Using Gemini, and is it for the Classroom?

So – I decided that I was going to check out Gemini – Google’s generative AI tool. I was a little shocked to find it is very similar to ChatGPT.  In comparison, the layout is very similar between the two, and the answers given are also very similar. I found ChatGPT is a very generic answering AI tool, and Gemini was more in depth, and specific, given the same information.

I wanted to see if I asked this tool to design something for me how it would look.  To give a little back story, I currently run a women’s boxing class once a week while also, attending a regular co-ed class.  Each week I am needing to ensure I challenge my students, and I wanted to see what Gemini would give me if I asked it to design a beginners women’s boxing class workout. 

It laid out everything so neatly, and it was almost exactly what I did for my first women’s class.

It gave me some other helpful tips, such as the equipment needed, the target audience it was built for (which is for women of all ages,  looking for a challenge, etc.)  It gave advice on the type of equipment needed, from glove sizes to hand wraps, and water bottles.  It also broke down the times for warm ups, and working on the different fundamentals of the sport.  This AI tool was surprisingly helpful, for a first class workout.  I have been doing boxing long enough to know that the regular participants  generally needs a healthy mix of workout and technique work, while also providing a variety of elements. Which is did not provide, it provided only a 60 minute workout. Therefore if wanting to challenge participants, it would not a good tool to use as it does not provide much after one class.   At the end of the workout, it gave me the option to transfer it into a word document to be able to print it. 

I found this feature quite interesting, I have not seen another AI tool be able to provide this option.  Although it is very neat, it could be very terrible for those who would want to use it for wicked reasons, such as writing essays, answering questions, etc.  It was so easy to do, and required next to no effort on my part.

The things I enjoyed about this tool; 

• It was very easy to use
• Liked it gave me the option to move to document
• Provided many different and specific elements that are needed for a class

Things I felt indifferent about this tool; 

• Only a 60 hour workout was provided
• Very generic
• very similar to ChatGPT layout

AI in the Classroom! 

In the classroom, this tool can be used to help find information about certain topics.  High school students  could ask this AI tool where to find information on things they are needing to research and ask for a reliable source. Example being finding reliable information about the French Revolution, that you (student) need to write an essay on. While possibly providing the reference and information, students need to remember to also be sure to authentically do the work themselves instead of having AI tools do the work.  It is very easy to spot when AI tools have done the work for someone, as AI uses very scholarly wording, and it can differ from one topic to the other.

I think that encouraging students to use AI tool correctly, is what is needed.  The reality of it is that students will use AI tools whether we want them to or not, but providing the tools, and allowing them to exercise self control while using AI tools I think will help break the barrier of students feeling the need to completely rely on it to do thier work.  Almost like a reverse psychology approach, with the hopes that they do not take complete advantage. I do also think it could help elevate some of the tasks of a teacher.  It could provide tools or provide possible fun games to help engage students.  Teachers could search engaging ideas for specific topics for thier grade level.  It is a fast way to get an answer (if needed at the time) as opposed to searching endlessly for an answer or help, and possibly wasting class time.