NightCafe AI

Image created with NightCafe AI

Ekaterina, Kseniia, & Sasha

Activity

• Short description

  • A multi-module, collaborative creative writing activity using NightCafe Studio’s AI Art Generator to create an image from a short list of seemingly unrelated parts of speech (Mad-Lib style). 

  • Students will have recently learned the components of a fictional short story, such as genre, characters, setting, plot, theme, conflict, and resolution. 

• Contextualization

  • Target Age: Adult English learners

  • Target Language Level (based on CEFR): C1

  • Location: Classroom

• Lesson Aims

  • CEFR Creative Writing Competency (Production) for C1, p. 76: ‘Can write clear, detailed, well-structured and developed descriptions and imaginative texts in an assured, personal, natural style appropriate to the reader in mind.’

  • CEFR Pragmatic Communicative Language Competencies: 

    • 1. Thematic development for C1, p. 141: 'Can use the conventions of the type of text concerned to hold the target reader’s attention and communicate complex ideas.'

      2. Coherence and Cohesion for C1, p. 142: 'Can produce clear, smoothly flowing, well-structured speech, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.'

• Learning objectives - SWBAT:

  • Write a formulaic prompt using randomly chosen parts of speech for the AI art generator NightCafe Studio.

  • Modify the prompt to embellish the generated image if desired.

  • Create a short story synopsis or outline based on the generated image including the following elements:

    • genre

    • characters

    • setting

    • plot

    • theme

    • conflict

  • Create at least 2 more images using NightCafe Studio AI to illustrate different scenes of the story.

• Preparation for the app task cycle (before the lesson: 15-20 minutes)

  • Teacher will need to familiarize themselves with the app, create an account, and be ready to help students play with the tool in class.  

  • Teacher will need to be sure students can log in to NightCafe Studio using Google or create an account using an email address.

  • Teacher will need to duplicate the Google doc template for the necessary number of groups.

• Materials

  • NightCafe Studio website: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/

  • A Shared Google document for each group, set to edit (template linked here)

• Brief description of each phase of task cycle

  • Pre-task (5 min):

    • Create groups of 3-4 students each.

    • Have each group open their Google document and complete Part 1 by providing words for each part of speech listed.

  • Main task (20 min): 

    • In Part 2, students will paste these words into the prompt and copy it to the clipboard.

    • Following the directions in Part 3 (and with the teacher's guidance as needed), students will navigate to the NightCafe Studio website and use their prompt to create an original image.

    • Next, students will discuss possible story ideas based on the image, and add to (but not change) the prompt to embellish the image if desired.

    • Next, students will collaboratively negotiate to write a synopsis or outline of a short story based on the generated image by specifying the genre, characters, setting, plot, and conflict.

    • Finally, students will use NightCafe Studio to create at least 2 more illustrations for the story.

  • Post-task and debriefing (5 min):

    • For homework, students will individually write the actual story and plan to share their stories with their group during the next lesson.

• Examples of materials and app in use

  • Prompt:  ‘A monkey and a horse dancing at the beach in a joyful and uplifting mood.’

Examples of student work produced during the activity demonstration:

Group 1

Group 2