With the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), new tools are emerging that promise to revolutionise how we teach and learn. For me, one such tool that is becoming very popular is Gamma AI. I discovered this recently from Frances O’Donnell at CESICon as a great example of how AI can be integrated into education.
What is Gamma AI?
Gamma AI is, in simple terms, an AI-powered presentation and document creation tool. Unlike traditional tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides, Gamma AI uses artificial intelligence to generate visually appealing and informative content based on simple text prompts. Similar to other AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gamma AI output is only as effective as the prompt that is inputted.
Essentially, you provide Gamma AI with a topic or outline, and it will generate slides or documents with relevant text, images, and layouts. It focuses on creating a structured and visually engaging experience, allowing users to spend less time on design and more time on content.
How Can Teachers Use Gamma AI?
For educators, Gamma AI presents a range of potential applications:
Creating Engaging Lesson Materials: Imagine quickly generating visually stimulating presentations on a topic of your choice, or a lesson to teach students. The appeal here is the design and creativity of Gamma AI.
Developing Interactive Quizzes and Assessments: Teachers can use Gamma AI to create interactive quizzes or assessments, saving time on formatting and design.
Generating Student Handouts and Worksheets: Gamma AI can be used to produce well-structured and visually appealing handouts or worksheets.
In a time where educators are often stretched for time, Gamma AI offers a potential solution for creating high-quality resources quickly and efficiently.
Considerations for Irish Educators
While Gamma AI holds promise, there are important considerations for teachers to be mindful of:
Accuracy and Fact-Checking: Like any AI tool, Gamma AI’s output should be carefully reviewed for accuracy. The generated material must be fact checked and reviewed. Please do not rely fully on the information received as some information could potentially be incorrect.
AI Generated Images: Although the presentations are aesthetically pleasing, I find the AI generated images (in some cases) to be less aesthetically pleasing than I would have liked. Changing these images to “real” images is more effective as it can sometimes, especially for students.
Terms of Use: Teachers should use AI tools as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional teaching methods. AI is a powerful tool, but I find it to be just that – a tool! Please be aware of ethics in terms of when to use AI and when not to use. In my opinion, Gamma AI is useful for making more engaging content and images, but I often change around and put my own “stamp” on the creation as opposed to relying fully on the AI created content itself.
Gamma AI is just one example of the many AI tools that are emerging in the education sector. As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial for Irish educators to stay informed and explore how these tools can be used to enhance teaching and learning. There are both potential benefits and challenges for educators in navigating how AI can play a role in the classroom. However, I find that support and connections with other educators will help guide us in the right direction, and utilise AI as a tool to support learning as opposed to hindering learning.
Many thanks to Frances O’Donnell for highlighting the use of Gamma AI in education at the recent CESICon in Limerick!
Thanks for reading!