iCivics in the Age of AI

Can AI Make the iCivics Games Even More Interesting, Informative, and Engaging?

iCivics, for those who might not know, is an online platform that offers engaging civic education games and resources. It was founded by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009 and since then has become a favorite among middle and high school U.S. History, Government, and Civics teachers, including those teaching AP courses.

But here’s a question: Can teachers and students use AI to further enhance the iCivics learning experience?

As a high school civics teacher with nearly 40 years of experience, an iCivics Fellow, and an advocate for AI in education, I’ve been exploring this question since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. In that time, and especially this summer, I have found at least ten specific ways in which AI can enhance the iCivics game offerings for both teachers and students.

While I won’t cover all ten ways in this post, I want to highlight one, which describes how AI can be used to create an iCivics game-related lesson plan that closes out with Class Companion.

Step #1: Decide Which Game to Play

The first step in this approach is for the teacher to decide which of the 19 iCivics’ games they want their students to play.

1. Argument Wars — Argue real Supreme Court cases to test your lawyering skills.
2. Branches of Power — Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government.
3. Brief the Chief — Advise the president during major moments in U.S. history.
4. Cast Your Vote — Prepare to vote by learning about elections and voting processes.
5. Constitutional Compromise — Find a path forward for a new nation facing disagreements.
6. Convene the Council — Respond to international events as the President in the Situation Room.
7. Counties Work — Manage a county and aim for re-election through effective governance.
8. Counties Work: Texas — Manage local government specifically in a Texas county.
9. Court Quest — Navigate the court system and help citizens reach the right legal institution.
10. Do I Have a Right? — Run a law firm focusing on constitutional rights.
11. Executive Command — Take on the role of the President and handle various executive branch duties.
12. Immigration Nation — Guide newcomers through the citizenship process.
13. LawCraft — Engage in the law-making process of Congress.
14. Neighborhood Good — Make a plan to improve your community by meeting with neighbors.
15. NewsFeed Defenders — Combat fake news and misinformation on social media.
16. People’s Pie — Manage the national budget by balancing taxes and spending.
17. Race to Ratify — Learn about Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the Constitution’s ratification.
18. Uncovering Loyalties — Discover where loyalties lie in Colonial Williamsburg in 1774.
19. Win the White House — Run a presidential campaign and learn about the election process.

Step #2: Prompt the AI to Create a Tailored Lesson Plan

Next up, the teacher prompts an AI platform of their choosing to create a lesson plan tailored to their specific needs and wishes. Something like this, for example:

I’m a summer school U.S. history teacher with a class of incoming 11th graders. Create a 90-minute lesson plan that gives students enough time to play the game Race to Ratify, includes a 15-minute direct instruction segment on the Constitutional Convention, and incorporates the 2:15 TED-Ed video titled “The Making of the Constitution.” Additionally, provide an opportunity for students to answer 10 MCQs on Class Companion and three SAQs.

In the introduction, mention the requirement for students to take notes during the direct instruction, which will be handed in at the end of the period for a completion grade. I will also be placing key points on the whiteboard that I expect to see mentioned in the notes. Provide specific instructions for what I, the teacher, should say during direct instruction and at other key points in the lesson. Include strategies for handling students who finish the game early. Above all, ensure there is a smooth transition between each part of the lesson.

Here’s the response: A 90-Minute “Race to Ratify ” Lesson Plan

Objective: Students will gain an understanding of the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debate by engaging with direct instruction, a short video, and the iCivics game ‘Race to Ratify.’ They will then assess their knowledge through Class Companion’s MCQs and SAQs.

Part 1: Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the students and introduce the objective of the lesson: understanding the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debate.
• Mention the lesson structure: direct instruction, video, game, and assessments.
• Announce the requirement to take notes during the direct instruction. Inform them that they must hand in these notes for a completion grade. Highlight that key points will be provided on the whiteboard to guide their note-taking.

Part 2: Direct Instruction (15 minutes)

• Introduce the Constitutional Convention: Explain its purpose, key figures involved, and the debates over federalism.
• Key points to mention (also write on the whiteboard): The need for a stronger central government; Debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists; Compromises made during the Convention (e.g., the Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise).
• Provide students with specific context on why ratification was a contested issue.
• Include interactive questions to maintain engagement, such as: “Why do you think the balance of power between state and federal government was so contentious?”
• Teacher’s Instructions: Speak slowly, pause for note-taking, and reiterate key points. Highlight that students should include these points in their notes.

