Two Proven Approaches to Engage Students (and Why They Work)

stories from teachers

· edtech,AI Prompts

Can ChatGPT/AI truly enhance learning, or is it just a shortcut? While these concerns are valid, pioneering teachers are already discovering creative, intentional ways to harness AI as a collaborative tool—not a replacement for human instruction. Let’s explore two inspiring examples from real classrooms and unpack how they’re transforming student engagement.

1. The “Feedback Detective” Game: Turning Rubrics into a Competition

A high school teacher’s breakthrough:

Instead of grading essays in isolation, this educator uses AI to generate 3-4 sample essays on a similar topic. Students then analyze these examples, match each to feedback based on a rubric, and compete to see who can align the critiques correctly. The result? Students become “rubric experts,” internalizing grading criteria while practicing peer evaluation skills.

Why it works:

  • Active learning: Students engage with rubrics before writing their own essays, demystifying expectations.
  • Collaborative critique: The game-like format sparks debate (“Why does Essay B deserve a ‘4’ in organization?”).
  • AI as a mirror: Flawed AI-generated essays let students spot common mistakes without singling out peers’ work.

2. Madlibs Meets Storytelling: Co-Creating Narratives with AI

A lesson for younger grades:

Students brainstorm story elements (setting, characters, conflict) in a Madlibs-style format. The teacher plugs these ideas into ChatGPT to generate a short story. When the narrative has plot holes or inconsistencies, students eagerly problem-solve (“We need a better villain!”) and revise their inputs.

Pro-tip : use less capable model like GPT 3.5 or Gemini 1.5 , that will leave more rooms for student to do criticism.

Why it works:

  • Instant gratification: AI turns abstract concepts (e.g., “setting”) into tangible, often silly stories that captivate young learners.
  • Ownership: Students see their ideas shape the narrative, fostering pride and motivation to refine their work.
  • Critical thinking: Spotting AI’s flaws (“Wait, the dragon wouldn’t live in a desert!”) builds analytical skills.

Why These Approaches Resonate with Students (and Teachers)

Both strategies share a common thread: AI becomes a launchpad for human creativity and interaction, not the final product.

Final Thought The future of AI in education isn’t about flawless chatbots or automated grading. It’s about teachers like you leveraging technology to create dynamic, student-centered experiences.

As one Reddit educator put it: “Never have I ever had students so in tune with what I am actually grading.” That’s the power of innovation—and it starts with a single experiment. Ready to try? Your students might just surprise you.

Have an AI-inspired lesson idea? Share it in the comments! Let’s build a community of practice that redefines what’s possible in the classroom.

( 中文翻譯 DeepSeek R1 )

欸,你是不是也在想:「ChatGPT 或 AI 到底能不能幫學生學更好?還是只是讓他們偷懶?」——這問題超合理的好嗎!但你知道嗎?已經有一群超有創意的老師,把 AI 變成「神隊友」而不是「取代人類」的工具啦!今天帶你偷看兩個真實課堂案例,看他們怎麼用 AI 讓學生嗨到不行~

1. 當「評分標準」變身偵探遊戲:比對反饋大挑戰!

高中老師的絕招:
其自己改作文改到眼神死,這位老師直接讓 AI 生出 3-4 篇同主題的範文,然後叫學生當「評分偵探」:根據評分量規,把每篇作文和對應的評語配對,還要比賽誰配得最準!結果?學生秒懂評分標準,甚至學會互相給建議,根本內建「量規雷達」啊!

什麼有效:
動出擊:在寫作文前就先玩評分,學生再也不會問「老師你到底要看什麼?」(眼神死解除!)
出火花:遊戲化讓學生狂辯論:「為什麼 B 作文的結構能拿 4 分?」(連下課都在吵)
AI 當照妖鏡:用 AI 寫的漏洞範文,讓學生抓錯抓超爽,還不用怕傷同學感情~

技巧:用像 GPT-3.5 , Gemini 1.5 這種「沒那麼聰明」的AI模型,故意讓 AI 寫出有缺陷的文章,學生會更嗨森挑錯!

2. 故事接龍 + AI 生成:小學生變身劇情醫生!

給低年級的魔法課:
學生玩「瘋狂填詞」腦暴故事元素(場景、角色、衝突),老師把這些天馬行空的點子丟給 ChatGPT 生出一篇故事。當故事出現「沙漠裡的噴火龍」這種 bug 時,小朋友會立刻跳腳:「不對啦!龍應該住在火山!」,然後搶著修正設定——根本比追劇還投入!

為什麼有效:
秒速成就感:AI 把抽象的「故事元素」變成超ㄎㄧㄤ情節,小孩笑瘋還學到結構!
我的故事我主宰:看到自己亂掰的點子變成正式故事,連調皮鬼都變認真魔人!
bug 訓練營:挑 AI 的毛病讓小孩變身柯南:「這個反派太弱了!要加黑暗魔法!」(老師在旁邊偷笑)

為什這些方法讓師生都上癮?

關鍵就在:把 AI 當成「創意跳板」,而不是完美答案機!和一般「AI 輔助教學」差在哪?
> 結果:重點是讓學生互嗆、修改、合作——這些技能 AI 再強也學不來!
中學無壓力:遊戲化和說故事讓學生忘記自己在學習(心機老師計畫通)
師才是 MVP:你是指揮家,AI 只是樂器,怎麼譜曲還是你說了算!

給觀望老師的入坑指南

如果還怕怕的,先試這三招:

小範圍實驗:用 AI 生一篇作文或故事,設計成 20 分鐘的互動活動

當 AI 是草稿機:故意用有缺陷的 AI 產出,讓學生來當「改稿大神」

擁抱不完美:AI 寫錯?超棒的啊!這就是最好的批判思考教材!

最後來點
教育中的
AI 未來,不是要取代老師或寫出滿分答案,而是幫你創造學生主導的學習體驗!就像某位 Reddit 老師說的:「從沒看過學生這麼認真研究我的評分標準!」——這就是創新教學的魔法,而你,隨時可以開始施展!

準備好試試看了嗎?你的學生可能會讓你驚喜連連哦~ 🚀

彩蛋時間:有用 AI 設計過什麼酷教案嗎?留言分享!一起組個「AI 教學腦洞戰隊」吧!