAI, it can have its positives as well. This could be beneficial in a classroom setting with younger students when a teacher is trying to create lesson plans. It could also help students and teachers generate base ideas that the teacher and the students can elaborate form afterwards.

After class I took some time looking into Generative AI some more. I found this website https://itrexgroup.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-generative-ai/. This website talks about the benefits, challenges and limitations of using generative AI. I found some concepts that didn’t get talked about in class as much like the positives of AI including enhanced creativity and cost optimization. The challenges and limitations that I read about in this website were all spoken upon during class on Friday but this reading helped me learn about it in more detail.

This week we learned about multimedia design principles. We learned the benefits of using visual along with auditorial engagement. As long as we as teachers don’t overload our learners with too much multimedia in your videos/ slide presentations etc. then this theory should be effective. When a learner receives a visual and an auditorial lesson at the same time it helps the reader understand what is being represented. when there is too much text or non relevant photos included in a lesson, it can direct or disengage the students you are trying to teach.

We also looked into H5P interactive tool. This tool can help us create interactive videos to add to our blog posts as well as in slides for a classroom. This interactive tool adds things like replay and skipping forwards into the video itself. This interactive tool could be useful with the right age group. For example the ability to reply, or skip forwards helps the learners work at their own pace and be able to re listen or watch to refresh the activity. If this is used with the wrong age group, it can have more of a negative impact on the lesson. As stated before students can become distracted.

Another thing we looked into was a flipped classroom. A flipped classroom is possible but not gaurnteed to be effective in younger aged students. For example, in a grade 3 classroom it could work as long as it works for all the learners and is done in a simpler stance compared to older age students. I do think that this idea would be more effective in older aged classroom where students can work more effienctly in groups to reach specific conclusions. Students have many different learning styles that work for them. If a flipped classroom style is one of them then there would be lots more hands-on learning opportunities for students. When teaching a lesson whether it be reading, writing, or math, these subjects need to be more interactive. This could include videos, conversation and for example math games.  There are pros and cons to this approach. I definitely feel like it would be harder in a younger classroom just because they may not understand things without a more direct approach. But, it could be good to capture another aspect/ way of learning.

For this weeks reflection I created a tutorial video on how to play Papa’s Cupcakeria!

While watching this video it was neat to see how the education world has changed and improved throughout time. I do believe that we as future teachers need to reimagine education. This is not a change that can happen in a day but with trial and error this is a change that could have many benefits to the future generations. Something we need to keep in mind is that something that may work for one person may not work for another. We need diversity in our ways of teaching along with our teaching environments.

As I reflected before, change may not be able to happen right away. There will be obstacles that educators need to get through in order to change the pedagogy. New ways of thinking are a part of the unknown, they are experimental. Parents and authorities may not agree with this change but over time the positives will be revealed, it just takes time.

A learning plan approach can be scary as it is less structured and new! On the flip side, learning plans give new outlooks on teaching and learning ideas. The idea of trying new things like not doing written, multiple choice exams and instead finding better ways to show off the students capabilities is a lot more beneficial for both the student and their educator. Parts of this movie reminded me of our own seminar meetings. When everyone was sharing what they were thinking and everyone was learning from each other. When students get the opportunity to share what they are thinking on their own terms and are in encouraged to, it helps them become more confident in themselves.