AI Month - Top 5 Ways beginner trainers and assessors in VET might use ChatGPT

As a new trainer or assessor in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, you’re likely juggling many tasks—creating lesson plans, assessing students, and providing support. One tool that can help streamline your work and spark creativity is ChatGPT. This AI tool can assist with a range of tasks, from lesson planning to providing feedback to students.

Here are five top ways you can use ChatGPT in your VET teaching and assessing practice:

1. Creating Lesson Plans and Learning Materials
   ChatGPT can help generate ideas and structure for lesson plans. You can use it to create lesson objectives, structure content logically, and even suggest activities or case studies that fit your learners' needs.

   Example: If you’re teaching a unit on workplace communication, you can ask ChatGPT to outline key topics, provide sample dialogue scenarios, or suggest group activities to reinforce learning.

2. Developing Assessment Questions
   Designing assessments can be time-consuming. ChatGPT can help by generating questions for quizzes, tests, or practical assessments. You can customise these to suit different units of competency, whether it’s for theory-based assessments or hands-on tasks.

   Example: You might need questions for a practical assessment on using tools safely in a trades course. ChatGPT can generate scenario-based questions to test students’ understanding of safety protocols.

3. Providing Feedback to Students
   Giving detailed, constructive feedback is crucial, but it can also be repetitive. ChatGPT can assist by generating feedback templates based on your observations. You can tailor these to fit the needs of individual students.

   Example: After an assessment, ChatGPT can help you structure feedback that highlights strengths, areas for improvement, and suggestions for future learning.

4. Brainstorming Ideas for Learning Activities
   ChatGPT can serve as a creative partner when you’re brainstorming ideas for interactive or engaging learning activities. Whether it’s role-playing scenarios, group projects, or real-life case studies, ChatGPT can provide suggestions that you can adapt to your classroom.

   Example: If you’re teaching a unit on conflict resolution, ChatGPT can suggest role-play scenarios that reflect real workplace situations, allowing students to practise problem-solving in a controlled environment.

5. Simplifying Complex Topics
   Sometimes, learners struggle to grasp complex concepts. ChatGPT can break down complicated ideas into simpler terms, making it easier for you to explain these to your students in a way they understand.

   Example: In a unit on ethical decision-making, ChatGPT can help you create easy-to-follow examples or analogies that clarify abstract concepts for learners.

Avoiding Shallow Learning: 3 Strategies to Ensure Students Gain Knowledge When Using ChatGPT

While ChatGPT can be an incredible learning tool, it’s important to ensure that students are not engaging in shallow learning—where they rely too heavily on AI without fully understanding the material. Here are three strategies to prevent this and make sure students build the knowledge they need.

1. Encourage Active Learning
   Passive consumption of AI-generated content can lead to shallow learning. Encourage students to engage with the material by discussing, debating, and applying what they learn. Instead of simply reading ChatGPT-generated summaries, have students explain the concepts in their own words, ask questions, and explore different perspectives.

   Strategy: After using ChatGPT to explain a topic, ask students to break into small groups and discuss how they would apply the concept in a real-world scenario. This reinforces active engagement with the content.

2. Set Higher-Order Thinking Tasks
   To ensure deeper learning, design tasks that require students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Rather than accepting ChatGPT’s answers at face value, have students compare AI-generated responses with other sources and evaluate the reliability of the information.

   Strategy: After using ChatGPT to generate an initial answer to a question, have students research the topic further and compare the AI’s response with textbooks or other reliable sources. They can then present their findings and discuss which sources are most credible.

3. Integrate Practical Assessments
   Shallow learning can occur if students rely too much on written or theoretical content without practical application. Ensure that students demonstrate their understanding through practical assessments or hands-on activities, where they apply the knowledge gained from using ChatGPT.

   Strategy: For a unit on workplace safety, you could have students first use ChatGPT to identify key safety procedures, then perform a safety check or role-play a real-life scenario in the classroom to demonstrate their understanding.

Final Thoughts

As a beginner trainer or assessor in VET, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool to enhance your teaching practice and make your workload more manageable. From lesson planning to feedback, this AI tool has much to offer. However, it’s crucial to ensure that students are engaging deeply with the material and not relying on AI for superficial learning. By encouraging active participation, setting higher-order thinking tasks, and integrating practical assessments, you can ensure that your students gain the knowledge and skills they need for success in the workplace.