Recorded SessionI. Introduction: The Local Literacy Crisis and AI (5 Minutes)
1. The "Why": We'll start by sharing the stark local reality—the 80% of all students reading below grade level—to establish the critical need for change.
2. The Solution: We’ll explain how a collaborative team and our strategic plan led to this area of focus in my GenAI Fellowship Action Research, demonstrating the power of a strategic approach.
3. The Tool: We'll introduce Google Gemini as a key AI tool, emphasizing that it's part of a broader, strategic district AI plan supported by professional development. And part of our Google for Education domain.
4. Engagement: A quick poll will ask you to share your biggest MTSS or differentiation challenge.
5. Show, Don't Tell: Watch a 60-second video clip of a teacher using Gemini and Google Classroom to reclaim an hour of planning time while effectively supporting students.
6. Takeaways: You’ll gain a clear understanding of the problem's scope, the power of collaboration, and the session's promise: increased efficiency and equity in teaching.
II. Hands-On Lab Part 1: Foundational Skills (20 Minutes)
1. This lab focuses on using Google Gemini and Gemini for Classroom for rapid, targeted resource creation for foundational skills and vocabulary.
2. Modeling: I will model and present three distinct prompt choices for generating literacy support resources, such as:
2.a. Creating Phonological Awareness resources (e.g., writing decodable text or flashcards).
2.b. Designing rich, context-based Vocabulary materials.
3. Your Turn: You'll receive a link to a Google Gemini prompt resource. You can copy and paste a template prompt, then modify it to instantly generate your own target resource. You can try more than one prompt if time allows.
4. Peer-to-Peer: Work with a neighbor to critique and share successful prompts you created.
5. Product: You will create and save your own Gemini prompt template for instant foundational skill/vocabulary resource generation.
III. Hands-On Lab Part 2: Differentiating Text and Making It Accessible (25 Minutes)
1. In this lab, you'll learn to use NotebookLM to differentiate complex text and make it accessible to a diverse group of scholars.
2. Modeling & Exploration: I will demonstrate how to use NotebookLM to create scaffolds, summaries, quizzes, and other resources. You'll follow along, exploring a topic of interest to you. This includes:
2.a. Attaching a complex text (like a science article) and asking NotebookLM to create a scaffolded, leveled version.
2.b. Generating text summaries, comprehension questions, audio overviews, interactive resources (like flashcards and quizzes), and even translated text. This will assist struggling readers, English Language Learners, or students with diverse learning preferences.
3. Your Turn: You'll receive a step-by-step experience and a link to a series of resources to copy and paste into NotebookLM. You will design a resource of your choice, such as a listenable audio overview of a text.
4. Product: You will successfully differentiate a complex text into a scaffolded version and save the new resource to your account.
IV. Conclusion & Next Steps (10 Minutes)
1. Resources: I will share a curated library of GenAI and Gemini resources for various literacy needs.
2. Q&A and Reflection: We'll use the initial polling tool one last time to answer unanswered questions captured during the session.
3. Takeaway: You will leave with access to curated resources and the new resources you created during the hands-on labs.
4. Call to Action: You're invited to join the free ISTE/ASCD AI on Connect community to keep learning.
1. Generate resources for foundational reading skills, such as targeted phonological awareness games or word recognition flashcards, with Google Gemini.
2. Differentiate the reading experience by using NotebookLM to consolidate and adjust complex content-area text and instantly create a scaffolded, leveled version for struggling readers that is listenable.
3. Design robust vocabulary-building resources using Gemini for Classroom to increase student reading comprehension.
4. Create adaptable resources that support reading comprehension strategies, such as graphic organizers, translation, and more.
5. Evaluate their curriculum to select the most impactful GenAI resources for their unique MTSS challenges, ensuring teacher time is focused on high-leverage instruction and accelerating student reading growth.
https://education.vermont.gov/content/putting-vermonts-literacy-laws-practice
https://iste.org/ai
https://www.ascd.org/books/ai-enhanced-literacy?variant=125036
https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/developing-knowledgeable-readers
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