Afterschool Program Tools

Best Afterschool Program Tools Providers Need to Know - Chat-GPT

Chat-GPT has been making news headlines. You may or may not have heard of it, but most don't know what it is or are not using it to the properly. Here's how this tool can benefit you as an afterschool instructor or teacher.

What is Chat-GPT?

According to Chat GPT, it is:

"ChatGPT is a conversational AI model developed by OpenAI. It is based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, which is a variant of the GPT-3 model. GPT stands for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer," and it is a type of artificial neural network designed for natural language understanding and generation.

ChatGPT is specifically fine-tuned for tasks related to natural language understanding and generation in a conversational context. It can be used for a wide range of applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, answering questions, providing explanations, and engaging in text-based conversations with users.

The model is trained on a diverse dataset of internet text, allowing it to have a broad understanding of language and the ability to generate human-like text in response to a wide variety of prompts and questions. It is a powerful tool for natural language processing and understanding and can be used in various applications to interact with users and provide information or assistance."

WAIT... What??

Let's break it down. Essentially Chat GPT is a free(currently) tool where you can ask it different prompts and it will generate a response. Imagine instead of Googling something and getting 10,000+ results, Chat GPT pulls and sorts through all 10,000+ results to create you an educated response in seconds. Try it out and ask it anything. Visit here: CHAT GPT LINK

How Does This Relate to Afterschool?

Chat GPT helps give afterschool providers and instructors the one thing they are lacking, TIME! Meaning for the first time ever you can quickly generate idea's quickly and efficiently. Here's a few examples:

Have it help you write a lesson plan outline
Help you plan out your Standard Operating Procedures for your staff.
Brainstorm different afterschool programs that meet a certain criteria.
Have it help you plan out a semester, session or day of afterschool programs that fill an hour or two each day
Give it certain budget constraints that you need to meet and have it brainstorm idea's that meet those budgeting requirements
Give it first names of students and different groups, and instruct it to randomly put those students into groups
Create Classroom Rules for your certain grade level

Things to remember

Chat GPT is a tool, not a copy paste solution
1. This means that Chat GPT will not replace your brain. It is simply a tool to use to help you plan and brainstorm. Ultimately it can give you some great idea's, but it doesn't always sound like your voice or know all the variables associated with your question or role. So don't use it as a means to an end. If it gives you an answer, ask it a question back or tell it refine a certain part of it's answer.
Be Specific
1. Chat GPT is intuitive, meaning it can listen to the different variables you want included in your prompt. When writing a prompt, instead of asking it, "Write me an after school lesson plan". Try saying "Write me an after school lesson plan, that fills an hour and is geared toward 5th graders and uses paper plates and crayons. Ask me any questions you need to create a good response." The response that Chat GPT will give you between these two responses is HUGE!!!
The Final Phrase
1. The final phrase to include in any prompt is "Ask me any questions you need to create a good response". The reason why this is important is it will then ask you any specific questions around the question you just asked it. This will create clarity around your initial prompt.

Examples: Good vs. BAD

BAD Prompt Example: "Write me an after school lesson plan"

This isn't the best prompt because it wasn't specific. What if you didn't want your prompt to be for elementary students? What if you didn't want it on science? What if this is to expensive or you don't have these supplies? So many non specifics, that it leaves a ton of room for interpretation.

Good Prompt Example: "Write me an after school lesson plan, that fills an hour and is geared toward 5th graders and uses paper plates and crayons. Ask me any questions you need to create a good response."

This prompt is better. It is more specific and ties in the constraints you asked for. It didn't need to ask you any questions because it felt you gave enough information. It could be even better if you could be even more specific.