ELA Summer Camp: Using Artificial Intelligence Like ChatGPT as a Writing Tool

ChatGPT is a powerful language model that can be a useful tool in ELA and writing. It can generate text based on prompts, allowing students to explore different ideas and perspectives. ChatGPT can also analyze and evaluate texts, helping students to identify areas for improvement in their writing. By using ChatGPT to improve sentence structure and grammar, students can develop their writing skills and increase their overall fluency. Additionally, ChatGPT can be used for creative writing prompts, inspiring students to explore their creativity and expand their vocabulary. Overall, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for ELA and writing, helping students to develop their writing skills and explore new perspectives.

We will address all of this and more in this ethical, no cheating approach to adding ChatGPT to our writing (and life) toolbox. 


Here is the schedule:

Day 1: Intro to ChatGPT
Objective: Students will understand what ChatGPT is and how it can be used as a tool to improve writing.

Discussion and explanation:
Have you ever used any type of writing tool before?
What is ChatGPT?
Have you used it before? If so, what for?
How can it help to improve the way we write?
How do you expect the texts it produces to be (For example: Written like an expert? Mediocre? Containing some serious faults?)

Demonstration while screen sharing:
-Asking it for prompt ideas
-Asking it to create prompt responses
-Showing how subsequent questions and rewording can improve responses
-Using ChatGPT to Improve Sentences
-Discuss the generated improvements and how they can be applied to other sentences.

Practice and sharing:
Learners will get a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the AI. They will have the opportunity to use it to generate writing prompts and responses as well as to share these responses with the class. 

Reflection:
-Revisit the discussion questions from the beginning of class
-Indicate how responses can be improved and any faults they may have
-Discuss how ChatGPT can be used to improve writing




Day 2: 
Using ChatGPT to help generate ideas
Analyzing and Evaluating Texts Generated by ChatGPT
Using ChatGPT as a tool for editing and revising
Objectives: 
Students will learn how to analyze and evaluate texts generated by ChatGPT.
Learners will learn how to use ChatGPT as a writing tool, specifically for revising and focusing on their own unique challenges


Analyzing and Evaluating Texts Generated by ChatGPT:
-Provide students with different texts generated by ChatGPT
-Ask students to analyze the texts and identify areas that could be improved
-Ask students to evaluate the texts generated by ChatGPT based on specific criteria (e.g. clarity, coherence, grammar, etc.)

Submitting Text to ChatGPT for Revision
-We will submit a prewritten text (provided by me) to ChatGPT and ask for suggestions and specific revisions, such improving clarity and flow, conciseness, or imagery. 
-We will discuss the results

Generating Ideas Together
-Ask ChatGPT to provide prompt ideas related to a specific topic
-Use ChatGPT to generate ideas related to a prompt
-Inspiration: Ask others and ChatGPT to provide plot ideas related to a specific topic 
-Writer's block: Ask others and ChatGPT for suggestions for certain plot devices

Reflection
Ask learners to reflect on what they learned from analyzing and evaluating texts generated by ChatGPT and how they can apply this knowledge to their own writing.





Day 3: Put it to Practice in Writing
Goal: Learners will apply their newfound knowledge and write something of their choice- a fictional story, news article, blog entry, social media post, screenplay, advertisement- the end product is their choice. 

Writing (independently) (25 minutes)
-Learners will write and use the AI (and myself) to help if they get stuck or confused. 

Revising (independently) (10 minutes)
-Learners will revise and edit their writing on their own
-Learners will submit their writing into ChatGPT and ask for it for suggestions
-Learners may make more changes at this time

Sharing (The last 5 to 10 minutes of class)
-Learners can, but do not have to, share their finished product with the class
-Learners will discuss the changes suggested by ChatGPT and how they decided whether or not to implement them

Closing Reflection
-Learners will reflect on what they have learned and discuss their thoughts about the AI and how they may use it in the future.