WEEK 4

This week we are exploring the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) via Magic School AI (https://magicschool.ai/tools) to generate a lesson plan for our grade level/content area using my state standards--Oklahoma Academic Standards/Mathematics, and ISTE Student Standards.

Part 1: 

    1) Evaluate the quality of the lesson. Is it well aligned with the standard that you provided? Is the lesson sufficiently rigorous? Are assessments aligned with the objective and the lesson procedure/content?

     The quality of the lesson is excellent. It is well aligned with the standards that I provided, including both Oklahoma Academic Standards for Mathematics and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The standards I submitted were: 

•  Oklahoma Academic Standards: A2.F.1.3 Graph a quadratic function; identify the domain, range, x- and y-intercepts, maximum or minimum value, axis of symmetry, and vertex.
• ISTE Standards for Students: 5a – Students use digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information; 6a – Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication

    

    The lesson generated is sufficiently rigorous. The assessment is aligned with the objective and the lesson procedure/content. The lesson is named "Exploring Quadratic Functions: Graphing and Analysis." The opening begins with a real-world scenario "Imagine you're designing a parabolic arch for a bridge. What information would you need to create this shape?"  

    The lesson assessment includes a literary element requiring students to "explain their findings in a short paragraph." The lesson requires the use of technology. It is suggested to use a video clip of a "parabolic structure in action to capture interest." The technology integration involves utilizing graphing calculators or software to visualize quadratic functions. 

2) What improvements might you suggest?

    The only improvement that I would love to see is that it automatically finds a video clip and creates a worksheet for the homework and assessment sections. The Extension Activity suggests an activity, but it is not included in the lesson plan. The lesson plan is excellent, however, those inclusions would make them perfect!

3) In your expert opinion, is the tool useful for the creation of rigorous lesson plans? Support your answer with evidence.

    I will definitely use this tool for the creation of rigorous lesson plans. The sections follow the 5E lesson structure:

•     Engage: The opening begins with a real-world scenario and engages students "by asking them how they think parabolas are used in architecture and engineering.
•     Explore: The introduction to new material and use of technology to see graphs of quadratic functions allows students to see the shape and patterns involved in parabolic shapes.
•     Explain: The guided and independent practice sections allow students to formalize their understanding of parabolic/quadratic functions and how to identify the key components of the graphs, including identifying domain, range, x- and y-intercepts, vertex, and axis of symmetry.
•     Extend:  An extension activity is included that suggests providing "a challenge problem involving a real-world application of quadratic functions, such as a projectile motion."
•     Evaluate: The assessment activity is relevant and includes a literary component and suggests a worksheet requiring graphing a quadratic function and identifying the key features.

4) Share the lesson plan that was provided and include it with your post.

The lesson can be found at https://app.magicschool.ai/tools/lesson-plan-generator?share=28f8cb94-9d49-47f5-bf4c-3aa761c47dca. You will need to sign in or sign up in order to view the lesson. This is free!

Part 2: Interact with at least one AI powered tool of your choosing on the Magic School page.

1) Which tool did you choose? What does it do?

    I chose "Math Story Word Problems" to generate some real-world questions for use with the lesson plan. 

2) Is it useful? Justify your answer.

Yes, the tool was extremely useful. I asked the AI powered tool to create real-world scenario problems related to parabolic structures. The tool created 3 real-world contextual word problems that relate to parabolic shapes.

This feature alleviates one of my suggested improvements, as this was so quick and accurately provided me with real-world scenarios that could be used as extension or even assessment. The AI tool created the following:

Parabolic Shapes in Real-World Contexts: Quadratic Functions

1. The Golden Gate Bridge's iconic suspension cables form a parabolic shape. An engineer is studying the main cable, which can be modeled by the quadratic function h(x) = -0.005x^2 + 4x + 150, where h(x) represents the height of the cable in feet, and x is the horizontal distance from the tower in feet. What is the maximum height of the cable, and how far from the tower does this maximum height occur?

2. A local amusement park is designing a new roller coaster. The track for one section follows a parabolic path described by the function y = -0.02x^2 + 4x + 25, where y is the height in meters and x is the horizontal distance in meters. The engineers need to know the highest point of this section for safety regulations. What is the maximum height of the track, and at what horizontal distance does it occur?

3. A water fountain in a city park shoots water in a parabolic arc. The path of a water droplet can be modeled by the equation h(t) = -16t^2 + 40t, where h(t) is the height of the water in feet, and t is the time in seconds since the droplet left the nozzle. How long does it take for the water droplet to reach its maximum height, and what is this maximum height?

Were this a Word document the mathematical symbols would be preserved. 

3) Would you use it to deliver instruction or assess learning with your students? Tell about how you might use it.

    I could use this AI tool to generate story problems for the different concepts that we address in my Algebra II classes. I already have the lesson plan and story word problems saved for use in the near future when we cover quadratic functions. There is also a worksheet generator so I could easily create a worksheet for the independent practice section.

 Part 3: Reflection

1) What are your thought? Is Magic School a resource you would use with your students? Would you share it with colleagues? Why or why not?

    

    I wish I had known about this AI resource sooner! There are quite a few tools that I want to explore such as "Make it Relevant," "Math Spiral Review," and "Real World Connections." All of these sound excellent for review and engaging students with interesting scenarios that connect to life.

    I would definitely share it with colleagues, and I hope any Algebra II instructors in EDUC 5313 see this blog. I am the only teacher at my school that teaches Algebra II, so there is not anyone to share this specific lesson with. However, the entire site includes other content areas, so I will be sharing the Magic School site with my entire high school. I want all students and teachers to have access to this resource.

2) What challenges do you see that would discourage you from using Magic School, if any? What concerns do you have, if any?

    There is nothing about this online AI resource that would discourage me from using this resource. The lesson plan was excellent, and the AI tools are fantastic tools that will save teachers time and provide students with quality lesson plans/activities. I do not have any concerns at this time.

3) What benefits do you see in the Magic School, if any?

    The site really does appear to work magically, as it is simple to navigate and generates responses immediately. Teachers can create lessons to follow a 5E lesson plan format, which is research based best practice.

4) Do you have experience using other AI tools in the classroom? If so, describe.

    I do not have any other experience using AI tools, but this product has me highly interested and motivated to explore other potential AI tools and to not be afraid to utilize AI.  I have used AI on the internet to generate ideas for class projects, but nothing that comes close to the Magic School! 

References:

1. Students. (2023, March 15). ISTE. https://iste.org/standards/students

(2023, October 17). MagicSchool.ai - AI for teachers - lesson planning and more!. https://www.magicschool.ai/

Oklahoma academic standards. (n.d.). Oklahoma State Department of Education. https://sde.ok.gov/oklahoma-academic-standards