Best Custom GPTs for Modern Teaching

In this article, we will:

• Understanding Custom GPTs
• Highlight top Custom GPTs for various educational tasks
• Discuss best practices for implementing AI tools in the classroom
• Address ethical considerations surrounding AI in education
• Look ahead to the future of Custom GPTs in teaching and learning

Understanding Custom GPTs

Custom GPTs are specialized versions of AI language models like ChatGPT, tailored for specific tasks or topics. They allow users to create personalized AI assistants without coding, incorporating custom instructions, knowledge, and capabilities. These AI-powered tools can be designed for various purposes, from improving productivity to enhancing learning, making AI more accessible and practical for daily use.

Educational Custom GPTs come in many forms. They offer personalized learning support, assist with lesson planning, automate grading, exam creation, and enhance curriculum development. We will now look at some of the ones that we think are the most useful.

Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development: AI-Powered Creativity

The traditional process of crafting lesson plans is being revolutionized by AI, offering time-saving and creativity-enhancing solutions.

Spotlight: Lesson Planner GPT

This GPT is designed to assist educators by creating customized lesson plans that integrate hyperlinks, videos, and other resources. It offers a variety of lesson plan formats and supports a range of teaching methodologies, helping teachers design engaging and effective lessons.

Some Key Capabilities:

1. Inquiry-Based Lesson Plans – Encourages hands-on learning and problem-solving through experiments or group activities.
2. Traditional Lesson Plans – Provides structured, objective-driven plans with guided instruction and practice.
3. Five-E Lesson Plans – Follows the engage, explain, explore, elaborate, and evaluate approach, taking students through a comprehensive learning cycle.
4. Step-by-Step Teaching Frameworks – Breaks down STEM concepts in a simplified manner for clear student and teacher understanding.

This GPT adapts to the grade level, subject, and needs of students, offering accommodations for diverse learners and the ability to include supplemental materials like videos and resources when requested.

Additional Lesson Planning Tools

• Lesson Plan Creation (Sophia): Interdisciplinary lesson plans with expert and historical figure critiques.
• Lesson Planning Wizard: Crafts creative lesson plans tailored to students' needs.
• iTeachAI Multilingual Lesson Plan Creator: A custom lesson plan creator supporting multiple languages for global teaching.

Assessment and Feedback: AI-Assisted Grading Revolution

Custom GPTs are enhancing the assessment process, providing efficiency in grading tasks.

Spotlight: Rubric Driven Grading Assistant

The Rubric Driven Grading Assistant is an AI tool designed to evaluate student writing based on a specific grading rubric provided by the user. Here are the key capabilities:

Some Key Capabilities:

1. Rubric Adherence: It reproduces the rubric exactly, grading strictly by its criteria without any modifications.

2. Flexible Grading: You can choose grading levels—strict, loose (for younger or creative work), or balanced by default.

3. Detailed, Encouraging Feedback: It offers structured feedback for each rubric category, with suggestions for improvement, and delivers supportive comments to motivate students.

4. Re-Grading and Customization: It can re-evaluate specific sections upon request and accommodate special grading instructions for individual students.

5. Grade Calculation: Provides a final score and percentage based on the rubric’s point distribution.

Now we will discuss this in detail later, but it's important to also mention here that such tools can be of great help, grading should be used judiciously. Teachers should always review AI-generated feedback to ensure accuracy and add personalized comments that reflect their understanding of individual student progress. These tools are just that, tools, and must not be a replacement for the teacher's duties.

Additional Assessment Tools

• Rubric Evaluator: Consistently evaluates student essays using detailed rubrics with clear summaries.
• Grading Assistant : Helps grade research papers based on your rubric and desired format.
• Assessment Architect: Expert in academic assessment creation and analysis.

Subject-Specific Tools: AI Across the Curriculum

Custom GPTs have been developed to cater to various academic disciplines, offering specialized assistance across the curriculum.

Writing and Language Arts

The Writing Assistant GPT offers grammar corrections and enhances the formality of writing. It allows you to paste your text and receive 4 improved versions, from basic grammar fixes to high formality.

Other notable tools include:

• Writing Coach with Human Tone: Offers grammar corrections and enhancements with a natural touch.
• Academic Writing Support: Aids in essay brainstorming, drafting, and refining academic papers.

Mathematics and Science

Math Tutor Eureka GPT guides you through any STEM problem with step-by-step hints and insightful questions. It's designed to maximize learning, whether you start from scratch or provide your working solution.

Additional STEM-focused GPTs include:

• Math & Physics Algebra Calculus Stats: Comprehensive tool for solving math problems step-by-step.
• Science Explorer: Discover various scientific domains through a guided exploration.
• Science Explainer: Breaks down complex science topics into simple explanations for all levels.

