Transforming the Special Education Classroom with Chat GPT: Strategies for Engaged Learning

Abstract

This conference presentation explores how ChatGPT, an advanced language model, can assist exceptional learners. By leveraging natural language processing, ChatGPT offers personalized, interactive conversations to provide feedback and guidance tailored to individual needs. Customization options cater to different learning styles, incorporating visual aids and interactive activities. Ethical considerations such as privacy and responsible AI usage are addressed. Case studies highlight ChatGPT's positive impact in empowering exceptional learners. The presentation encourages educators and professionals to embrace ChatGPT as a tool for fostering inclusive and personalized learning environments that support the academic and personal growth of exceptional learners.

Full text

Transforming the Special
Education Classroom
with Chat GPT:
Strategies for Engaged Learning
Facilitators:
Glennda McKeithan, PhD, NBCT
Xaviera Johnson, MA, MAT, MSA
Allison Hardi, MAT
NC CEC 2nd Annual
Exceptional Learner Summit
* 7/15/23 *
Wake Forest, NC

Introductions
●Glennda McKeithan, PhD - Associate Teaching Professor, Retired K-12
Teacher, NC CEC BoD
●Xaviera Johnson, MSA - Current Principal, former teacher &
counselor, current Doc Student, NC CEC BoD (Current President of NC
CEC & NC TAG)
●Allison Hardi, MAT - Current English Teacher, NC CEC BoD

AGENDA
I. Introduction
II. How ChatGPT Can Help Teachers
III. Best Practices
IV. Ethical Considerations
V. Academic Integrity
VI. Enhancing IEPs
VII. Elementary, Middle & High School Content
Connections
VIII.Let's Get Started & Share Ideas

What is it? (Teacher’s Guide)
○Artificial intelligence language (by OpenAI)
○Based on GPT-3.5 architecture
■uses transformer neural network to generate natural language
processing
○Engages through text-based interfaces (chatbots, messaging apps,
websites)
○data from internet & other sources
○ability to learn & improve over time
○Assists in finding information, providing answers,
& engaging in conversation
Not sentient, “hallucinations” and “emerging properties”

●AI is not going away!
●According to Sundar Pichai (CEO) of Alphabet Inc. & subsidiary
Google
●“AI is the most profound technology humanity is
working on today,” (LINK to 60 Minute Report)
●Potential Changes to US Educational System (next 10 years)
●How AI Might Complement & Enhance the US Education System
●Jobs Vulnerable to Displacement
●Potential New Jobs

How ChatGPT Can Help Teachers to
Personalize Learning?
●Answers to FAQ (teaching, education, pedagogy)
●Mentoring (1:1 assistant,organization, testing, scheduling, etc.)
●lesson planning (suggesting resources, activities based on specific learning
objectives & student characteristics)
●Feedback on teaching strategies, approaches (classroom management,
assessment, differentiation) Be careful * be responsible stewards of info
●Summarize latest research & trends
●Support Lifelong Learning (PD suggestions: relevant courses, workshops,
conferences)
●Generate varied assessment methods, questions, etc.

Best Practices
●Here is how it works “Write a story about a great
teacher.” (subject, time period)
●Effective Requests: Adjust input (teach students how to ask
questions & hone responses according to need)
●Monitor progress: Regularly assess progress
●Support & guide: Modeling, providing feedback

●Privacy concerns: Collects data on interactions &
conversations, may include personal information; Who has
access? - Potential privacy violation.
●Informed consent: Obtain informed consent; explain how will
be used, potential risks (school policy)
●Bias & fairness: Chat GPT may have biases - teach students to
recognize
●Limitations of technology: Not a substitute for human
interaction
Ethical Considerations

●Ideas for IEP goals: Use SCOS objective & describe student needs
●PLAAFP & transition goals (examples) Artifacts (examples)
●Personalized Instruction: Deliver content in different formats,
explanations, offer real-time feedback (examples)
●Reading & Writing Support: Assist with reading, writing (read
aloud, definitions, offer grammar, spelling suggestions)
●Cognitive Skill Development: Develop cognitive skills, problem-
solving, critical thinking, decision-making
●Interactive scenarios: Discussions to enhance cognitive abilities
Incorporate Chat GPT into IEPs

●Social Skills Training: Social interactions & opportunities for
practice; role-playing exercises & offer feedback
●Accommodations & Modifications: Adjust complexity of content,
alternative assessment methods
●Transition Plans: explore jobs based on interests, skills, etc.
●Self-Management: Set up study schedules, prepare for tests,
practice skills
●Collaboration & Peer Interaction: simulating discussions, foster
cooperative learning
Potential IEPs connections

Help Students in ELA?
●Feedback on grammar, spelling, & syntax
●Comprehension (analyze, explain complex info, synonyms,
definitions, examples)
●Suggest conversation topics, & provide feedback
●Generate scripts for requesting accommodations or expressing
needs, preferences, opinions
●Practice skills in a safe environment, building confidence

“Chat GPT Inhibits Student Thinking”
●Does not replace critical thinking; support cognitive processes
●Prompt deeper reflection, stimulate critical thinking
●Guided implementation (clear objectives & learning outcomes)
●Reinforcement - question sources, verify facts, consider multiple
viewpoints
●Promote collaborative discussions
●Reinforce HOTS higher-order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis,
evaluation)
●Scaffold supports
●Timely & targeted feedback to shape responses

