I’ve been experimenting with using artificial intelligence apps to help me format documents. Here is a description of the process I went through.
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Oulipo flyer screenshot, by Terry Freedman
I used Claude to help me write a blurb for my course
In a couple of weeks’ time I shall be teaching a course called Creative Writing Using Constraints, at the City Lit in London. I felt that the blurb on the City Lit’s website was a bit mundane. So I got AI to write a better one.
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robot, by Terry Freedman
AI Cynicism #3
Have you noticed that more and more companies seem to have outsourced their customer service to an AI bot?
Read MoreAI Cynicism #2
An AI expert recently advised people to just subscribe to the premium version of one of the AI apps, rather than waste time hopping between several free ones all the time. Hmmm….
Read MoreAI Cynicism #1
I came across a “resource” recently that consists of hundreds of “ready-to-wear” AI prompts.
Read MoreReview: Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreAI Policy thoughts
I keep coming across articles and research about schools’ AI policies — or the lack of them. It seems to me that we’ve been here before, with policies about teachers’ and departments’ use of technology, and e-safety. There is a familiar pattern…
Read MoreAI-"written" books
It is not easy to tell just by looking at the cover, but here is what I suggest.
Read MoreReview: Dr Bot - Why Doctors Can Fail Us-and How Al Could Save Lives
In this comprehensive and highly readable Dr Bot, Blease tackles a wide range of issues, including some that are apposite for those working in schools.
Read MorePhoto by Terry Freedman
AI can increase workload
I came across an interesting article about AI increasing workload rather than reducing it.
Read MoreQuick look: Artificially Gifted: Notes from a Post-Genius World
The author, Mechelle Gilford, explores how AI may render our usual way of interpreting the concept of “gifted” obsolete.
Read MoreQuick look: Dr. Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us―and How AI Could Save Lives
Dr Bot discusses something I hadn’t really considered…
Read MoreA cartoon robot, by Terry Freedman
Blogging with AI
In preparation for a course on blogging that I ran a few years ago, I wanted to see how far I could get using AI tools to help me with my intended audience, outlining a post and drafting a whole article.
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Backlist: The Fourth Education Revolution
The title of this book invites curiosity: what were the other three ‘revolutions?
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Illustration of algorithmic objectivity, generated in ImageFX
Computing discussion topic
A topic to discuss with your students perhaps: the hidden bias in algorithms.
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On this day: Do kids still need to learn how to code?
A week or so ago we were chatting to a neighbour. She said she thinks her daughter, who looked about six years old, should learn how to code, as that’s the future. Didn’t I agree? I’m afraid I said that didn’t.
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An AI experiment to summarise student feedback
An AI summary of feedback received on a course.
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A big question mark, by Terry Freedman
The DfE's foray into AI for education: the good news and the (potentilly) bad news
We don’t have very long to wait before the educational AI projects funded by the Department for Education are unveiled, if all goes to plan. But I have some concerns.
Read MoreWhen AI can write as well as this, I'll worry! Plus a prize competition.
To paraphrase what Arthur C Clarke said about teachers, any writer that can be replaced by a computer probably should be.
Read MoreDystopian visions: Computers don't argue (Updated with reference to AI)
The writer does an excellent job of both reflecting the annoyance of dealing with a computer program that has no flexibility as well as no intelligence, and highlighting the need for programs to invite human input when the consequences of not doing so can be catastrophic.
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