AI for ELT: Week 4

#elt #ai #learning #onlinelearning #education #moodlecourse #freecourse Dr. Nellie Deutsch introduces the final week of the course "AI for ELT," highlighting the upcoming week four that begins shortly. She encourages participants to finish week three and prepare for the next phase of the course. Dr. Deutsch shares that this is a free course designed to explore the integration of artificial intelligence in English language teaching, envisioning a future classroom enriched with technology. She invites participants to connect with her on LinkedIn for any inquiries and reminds them of her extensive background in education, with over 40 years of experience in teaching English as a foreign language and utilizing computer-assisted language learning since 1992. Dr. Deutsch elaborates on her professional development initiatives, emphasizing the importance of innovative technologies in education and the role of mindfulness in these practices. She discusses the AI tool "did," which is currently under development, noting its limitations in the free version. Participants are encouraged to explore various expressions through this tool, while Dr. Deutsch expresses her frustration with the constraints of many free AI tools available, highlighting the need for more accessible resources for educators. She mentions the competitive landscape of AI tools, pointing out that some like ChatGPT offer free plugins and communication features that enhance student engagement and learning. Dr. Deutsch encourages participants to share their favorite tools in the chat, emphasizing the significance of user interface and design in their overall experiences. She shares her personal preferences, expressing a fondness for ChatGPT due to its efficiency as a search engine, while noting her mixed feelings about other tools like Google Gemini. The discussion shifts to the features and limitations of various educational tools, including Magic School and Google Notebook. Dr. Deutsch highlights the benefits of using tools like Canva for Education, available for K-12 educators, and reflects on the evolving nature of these resources. She warns participants that many tools are transitioning to paid models after offering free services, urging them to take advantage of current offerings while they last. Dr. Deutsch informs participants about upcoming professional development opportunities in January, where they can learn to integrate AI tools into Moodle courses. She emphasizes the importance of making activities accessible for students and discussing the use of Google Forms for quizzes and other activities within Google Classroom. The chat becomes interactive, with participants sharing their experiences and preferences for various educational technologies. Throughout the session, Dr. Deutsch addresses specific participant inquiries and encourages collaboration among course members. She reiterates the importance of providing feedback and support, particularly regarding any technical issues faced during the course. The conversation highlights the global nature of the course, with participants joining from diverse locations such as Siberia, Canada, and Morocco. Dr. Deutsch explains the use of specific tools within Moodle, including the ability to record screens and generate text and images. She notes that not all links can be embedded due to restrictions from some companies, which affects the integration of certain resources into learning management systems. Participants are reminded to ensure that links open in new windows to maintain their place in the course while exploring additional resources online. As the session progresses, Dr. Deutsch focuses on the importance of tracking progress within the course and encourages participants to report any issues they encounter. She points out that maintaining a record of completed tasks is crucial for the overall learning experience. The conversation also addresses recent technical issues and the need for continuous improvement in course design and delivery. In conclusion, Dr. Deutsch expresses her gratitude for the participants' commitment and engagement throughout the course. She acknowledges the challenges of technology and the learning process, emphasizing that both educators and students are continually evolving. The session wraps up with a reminder to utilize the resources available and to stay connected as they navigate the final week of the course.