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 Activities Using a chatbot to get feedback on assignments

Using a chatbot to get feedback on assignments

Short description

Students use a chatbot to get specific feedback on a text they have written. 

              

Objective

THE OBJECTIVE

TEXT EDITING
  • Students learn how to use chatbots to get feedback on assignments. This gives students an insight into their own strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to ask the teacher more specific questions during supervision. 

CRITICAL REFLECTION
  • Students learn how to critically reflect on the feedback they receive and whether it meets the requirements of the genre.  

Execution

PREPARATIONS

TEACHER'S PREPARATION
  • Consider which criteria apply to the written assignment in question. Students should use these criteria as a starting point for writing their assignment and receiving feedback. Inform students of the criteria prior to the exercise. 

STUDENT PREPARATION
  • Ask students to write parts of an assignment prior to class, such as a paragraph or a problem statement.

IN CLASS

IN PLENUM

(5-10 minutes)

  • Start by introducing the exercise and which chatbot to use. Consider spending more time on this if students aren’t familiar with using chatbots. Consider starting with a discussion of the limitations of chatbots. (#LINK til Educate om chatbots) 

  • Discuss which criteria the chatbot should give feedback on.  

  • Create a prompt for the chatbot together to enable the chatbot to start giving feedback. Discuss what is important to include in the prompt, e.g. whether the text fulfils the criteria of that genre, is coherent, is short and concise or if the punctuation is correct.

INDIVIDUALLY

(10 minutes)

  • Students put their written assignment in the chatbot and ask for feedback.

  • Students note and reflect on the feedback.

IN PLENUM

(10 minutes)
  • Students share their experiences with each other. Consider asking if one or two students would show their text and feedback to the class. Discuss the quality of the feedback given. 

Considerations

CONSIDER

PERSONAL INFORMATION
  • Do not give the chatbots texts containing sensitive personal information, such as names or data on study participants. 

CHOOSING A CHATBOT
  • Make sure the chatbot you choose is relevant to the exercise. Some chatbots aren’t trained on data after a given date and therefore won’t be able to provide feedback on more recent events or information.  

Options to vary the activity

OPTIONS TO VARY THE ACTIVITY

GIVE FEEDBACK TO THE CHATBOT

  • Ask students to write a whole assignment with a chatbot. Make them review the chatbot’s work, fact-check and provide feedback. Students can practise giving feedback as well as gain insight into potential applications of chatbots. Chatbots have character limits, so start with smaller sections or paragraphs to give feedback on.

GRAMMAR
  • Students can also use a chatbot to check their grammar in written assignments. Try testing the chatbot’s capabilities before using it. Provide it with a test-text to be corrected.

Overview

Time frame 45 minutes
When will the activity take place? In class
Format Individual/Pair
Form of instruction Classroom instruction
Type of activity Communication and discussion/Investigation and analysis/Production (of an artefact)/Exercises and experiments
How will the activity take place? In person
Technology Chatbot

Contact

Please contact the editors at AU Educate if you have any questions about the content of the platform or if you need consultation on your teaching from one of the many skilled professionals at the Centre for Educational Development. 

Revised 20.05.2024
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Nina Bang Jensen