- What is chatGPT?
- Mistake #1: Not Personalizing the Prompt
- Mistake #2: Blindly Trusting AI Responses
- Mistake #3: Not Using ChatGPT to Save Time
- Final Thoughts
Did you know that one in three American teachers has used artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom at least once? Some educators rely on AI for grading and lesson planning. Others are more hesitant, and are concerned that AI might one day replace their jobs.
The truth is, there is a right way and a wrong way to use ChatGPT.
In this blog, we break down the top three mistakes teachers make when using ChatGPT and how you can fix them. These tips will help you personalize instruction, save time, and get the most out of AI tools in your teaching practice.
What is chatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI language model created by OpenAI that creates human-like text responses based on prompts. Teachers use it to assist with tasks like lesson planning, grading, writing emails, and gathering quick background information. While it can be incredibly helpful, the results depend on how well you use it.
Mistake #1: Not Personalizing the Prompt
When you tailor prompts to your students’ needs, your lesson plans become more engaging and relevant.
One common mistake is asking ChatGPT to “Create a lesson plan for students to learn X, Y, and Z.” This type of prompt usually results in something generic because the AI has no idea what your classroom looks like.
Here’s a more personalized version of that prompt:
“Make a 60-minute lesson plan for 9th graders on how to create an essay outline that meets Common Core standards. Include activities based on anime, sports, and pop music.”
This updated prompt includes class length, student age, academic goals, and student interests. The output included a structured lesson with group and individual activities, objectives, materials, and a reflection activity to close.
When you tailor prompts to your students’ needs, your lesson plans become more engaging and relevant.
For more tips on building meaningful routines and structures in the classroom, take a look at our blog on Top 5 Executive Function Hacks.
Mistake #2: Blindly Trusting AI Responses
AI is helpful, but it is not always accurate.
AI is helpful, but it is not always accurate. Some teachers ask ChatGPT to “Create math problems and provide solutions” without reviewing the results. This is risky, especially if you are not familiar with the content or do not have time to fact-check.
A better approach is: “Create math problems and provide step-by-step solutions.”
This way, you can verify the process used to reach the answer.
When working in subjects like history or English, always ask ChatGPT to provide sources and explain why those sources are relevant.
For example: “I’m working on a 60-minute lesson plan for the Cold War for 11th grade students. Provide three primary sources with links and explain your reasoning for each selection.”
Once chatGPT provides you sources, make sure to double check its credibility and functionality. If they do not work, paste the titles into a search engine to verify.
By doing a quick review of the sources, you reduce the chance of sharing incorrect or misleading information.
Mistake #3: Not Using ChatGPT to Save Time
Teachers often spend hours creating quizzes, assignments, and feedback from scratch. While this effort is admirable, it also eats up time that could be used for high-impact teaching.
Here’s a prompt that can speed up quiz creation:
“Write a 10-question multiple choice quiz on Act I of Romeo and Juliet. Include comprehension and critical thinking questions. Format it for easy copying into Google Forms.”
Outside of quiz creation, you can also delegate email drafting:
“Create a five-sentence email reminding parents about our parent-teacher conference on Friday, September 20. Mention that we will review student progress and next steps. Invite questions in advance.”
And for feedback, try this:
“Below is an example of student work. List what they did well and what they could improve. For improvements, include specific examples.”
These kinds of prompts allow you to reuse structures and focus more on instruction. If you are managing multiple student responsibilities at once, these time-saving tools can make a big difference.
Want to explore more ways to help students and families manage school better? Read our blog entitled The Secret to Helping Any Student with Executive Function Tutoring.
Final Thoughts
When used properly, ChatGPT allows you to reclaim valuable time and put your energy toward what really matters—helping students learn.
To use ChatGPT effectively, avoid these three mistakes:
- Writing vague, impersonal prompts
- Trusting AI responses without checking them
- Forgetting to use it as a time-saving assistant
When used properly, ChatGPT allows you to reclaim valuable time and put your energy toward what really matters—helping students learn.
If you want to learn how students can also use ChatGPT for math, be sure to check out our related blog: 5 Ways ChatGPT Can Help You with Math.
How are you currently using ChatGPT in your teaching? Let us know in the comments below!