Elementary School ELA & ChatGPT (Video & Resources)
●LINK TO NC SCOS ELA
●ChatGPT prompt: generate a lesson plan as well a list of very simple activities requiring little
preparation by the teacher and HS students utilize chat GPT to address at least 2 NC common
core benchmark standards in 7th and 8th grade ELA. (Result in 4 seconds)
●Create project-based engaging activities that are student-centered; scaffolding a variation of
the plan per each academic level from standard to honors and beyond for advanced students.
Ensure the lesson plan and detailed activities include identifying at least two pieces of credible
textual evidence fully substantiated with proper documentation per MLA and succinct
explanation linking back to the overarching literary theme or moral on either a “hero's journey”
or “the difference between justice and fairness” or “honor versus fame or money” allowing
students to arrive to their own “right” conclusions with proper text evidence. (Result in 6 seconds)

Middle School ELA Plans: Activities From Start To Finish Including
example IEP Accommodations/Modifications and more
●LINK TO NC SCOS ELA
●MS ELA lesson plans w activities
●MS ELA lesson plan w modifications & extensions, teacher notes
●MS ELA cont. review for assessment & closure activity
●ChatGPT ELA detailed lesson plan- CC standard 6.1 ELA
●ChatGPT ELA elementary activity & lesson plan

Middle School Science & ChatGPT (Video & Resources)
●LINK TO NC SCOS MS Science
●ChatGPT prompt: generate a list of very simple activities which requires little preparation
by the teacher and Middle school students utilize chat GPT to address this standard:
Recognize how energy can be transferred from one object to another.
○ChatGPT response link to activities
●ChatGPT prompt: Generate 3 easy activities for middle school science students to do
using ChatGPT which would reinforce this standard: Explain the effect of heat on the motion
of atoms and molecules through a description of what happens to particles during a
change in phase. include opportunities for the use of art or roleplay
●ChatGPT response link to activities

High School Math & ChatGPT (Video & Resources)
●LINK TO NC SCOS Math HS
●ChatGPT prompt: generate a list of very simple activities which requires little preparation
by the teacher and HS students utilize chat GPT to address this standard: Create equations
and inequalities in one variable that represent linear, exponential, and quadratic
relationships and use them to solve problems
○ChatGPT response link to activities
●ChatGPT prompt: Generate 3 easy activities for HS math students to do using chatGPT
which would reinforce this math standard: Calculate and interpret the average rate of
change over a specified interval for a function presented numerically, graphically, and/or
symbolically
○ChatGPT response link to activities

How might ChatGPT help?
●Lesson plans
●Classroom management ideas
●Professional communication:
○Difficult administrator
○Difficult colleague
○Difficult parents ( (email/phone
script/meeting notes/outline)
●Assessment generator
●Conflict resolution ACRONYMS
●Analyze student work, provide
feedback & extension activities
●Summarizing complex information
Additional ideas?
▪Identifying solutions to classroom
challenges
▪Exploring and outlining lengthy research
to draw accurate conclusions
▪Generate IEP goals
▪Generate Lessons aligned with IEP goals
▪Generate Assessment aligned with IEP
goals
▪Operationalize Target Behaviors for FBAs

▪Go to the OpenAI website https://www.openai.com/.
▪Sign up for an account
▪Access the OpenAI API
▪Generate an API key
▪Install necessary software and libraries
▪Connect to the API
▪Start connecting to ChatGPT API
▪Handle API responses: Process and parse the response according to your desired
application
▪Start experimenting with the ChatGPT model & refine your integration
Let’s Get Started!

References
●Anderson, C. D., & Thompson, E. J. (2021). Exploring the potential of AI chatbots for supporting students with
learning disabilities. International Journal of Special Education Technology, 8(2), 45-58.
●Ghimire, R., Skinner, J., & Carnathan, M. (2020). Who perceived automation as a threat to their jobs in metro
Atlanta: Results from the 2019 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey. Technology in Society, 63, 101368.
●Johnson, A. R., & Smith, B. L. (2022). The role of artificial intelligence in personalized learning for students with
disabilities. Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(3), 127-140.
●Johnson, M. A., & Brown, K. S. (2022). Personalized learning: Strategies for inclusive classrooms. New York, NY:
Routledge.
●Martinez, S. P., & Lee, M. L. (2020). Enhancing student engagement and personalized learning through AI-based
chatbots. Journal of Educational Technology Research, 24(1), 78-92.
●Manyika, J., Lund, S., Chui, M., Bughin, J., Woetzel, J., Batra, P., ... & Sanghvi, S. (2017). Jobs lost, jobs gained:
What the future of work will mean for jobs, skills, and wages.
●Smith, J. R., & Davis, L. M. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: Enhancing access and personalization for
students with disabilities. Boston, MA: Harvard Education Press.
●Thompson, R. D., & Wilson, C. P. (2020). Adaptive learning technologies: Enabling personalized instruction for
students with special needs. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
●World Economic Forum. (2020, October 1). The future of jobs report 2020. World Economic Forum.
https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf