For our assignment, we were tasked with using an AI Assistant to create a newsletter to use within out school libraries. Below is the prompt that I entered into Google Gemini.
“Help me draft a newsletter for an elementary school staff that includes a section that can be copied and pasted into a ClassDojo message for student parents, detailing the information about a Scholastic Book Fair, which is open from 7:40 AM until 4:00 PM the week of October 28th. “
This prompt produced the following result.
“Subject: Get Ready for the Scholastic Book Fair!
Dear Staff,
Get ready for a week of literary adventures! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to [School Name] from October 28th to November 1st. We're transforming the [Location of Book Fair, e.g., library] into a magical world of books, and we need your help to make it a success!
Here's how you can help:
Encourage students to visit the fair: Talk up the book fair in your classrooms and remind students to bring money if they want to purchase books.
Volunteer your time: We need volunteers to help with setup, checkout, and cleanup. Sign up for a time slot here: [Link to volunteer signup sheet]
Spread the word: Share the ClassDojo message below with parents to let them know about the fair and encourage them to visit with their children.
Book Fair Hours:
7:40 AM - 4:00 PM daily
We can't wait to see you at the book fair!
Sincerely,
[Your Name/The Book Fair Committee]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ClassDojo Message for Parents:
Subject: Dive into Reading at the Scholastic Book Fair!
Dear Parents,
Mark your calendars! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to [School Name] from October 28th to November 1st. This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to explore new books and discover the joy of reading.
Book Fair Hours:
7:40 AM - 4:00 PM daily
We encourage you to visit the book fair with your child. It's a wonderful way to spend time together and foster a love of reading.
[Optional: Include information about eWallet or other payment options here.]
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
[School Name/The Book Fair Committee]”
This newsletter was the basis of one that I did use in my library to announce the Scholastic Book Fair that I hosted during the Fall Semester.
Critique:
I have frequently used this AI system as a supplemental tool for my newsletter, as well as for assistance in drafting emails to my campus admin, and drafting grant proposals. While this tool is an amazing addition to an educator’s arsenal, it is not completely fool-proof. I did have to meticulously scan the provided result for grammatical errors, and wording issues. One of the issues that I would have with this program is that at this moment in time it is a needle in a haystack. There are so many different options that are similar to Google Gemini; ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot as well as Grammerly. The use of these tools honestly in an amazing resource for educators as well as anyone that uses technology with in their day-to-day lives.
I agree with you, there are a lot of different AI generators out there now, and some are definitely returning better results than others. I use Canva for most digital design content and either ChatGPT and recently Google Gemini to help me with the writing portion. I very much appreciate the grammar checking and the rewording options that Gemini will return.
ReplyDeleteHi Meagan!
ReplyDeleteI like how you’re using AI as a tool but not relying on it completely. It’s so true that while AI can save time, you still have to go through and check for errors. There are so many AI options available, and figuring out which tool works best for what you need can be a process. It’s great to hear how you’ve worked AI into different parts of your job, from newsletters to emails and even grant proposals. Your experience shows how AI can be helpful, but it still needs that human touch!
Thanks!
Landa Langford
It really can help save time when it works, but as you say it can also make mistakes or neglect content. Nice critique!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how you recognized both the usefulness and the limitations of AI tools like ChatGPT. It's true, while AI can save time and help generate strong starting points for newsletters, emails, and proposals, careful review and editing are still essential. Your point about the growing number of AI options is also important. Finding the right tool that fits your workflow can make a big difference. It's exciting to see how you're leveraging AI to enhance communication and save time!
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a great point about the need for careful review when using AI tools. While they’re incredibly helpful, they’re not perfect. I agree that the growing number of platforms can feel overwhelming, but I really like how you’re using AI as a supplemental tool instead of relying on it to do everything.
ReplyDelete