ChatGPT Prompts and Activities for Social Studies Teachers: Using AI in the Social Studies Classroom
Did you know this
You can even train a Chatbot using books written by George Washington and the bot will then answer your questions ?
The chat avatar can be modelled to look and talk like George Washington.
As a middle school teacher, I’ve been fascinated by the intersection of technology and education, especially AI! Over the last several months, ChatGPT has been taking the education world by storm. I’ve been talking with colleagues about how they can use ChatGPT and Open AI in their social studies classroom. I’ve written some ChatGPT prompts and activities for social studies teachers that you can use right away in your classroom!
Using ChatGPT Prompts to Interview Historical Figures
One of the ways to use ChatGPT in the social studies classroom is with interviews. Yes, you can use ChatGPT prompts to have your students interview any historical figure.
Here’s how it works!
Create an AI.DO Account.
ChatGPT Prompt to Act or Answer as a Historical Figure
First, ask the AI to act as the historical figure you’re interviewing.
Answer as George Washington. "George Washington, what made you want to be a part of the American Revolution?"
Replace ChatGPT Prompts with Historical Figures and Events
Next, replace [historical figure] and [event] with the name of the historical figure and event you’re studying. For instance, if you’re studying the American Revolution, you might ask, “George Washington, what made you want to be a part of the American Revolution?”
Here’s what ChatGPT responded:
Scaffold and Differentiate for Learners
If the response is too difficult for your students to understand, ask “George Washington” or the historical figure of your choice to write the response at a different reading level. (You can also ask for a higher grade level to challenge students.)
For elementary school students, the prompts are designed to be more straightforward and engaging, while the prompts for middle and high school students delve deeper into the motivations, challenges, and impacts of the historical figures and events.
Follow-Up with Additional Questions
Here’s when the learning comes in! Have your students read the response and generate additional follow-up questions. I asked ChatGPT, “What was your biggest challenge during the Freedom Struggle?” Here is part of his response:
Continue the conversation with the same or any historical figure. Use these prompts in whole group discussion, independent work, or in stations.
Beginning Historical Figure ChatGPT Prompts
Here are a few prompts to get you started.
1. [Historical figure], what made you want to be a part of [event]?
2. Can you tell me, [historical figure], what it felt like to be around during [event] and what people were saying and doing?
3. [Historical figure], did where you grew up or how you were raised play a part in what you did during [event]?
4. What was really tough for you, [historical figure], during [event] and how did you get through it?
5. [Historical figure], can you tell me why [event] was so important and how it made things different than before?
