As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly accessible in education, K–12 classrooms are starting to tap into their potential to foster deeper learning, creativity, and engagement. This session highlights one particularly versatile tool, AI chatbots, and their ability to not only answer questions but also simulate conversations, guide exploration, and personalize student support.
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to design simple, curriculum-aligned AI chatbots using free or low-cost tools such as ChatGPT, Dialogflow, and Poe. We will examine use cases across grade levels and subjects, including tutoring-style bots for math practice, historical character simulations, social and emotional learning support bots, and interactive reading assistants. Attendees will be guided through the process of planning chatbot goals, crafting effective prompts, training the AI with example language, and testing it for classroom application.
Beyond the technical setup, we will discuss pedagogical best practices for using AI chatbots in meaningful and ethical ways. This includes age-appropriate usage, safeguarding student privacy, and encouraging critical thinking about AI-generated information. Participants will leave with practical templates and example bots that can be tailored for their own classrooms, along with a guide to involve students in basic chatbot creation.
Whether you're new to AI or looking to enhance your skills, this session provides both inspiration and structure to help you integrate conversational AI into your teaching.