ChatGPT: Modifying Passages for ESL Students
Meet Your New Co-teacher
ChatGPT needs you as much as you need it. There is a reciprocal relationship needed to make the app function. you must be willing to accept that the first output you receive may not be exactly what you are looking for. Refinement is an important part of the AI process; not every input provides a usable output. If there is something you need that is not coming out, give it more information and try again. ChatGPT has a working memory so you can build on earlier inputs.
"Can you give me the same passage but modified for LAS 1-3"
Sure, here's the same passage modified for LAS 1-3 levels:
Passage: Jenny went to the store to buy some apples. She saw a lot of different kinds of apples, such as Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. Jenny decided to buy some Granny Smith apples because she likes the tart taste.
LAS 1 Question: What did Jenny go to the store to buy?
LAS 1 Answer: Jenny went to the store to buy apples.
LAS 1 Explanation: The question asks what Jenny went to the store to buy, and the answer is simply "apples."
LAS 2 Question: What kinds of apples did Jenny see at the store?
LAS 2 Answer: Jenny saw different kinds of apples, such as Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious.
LAS 2 Explanation: The question asks what kinds of apples Jenny saw at the store, and the answer includes specific examples from the passage.
LAS 3 Question: Why did Jenny decide to buy Granny Smith apples?
LAS 3 Answer: Jenny decided to buy Granny Smith apples because she likes the tart taste.
LAS 3 Explanation: The question asks why Jenny chose to buy Granny Smith apples, and the answer provides a specific reason that is stated in the passage.
"It is good to see the questions differentiated, but I would like to see the passage modified for each LAS level. "
LAS 1 Passage: Jenny went to the store. She wanted to buy some fruit. She saw apples. She got some Granny Smith apples. They taste tart.
LAS 2 Passage: Jenny went to the store to buy some apples. She saw a lot of different kinds of apples, such as Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. Jenny decided to buy some Granny Smith apples because she likes the tart taste.
LAS 3 Passage: Jenny went to the store to buy some fruit. As she walked around, she saw many different kinds of apples. There were Granny Smith apples, which have a tart taste, Red Delicious apples, which are sweet, and Golden Delicious apples, which are a little tart and a little sweet. Jenny decided to buy some Granny Smith apples because she likes the tart taste.
ChatGPT is a Learning Tool
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/chatgpt-learning-tool
Critical thinking is more important that rote memorization. Prompting an AI to produce and intended outcome is a skill. It is not a magic gene that grants your every wish. You must know how to interact with the tool the same as any other device.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/technology/chatgpt-schools-teachers.html
Some schools are considering banning AI from their institution entirely. This is a big mistake. Any school not infusing AI into their learning in some ways will fall way behind their competition.
Try it Yourself
Visit https://chat.openai.com/ and get started generating conversations.