Teaching

Greetings,

I had my students read an article of the week about ChatGPT – an artificial intelligence tool that is scaring educators across the world. Many think students will lose the ability to write because they can have ChatGPT write for them. My students agreed they are better off learning to write than allowing a machine to do it for them. However, they felt it might be helpful as a springboard for their writing assignments.

So I played with it for a bit today. I asked it several questions about the current novel we are reading, The Great Gatsby, and found it came up with some great information. I was able to ask it to revise some of my questions and it came up with better content. I think this would be a good tool for teachers to get a student started. We know how our students write so we should be able to tell if a student used ChatGPT and did not add their own voice. I plan to use it as a way to encourage students to find different ways to answer the same prompt.

I also took a moment to ask ChatGPT about me. The first response was not accurate but it was close. It said I was a professional coach, which I’m not. I asked it to revise it again and then it told me I had overcome a traumatic brain injury. Huh? I told it I did not have a traumatic brain injury but had overcome the trauma of raising a severely disabled son. I also reminded it that I wrote more than just “Caregivers’ Devotions to Go.” I did not mention I had written “My Message is Clear” but I did mention I have eight journals on my published list.

This is what ChatGPT came up with for my bio:

Gigi Devine Murfitt is a speaker, writer, and high school teacher. She is the author of the book “Caregiver’s Devotions to Go,” which offers practical tips and inspirational stories for caregivers who are looking to find hope, joy, and peace in their daily lives. In addition to her book, Murfitt has published eight journals to help readers learn how to use writing as a tool for healing and self-reflection.

Murfitt is also a motivational speaker who has shared her personal experiences as a caregiver and mother of a severely disabled son with audiences across the United States and around the world. She offers practical tools and strategies for resilience and growth, drawing from her own experiences and insights.

As a high school teacher, Murfitt helps her students unlock their potential and find meaning and purpose in their lives. She also emphasizes the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection in her teaching.

Murfitt’s work is focused on helping people to find hope, joy, and peace in the midst of life’s challenges. She is a testament to the power of resilience and has inspired many with her message of hope and inspiration.

Tell me what you think!

Artificial intelligence is a great resource but it is NOT the be-all-end-all solution because it certainly has some issues. You can use it, teach it what it said wrong, and learn from the way it chose to say what you might have said a different way.

Let me know if you want me to show you how to use it.

Blessings sent your way

Gigi

Greetings Friend,
I have been radio silent for a while on this blog as I work on my Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. I also teach high school accounting and personal finance. I’ve done a lot of writing, just not here on the blog. Each week I write two discussion question responses and somethings two papers or I might create a PowerPoint presentation or lesson plan. Needless to say, my writing life has kept going, just down a different road.
I end my first year as a teacher next week and I’m glad I survived. I learned to never underestimate the time and energy it takes to teach our young people. The amazing gifts of the teachers I work with are poured out every day. I don’t know a teacher who only works school hours. Most will be taking classes this summer. I know I will. Many are up late grading papers, writing lesson plans or crafting some sort of unique project to make school more interesting.
It matters every day
Hats off to all teachers. I’ve always known this to be a difficult yet rewarding profession because I watched my mom care for her students with notes on their English papers to encourage them. I witnessed my sister Kathy tenderly care for the 4th graders she taught for over 30 years. My brother, Jack, retired last year from over 30 years teaching automotive technology at a college. While they retire from the career they love, I’m just getting started.
The Future of the World is in my Classroom Today
Why teach, you say? Because I’ve always felt called to share what I’ve learned in the years I’ve worked in the accounting profession. Over twenty years ago I wrote on a devotion in my Bible, “Is teaching for me, Lord?” Each time I’d come to that devotion, I’d write another note. “Perhaps teaching Bible?” “Maybe I’m supposed to teach by writing books?” “Lord, is this me?”
YES
He answered with a resounding, “Yes, this is you,” when I was laid off from my job. I learned shortly thereafter that I qualify for a retraining program. I took a long shot and asked if I could retrain to be a teacher. I was accepted into the program and in June spring I started classes at Grand Canyon University. Then this part-time teaching job came to me and I’ve been able to put what I’m learning right to use in the classroom. So now I get to teach students how to take care of their own money and how to account for someone else’s books. I also get to teach English which I’m thrilled about. I’ll be student teaching English classes next fall. I feel like I’m following in my mom’s footsteps and that makes me smile.
I want to encourage you today. If you are at a crossroad in your career and want a change, it’s never too late. If you think you are too old, you aren’t. The world needs you. So ask the Lord, “Is this for me, Lord?” It is my hope and my prayer that you hear “Yes it is, my daughter.” or “Yes, it is, my son.” He is faithful and gives you the desires of your heart.
Bless you,
Gigi

ChatGPT and Me

Yes, its for you!