Part 3: Video Presentation (5 minutes)

• Introduce the TED-Ed video “The Making of the Constitution” as a brief summary of the Constitutional Convention.
• Play the video (2:15 minutes) and ask students to continue taking notes, focusing on key events and figures mentioned.
• After the video, briefly summarize the main points, tying them back to the key points on the whiteboard.

Part 4: Gameplay — ‘Race to Ratify’ (30 minutes)

• Explain that students will now play the iCivics game ‘Race to Ratify,’ which simulates the debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
• Distribute devices and guide students to the game website. Provide them with brief instructions on how to play.
• Teacher’s Instructions: Circulate the room, offer help as needed, and observe student engagement. For students who finish early, instruct them to explore additional resources within the game or take notes on the strategies used during gameplay.
• Remind students to think about how the game reflects the real historical debate over ratification.

Part 5: Class Companion Assessment (30 minutes)

• Have students log into Class Companion to complete 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 3 short-answer questions (SAQs) related to the lesson.
• Teacher’s Instructions: Offer guidance for students struggling with specific questions. Encourage students to use their notes and knowledge from the gameplay to answer accurately.
• For early finishers, suggest that they review their answers or discuss key concepts with a partner.

Part 6: Conclusion and Review (5 minutes)

• Collect student notes and remind them that these notes will be graded based on completeness.
• Summarize key takeaways from the lesson: the purpose of the Constitutional Convention, the major debates, and the importance of the ratification process.
• Address any remaining questions and provide a brief preview of the next class’s topic.

Step #3: Review and Customize the AI-Generated Lesson Plan

The last thing the teacher needs to do is thoroughly review the AI-generated lesson plan to ensure it meets the specific needs of their class. This review process allows the teacher to decide if any sections need to be refined, expanded, or adjusted. For example, teachers might want to prompt the AI for further clarification on specific parts of the lesson.

Here are some examples of additional prompts you might use to refine the lesson:

Script the Introduction: If you want the entire introduction scripted, you could ask:

• “Script the entire introduction for me, including how to introduce the lesson objectives and how to explain the note-taking requirements to students.”
• Response: “Good morning, class! Today, we’re going to dive into the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debate. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to understand why this event was so crucial in shaping the nation. During the direct instruction, I need you to take notes. Pay close attention, as you will hand in your notes at the end of class for a completion grade. I’ll also be placing key points on the whiteboard that I expect to see in your notes.”

Create a Visual Aid: If you want to know what to put on the board, you can prompt:

• “Create for me a table that shows what I should put on the board during direct instruction.”
• Response:

Summarize Video Points: If you need help with summarizing after the video:

• “After the video, briefly summarize the main points, tying them back to the key points on the whiteboard.”
• Response: “After watching the video, remember that the Constitutional Convention aimed to address the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. This led to key debates over central government power and state rights, similar to what we’ve listed on the board. The compromises made during the Convention, such as the Great Compromise, were crucial in creating a balanced structure that we see in our government today.”

Create MCQs and SAQs: For assessment creation:

• “Create ten multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and three short-answer questions (SAQs) based on today’s lesson.”
• Response MCQs:

1. What was the main goal of the Constitutional Convention?
   a) To declare independence
   b) To strengthen the central government
   c) To abolish slavery
   d) To elect a new president
   (Correct Answer: b) To strengthen the central government)
2. Which group supported a strong central government?
   a) Anti-Federalists
   b) Federalists
   c) Patriots
   d) Loyalists
   (Correct Answer: b) Federalists)

• (and so on for the remaining 8 MCQs)
• Response SAQs:

1. Explain one key argument presented by the Anti-Federalists during the ratification debates.
2. How did the Great Compromise address the concerns of both large and small states?
3. Why was the debate over state versus federal power so significant during the Constitutional Convention?

By using these prompts, teachers can customize and refine the AI-generated lesson plan to suit their classroom needs, ensuring a smooth and effective learning experience.