Advanced Academics Program and Services and AI in the classroom

As an Advanced Academics Program and Services (AAPS) teacher, I’ve ventured into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and found its benefits to be extraordinary.

Students in sixth grade classes, taught by Shannon Bentley-Carroll and Alexis Beetlestone, read the novel “The Color of My Words.” They compared and contrasted the character Anna Rosa with their own, analyzed text-based evidence, shared responsibilities in literature circles, and examined literary elements. The culminating activity, co-taught by the classroom teachers and the AAPS teacher, used the Six Hats strategy to explore different perspectives.

The Six Hats Strategy (described by AI)

The Six Hats strategy, created by Edward de Bono, is a creative and structured approach to thinking that helps students and teachers explore different perspectives and improve problem-solving skills. Each "hat" represents a different mode of thinking, encouraging a comprehensive analysis of any given situation or topic.

1. White Hat: Focuses on facts and information. Students gather data, identify what they know, and recognize what they need to learn.
2. Red Hat: Represents emotions and feelings. Students express their gut reactions and feelings about the topic without needing to justify them.
3. Black Hat: Emphasizes caution and critical thinking. Students identify potential problems, risks, and obstacles, helping them anticipate challenges.
4. Yellow Hat: Symbolizes optimism and benefits. Students look for the positive aspects and potential benefits of a situation or idea.
5. Green Hat: Encourages creativity and new ideas. Students brainstorm, explore alternatives, and think outside the box.
6. Blue Hat: Focuses on process and control. It involves managing the thinking process, summarizing what has been learned, and deciding on the next steps.

I asked AI to create an image from the story to use as a provocative introduction to sixth graders using the Six Hats strategy. I quickly discovered AI’s shortcomings, but it also offers tremendous benefits, such as saving time and targeting objectives.

The class was sorted into six hat groups. Using the AI-generated image of Anna Rosa, we as a class looked at each hat perspective together. Each group had time to discuss their observations before we came back together as a class to share our answers.

Next, each group was given AI-generated questions specific to their hat’s perspective. AI formed discussion questions around the essential question. Each group discussed their answers before moving to the next step. 

Here are examples of the questions:

• Black Hat: How do Anna Rosa’s choices impact her safety?
• Yellow Hat: What are some examples of how the character’s decisions lead to personal growth and development?
• White Hat: What significant events shape Anna Rosa’s choices throughout the story and why?
• Red Hat: How do the characters’ feelings influence their actions and decisions?
• Blue Hat: How do the choices made by Anna Rosa and other characters contribute to the overall message of the story?
• Green Hat: What are some alternative choices Anna Rosa could have made, and how might they have changed the story?

After the discussion, students could either create a poster or present the information to the class.

Benefits (described by AI)

• Enhanced Critical Thinking: Using the Six Hats strategy, students learn to approach problems from multiple angles, fostering deeper understanding and critical analysis.
• Improved Collaboration: This strategy encourages group discussions where each student can contribute different perspectives, leading to more comprehensive solutions.
• Structured Thinking: The Six Hats strategy provides a clear framework for thinking, helping students organize their thoughts and make more informed decisions.
• Engagement and Participation: The varied thinking modes keep students engaged and make the learning process more dynamic and interactive.