History and Social Studies

The History Helper GPT assists with IB History of the Americas IAs by delivering in-depth, well-researched historical analysis and thorough source evaluation. It ensures academic integrity and adheres to formal writing standards, focusing on improving the quality of arguments and meeting IB criteria.

Other history-focused GPTs include:

• History Speaks: Engages you in conversations with influential historical figures.
• History Reimagined: Generates alternate historical timelines based on different events.

Language Learning

The Language Coach GPT offers opportunities to practice speaking various languages conversationally.

Additional language learning GPTs include:

• Language Learner: Supports 20+ languages with interactive lessons and storytelling.
• Language Tutor: Boost your vocabulary through engaging conversations.

Classroom Engagement and Management: AI as a Teaching Assistant

Custom GPTs offer innovative solutions to enhance classroom management and student engagement.

Spotlight: Classroom Coach

This GPT can guide you through various classroom management scenarios. It presents multiple-choice situations where you make decisions based on relational care, empathy, and motivation theories. The outcomes of your choices will shape the scenario, allowing you to see the consequences of different strategies in a classroom setting. Let me know when you're ready to start a scenario!

Additional Engagement Tools

• MicroSims for Education: Builds custom interactive simulations for educational content.
• Creative Canvas: Craft personalized images for class presentations in 30 seconds.

Collaboration and Professional Development: AI-Powered Teamwork

Custom GPTs are facilitating teamwork and professional growth among educators.

Spotlight: Collaboration Catalyst

The Collaboration Catalyst GPT assists in enhancing collaboration within your team or organization

It can help you improve collaboration by:

1. Collaboration Surveys: Guide you in creating surveys (e.g., using Microsoft Forms) based on the 10 Foundational Elements of Collaboration to assess team dynamics.

2. Data Interpretation: Assist in analyzing survey results to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

3. Collaboration Models: Explain different collaboration models (e.g., cross-functional, virtual) to fit your team’s needs.

4. Best Practices: Offer tips on tools and strategies for better teamwork and transparency

Additional Collaboration Tools

• Remote Work Optimizer: Boosts collaboration and productivity for remote teaching teams.
• Coder: Facilitates real-time collaboration in coding and educational projects.

Implementing Custom GPTs: Best Practices for the Classroom

To effectively integrate Custom GPTs into the classroom, educators should consider the following best practices:

1. Start small: Begin with one or two GPTs and gradually expand.
2. Align with learning objectives: Ensure GPT use supports curriculum goals.
3. Provide clear guidelines: Establish rules for students on AI tool usage.
4. Combine with traditional methods: Use GPTs to complement proven teaching techniques.
5. Stay updated: Regularly explore new GPTs and updates to leverage the latest capabilities.
6. Use judiciously and avoid embarassment!

Ethical Considerations: Navigating the AI Landscape Responsibly

The use of Custom GPTs in education raises important ethical considerations:

1. Privacy and data security: Protect student data and comply with educational privacy laws.
2. Upholding academic honesty: Create explicit guidelines for the use of AI tools by both students and teachers.
3. Human oversight: Always review AI-generated content before classroom use.
4. Equity of access: Ensure equal access to AI tools for all students.
5. Critical thinking: Encourage students to evaluate AI-generated information critically.

The Future of AI in Education: A Glimpse Ahead

Custom GPTs is just the tip of the iceberg. The developments in AI is happening at a rapid pace. Companies are racing with each other to come up with the next best large language model, and techniques of improving AI in general. Additionally, the prospect of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) looms on the horizon and there appears to be no regulatory body to slow this progress.

Personally it is quite scary. And even though we may be part of it, as we create AI applications and write about AI, I'm not sure if it is all a good thing. But technology is moving on, with or without us. Teachers and students, along with the rest of us, need to be educated about these developments and adapt accordingly.

Conclusion: Embracing the AI Revolution in Education

Custom GPTs represent a powerful set of tools that can enhance various aspects of teaching and learning. From streamlining lesson planning to providing innovative ways of engaging students, these AI assistants offer numerous opportunities to improve educational outcomes.

As we navigate this AI-enhanced educational landscape, it's crucial to approach these tools thoughtfully, considering both their benefits and potential ethical implications. The goal is to leverage Custom GPTs in ways that enhance, rather than replace, the irreplaceable human elements of teaching.

The integration of Custom GPTs in education isn't just about adopting new technology; it's about reimagining how we teach and learn in the digital age. As we continue to explore and refine the use of these tools, we have the opportunity to create more engaging, personalized, and effective educational experiences for all students.