An Open Letter to All iCivics Teachers

How to Enhance the iCivics Learning Experience with ChatGPT and Class Companion

4 min readOct 19, 2023

My name is Peter Paccone, and I am both a California iCivics Teacher Fellow and a Social Studies teacher at San Marino High School.

I’m reaching out today with the news that, as a longtime fan of iCivics and its invaluable resources, I have recently authored two blog posts that contain insights that should significantly benefit iCivics-using teachers and their students, though neither post directly mentions iCivics:

Post #1: Using ChatGPT for Crafting APUSH-Style SAQs and Integrating with Class Companion

This post outlines how APUSH teachers can utilize ChatGPT to create customized Short Answer Questions (SAQs) easily and subsequently upload them to Class Companion. This platform enables students to receive instant feedback while attempting to answer these questions. The ultimate goal is to enhance comprehension and foster deeper engagement with the course material.

I’m sharing this because I believe this ChatGPT/Class Companion-driven approach can also be applied to the teaching of civics using iCivics interactive computer games.

Imagine this scenario: a teacher, aiming to educate their students about the U.S. presidential election process, introduces their students to the popular iCivics game “Win the White House.” Now, envision the same teacher leveraging ChatGPT to effortlessly craft one or more tailored SAQs and then uploading these SAQs to Class Companion. Students can then answer these questions and receive instant feedback, thereby acquiring both a far better understanding of and a deeper engagement with the material.

Post #2: The Fishbowl Discussion Strategy: A Fresh Approach Utilizing ChatGPT and Class Companion,

This article kicks off by highlighting the valuable role of ChatGPT in assisting teachers who plan to implement the Fishbowl discussion strategy. Specifically, it outlines how ChatGPT can help educators in various aspects of preparing for and conducting a Fishbowl discussion. These include generating discussion topics, establishing ground rules, crafting an engaging introduction, and formulating thought-provoking reflection questions.

To better understand the relevance of this post within the context of iCivics, consider this scenario: Picture a classroom full of students actively engaged in “Win the White House.” The excitement and curiosity among these learners are palpable as they navigate the virtual world of politics.

Now, envision the same students, after having played the game, eager to reflect on their virtual adventures. With the seamless integration of ChatGPT-generated reflection questions into Class Companion, these enthusiastic learners embark on yet another educational journey. They express their newfound insights and perspectives in writing, providing a meaningful and reflective conclusion to their learning experience. Class Companion’s instant feedback adds a dynamic element, enhancing the overall learning process.

Conclusion

The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT and Class Companion into educational strategies, as highlighted in both of my articles, holds immense promise for transforming the learning experience, even within the realm of iCivics.

By leveraging the capabilities of AI and harnessing platforms like Class Companion, teachers can empower their students with innovative methods of engagement, reflection, and instant feedback. This not only fosters excitement and curiosity as students explore the virtual world of politics but also opens doors to meaningful reflection, enriching their understanding of civic principles and their role in a democratic society. The future of education lies in these innovative approaches, and it is an exciting prospect for both educators and learners alike.

Sidenote #1

For those not yet familiar with Class Companion, here’s a very well-done 2:23 video explaining the platform (with this video produced by Avery Pan, the Class Companion CEO)

Sidenote #2

In a September 2023 K-12 Dive article entitled ChatGPT Releases Teacher Guide for AI Use in the Classroom, Senior Reporter Kara Arundel wrote the following:

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has released a Teaching with AI Guide for Teachers. The guide includes examples of how K -12 teachers and college faculty use ChatGPT in their classrooms, as well as an FAQ with information on using the tool for assessments, safety guardrails, any potential biases, and other limitations. The guide comes as educators, parents, school advocates, lawmakers, and others are gathering information on best practices and considering standards for classroom use while ensuring students aren’t shortchanged in their development of critical thinking skills

Sidenote #3

Even the most advanced AI tools, like ChatGPT, can provide information that might be outdated or not entirely accurate. Teachers and students should therefore always double-check for accuracy and understanding any ChatGPT-produced piece of information that raises a moment of doubt.