AI Art Generators and their potential for use in ELA classrooms
Introduction: AI Art Generators in schools
I've always been more interested in how much knowledge students gain and their ability to think critically than their grades. "Process > Product" is the vision I've tried to instill in almost every student I've ever had.
Last school year (20/22), as an in-school tech integration coach, I prepared to apply for an immersive media lab at the school where I worked. "WHERE ARE WE GONNA PUT IT?!" my principal asked. My only reply - in all sincerity - was, "I don't know, but I'll figure it out." Sometimes you have to build the plane while you're flying it. I also believe that modern technology sparks imagination and creativity. "Ted, the kids can't read!" she said, obviously under the pressures of state testing immediately following the reopening of schools after the COVID shutdowns.
How might an immersive media lab and the tools that would have been provided to us by the VILS (Verizon Innovative Learning Schools) Grant help with the literacy issues plaguing our school? When I introduced the AR app Timepod Adventures a week or so earlier to two seventh-grade classes as a part of the Discovery Educations Master Class, I saw that kids were excited and curious. They were excited to solve problems and puzzles to get the computer-generated spacecraft to take off and explore Mars.
I think that creative uses of technology are game-changers for kids, especially in places like the Title 1 school where I taught, primarily when the technology allows them to be creators, not just consumers of content.
Enter AI Art:
By now, you've seen AI avatars popping up all over social media. Be honest; you know that you tried Lensa AI. All the kids were doing it.
If you're anything like me, this app led you down a rabbit hole leading you to powerhouse apps like Mid journey, Dall - E 2, and the text-to-image model, Stable Diffusion.
The first time I heard the words "stable diffusion" (WTH?!) was on an Instagram profile called 500 Prince Songs, where the artist has set these incredible moving renderings of my favorite musician set to his music.
But the search became even more interesting when I stumbled upon another profile called imagine_blackness_ai. I first thought about AI Art applications’ potential impact on English classes, particularly in inner-city schools. What kind of impact could art like this have on Black and Brown children? I am, of course, talking about them learning how to create this kind of art. They’d have to essentially speak the art into existence.
Sure, it's cool to create avatars using AI apps like Lensa but imagine students having to think critically and use precise and descriptive language to create art based on a poem or short story!
How might AI art generators be used in ELA classes?
Text-to-image AI Art Generators like Mid Journey and Dall-E2 could be incorporated into classroom instruction in various ways. For example, teachers can assign writing exercises that start with a generated AI artwork to give students an initial starting point. Using text-to-image AI Art Generators, teachers can also transform complex language concepts into visually appealing images – such as similes and metaphors – which can help engage students and make the material easier to retain. AI Art Generators offer a unique way for teachers to enhance learning experiences for English classes by fostering creativity and engaging students in complex language concepts through visual images.
Critical Thinking
Through their use of AI Art Generators, students can develop a variety of critical thinking skills. For example, students can learn to use creativity and imagination to generate images that accurately reflect complex language concepts. Additionally, students might be able to practice problem-solving skills by figuring out how to combine elements from generated images into new works of art.
AI Art Generators could also help students hone their visual literacy skills by learning to interpret and analyze the imagery presented in an artwork. The automated feedback provided by an AI Art Generator could give students valuable experience with self-evaluation and reflection.
Cross Collaboration
There are several ways that art teachers and ELA teachers could cross-collaborate using AI art tools:
Joint lesson plans: Art and ELA teachers could work together to create lesson plans incorporating art and language arts. For example, students could use AI art tools to create art inspired by a piece of literature they are studying.
Collaborative projects: Art and ELA teachers could also collaborate on projects involving art and language arts. For example, students could use AI art tools to create art that illustrates a concept from an ELA lesson, such as a character trait or theme.
Integrating art and language arts: Art and ELA teachers could also find ways to incorporate art and language arts in their separate classrooms. For example, an ELA teacher could have students use AI art tools to create illustrations for a story they are writing, or an art teacher could have students use AI art tools to create art inspired by a poem they are studying.
Overall, cross-collaboration between art and ELA teachers using AI art tools can provide a unique and engaging way for students to learn and practice art and language arts skills.
AI Art Generators have the potential to provide ELA classrooms with a new way of engaging students in critical thinking and creativity. Through the use of AI Art Generators, students can develop essential skills that will benefit them both inside and outside of the classroom. As AI technology advances, it is important for educators to explore different ways to incorporate these tools into their classrooms. By doing so, we can help our students develop the skills they need to be successful in an ever-changing world
While thinking about this post, I found this fantastic video by YouTuber, Lasseter’s Lab. Go further down the rabbit hole:
@imagine_blackness_ai
@500princesongs
