16 July 2024

English Language: Improving your Writing (with AI) 

Artificial Intelligence is already here, and students are already making use of it. A common perception among students is that tools like ChatGPT and MetaAI can be relied on wholly to produce impressive written responses. However, at the moment, these AI tools aren’t able to replicate an impressive personal voice or include personal experiences that would resonate with an assessor. Hence, this lesson aims to help students use AI tools effectively, improving on their already-produced pieces of writing. 

The lesson will start with a short recap and discussion by showing the writing prompt for the lesson. Students will analyse and break down the requirements of the writing task, guided by the teacher. Next, students would be tasked with producing at least one paragraph of writing in response to the writing prompt. They would have a choice of producing a more descriptive paragraph, or one that is designed for them to explain the significance of their answer. For low support learners, they will be asked to produce two paragraphs. Once the students have completed their paragraphs, they will upload their writing onto their Padlet wall. Following that, the teacher will go through some reminders of how to use AI tools effectively to edit writing. Using an example, the teacher will show how a response can be edited by AI. The teacher will then give the students some time to use the AI tool by themselves. Once they are satisfied with the AI-generated output, they will upload the edited paragraphs back onto the Padlet wall.

Key Application of Technology:

Padlet – students key in their responses and edited paragraphs of writing into a Padlet wall. 

ChatGPT / MetaAI – Students choose from these AI tools to edit their written work. These AI tools can help to edit, extend, refine or include more complex vocabulary terms. 

25 April 2024

Mathematics: Escape the Math Room! (Number Patterns) 

A common myth among students is that algebra topics are boring because they are abstract and unrelatable. This lesson aims to debunk the myth by inserting hands-on and fun tasks to reinforce algebraic skills.

The lesson will start with a short recap by discussing a pre-assessment question the students have done in the last lesson. Tapping on the pre-assessment, students would be grouped into pairs of HP/LP learners. The learning needs of the SEN students are also considered by pairing them with trusted peers who can keep them on-task.

Next, students would be tasked with solving multiple puzzles based on the topic. They would be moving all around the Math Room as part of the ‘Escape Room’ format. Some of the puzzles contain concrete manipulatives for students to get hands-on in solving them.  After finishing all the puzzles, their final task is to decipher the password required to ‘escape’ the Math Room. 

The lesson will end with a consolidation of learning and an AFL quiz to check for students’ understanding. 

Key Application of Technology:

Classkick – monitor students’ progress in real time and assist teacher in providing instantaneous feedback 

2 April 2024

Mathematics: Spot the Error! (Algebraic Expansion and Factorisation) 

In this lesson, inspired by the popular game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", students will delve into simplifying, expanding, and factorising algebraic expressions. Despite covering these topics in Term 1, many students still lack confidence and have misconceptions in these fundamental algebraic operations.

Common misconceptions include errors in managing positive and negative signs during expansion and difficulties in selecting appropriate methods for factorisation. Additionally, some students view expansion and factorisation as separate concepts when in fact, expansion and factorisation are the reverse process of each other.

This lesson aims to emphasise the big idea of notations and representation enabling students to apply the 4 basic rules of algebra (like the rules used in number system) effectively: (i) commutative rule of addition, (ii) commutative rule of multiplication, (iii) associative rule of addition and multiplication, and (iv) distributive property of multiplication. 

Key Application of Technology:

PowerPoint slides – 'Spot the Error!' game

Classkick – Reflection & Homework 

Goodnotes App – Presentation of steps and solutions