Custom GPTs: Your Digital Teaching Assistant

Welcome back to EdTech Edge, where we explore the intersection of education, technology, and transformation. I’m Dr. Marilyn Carroll, and today, we are diving into a topic that I find incredibly fascinating: Custom GPTs in the Classroom. This episode is inspired by an enlightening article from Harvard titled 'How to Create and Use Custom GPTs for Education,' penned by Haya Ajjan. So if you’ve ever been curious about how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance your teaching experience, then you're in the right place!

Now, let’s start with the big picture. Why does this discussion even matter? When generative AI first burst onto the scene, I was initially thrilled but also cautious. There have been real concerns surrounding misinformation, dependency on tech, and even academic dishonesty. But what if I told you there’s a way to flip that narrative? Haya Ajjan's article emphasizes custom GPTs—essentially, these are tailored AI models that can act as your digital teaching assistant, your role-play partner, or even your study coach. The kicker here? You don’t need any programming skills to dive in!

Let’s break down how it works, shall we? Haya Ajjan outlines a straightforward, step-by-step process to create your own custom GPT, and I think you’ll find it accessible. First, hop onto ChatGPT and head over to the 'Explore GPTs' section. Next, click on the ‘+ Create’ button located in the top right corner. Here, you’ll encounter the GPT Builder interface, featuring two tabs: Create, which is for quick builds, and Configure, giving you total control.

Now let's get into some specifics. Under the Create tab, you’ll find a few fields to fill in. You’ll want to enter your GPT's name and a brief description. Then, there are behavioral instructions you can add. For instance, you might instruct it to 'Act as a sales coach.' You can also upload files, like your syllabus, slides, or any assignment briefs you have. And if you want to ramp it up, select capabilities such as data analysis or even conducting web searches.

But wait, there’s even more! You can personalize the interaction by preparing conversation starters for students. Imagine a button they can click that says, 'Help me practice my sales pitch,' or how about one saying, 'What are the top Costa Rican companies focused on sustainability?' The options are pretty endless! Oh, and did I mention it can use voice, too? This means it could answer students in a more engaging, human-like manner.

You might be asking, Why is this method so advantageous? One significant reason is that these AI tools only utilize the content you upload. This helps mitigate those pesky AI hallucinations we’ve all heard about—where the AI might fabricate facts or provide inaccurate information. By personalizing and grounding the GPT with your materials, you enhance reliability.

Nova: However, like any powerful tool, there are limitations to keep in mind. For instance, one risk is that students may become overly reliant on this technology. What does that mean for their learning experience? Too much content uploaded can also inadvertently cause those hallucinations we dread. We must remember that these custom GPTs aren’t powered by the most sophisticated GPT models out there just yet. And currently, the voice feature is limited to one default option.

Thank you for tuning in to EdTech Edge. If this episode ignited new ideas for your classroom, please share it with a fellow educator. And don’t forget to subscribe because we’re just getting started! Until next time, I’m Dr. Marilyn Carroll, helping you lead, learn, and innovate—one tool at a time.

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