Gamifying AI learning platforms?

 突然一個想法，現時很多的AI platform for teaching and learning 都有student portal, 供學生log in 後回應老師assign 的活動，和使用一些AI tool。但如果Student Portal 加入gamification 的元素，會否令小學和初中學生更主動用AI 學習？(現時主要靠老師用AI製作Learning apps時加入gamification。)

這也許是AI platform 的科技發展公司可以思考的。

From Gemini Gem to Poe to Canva AI to Mizou - Tools for creating Custom bots

 先前用Gemini Gem 製作Socratic/custom bot, 好處是立即可以得到share link 和其他人分享，用者甚至不用log in；但11月17日Gem 全面變為Skill 後，便不再提供share link。於是我回到Poe, 製作了一個roleplay bot後，取得share link 後開來試試，卻忘了Poe Socratic bot的用者也要計credits!

跟著找來Canva AI 試試，以前只用過Canva AI製作Interactive web widget, 今次一試之下，Canva AI 也可用來製作Socratic bot, 而output既有share link, 用者又不用log in。只是chat 的水平似乎不及Gem。

幸好還有Mizou, 這個AI app 專門製作教學的custom bot, 只要create Class, 便可以assign 已製作的custom bot, 而且free plan 已很慷慨。

下面的Mizou bot, 初中學生可以通過和bot談學校生活，練習何時用I will, 何時用I would。

https://mizou.com/preview-bot?ID=166299

Created a role playing bot using Canva AI: Conditional Sentences Tutor

 

先前用Gemini Gem 製作Socratic bot, 好處是立即可以得到share link 和其他人分享，用者甚至不用log in；但11月17日Gem 全面變為Skill 後，便主要用作自用，非分享。於是我回到Poe, 製造了一個roleplay bot後，取得share link 後開來試試，卻忘了Poe Socratic bot的用者也要計credits!

最後惟有Canva AI 試試，以前只用過Canva AI製作Interactive web widget, 今次一試之下，Canva AI 也可用來製作Socratic bot, 而output既有share link, 用者又不用log in。

下面的Socratic bot, 可幫助初中學生通過和bot 的對話，revisit or revise Type 1 and Type 2 conditional sentences。

https://emotion-adjectives-match.my.canva.site/conditional-sentences-tutor-bot

Gemini Skill 重新供應share link前， Canva AI 就是我的Workaround。

Created an interactive video-based learning unit on Schmidt's Noticing Hypothesis

 Thanks to Ha Sir's explainer video, I have created an interactive video learning unit for my PGDE students to learn about Schmidt's Noticing Hypothesis as it is explained by Professor Jack Richards.

https://richards-on-noticing-hypothesis.netlify.app/

Ha Sir's explainer video on how to use Gemini to turn a Youtube video into an interactive learning unit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOS8UMxg_Fo&t=435s

Tried the 'Create Interactive Slide' function in PPT Copilot

 The default 'Create Interactive Slide' skill within PPT Copilot is available only to Copilot Premium users. 

Anyhow, in the prompt box, I asked for 'Create Interactive Slide', and put down my request. 

It still worked. 

Also, it turns out that this 'create interactive slide' means 'interactive between slides'. For example, if I click on 'Route 1', it will take me to the Route 1 slide. After that, i have to go back to the routes overview, to click on 'Route 2', and so on.  There is a 'return to Scenario' button in bottom left corner, to take me back to the overview slide. 

OUTPUT: 

Interactive Slides function with PPT copilot.pptx

(The interactive function will only work in the Projection mode.)

Created a short video using Google Vids - for presenting/revising "I'll ....'

 現時已有不少用來generate video 的AI app, 但大部分頂多讓你試一次便收費，而且還計credits。 我惟有繼續用免費的Google Vids, 用於教學它的效果已不錯，而且完成後可立即上傳至YouTube, 不用先download。如果要edit, Google Vids 本身就是video editor。

以下19秒的video, 可用來在高小present 或revise "I'll...". 生成的video 兩個主角頗cute 呢！

https://youtu.be/OSoNR7ROWqw

Pedagogy First: From Jazz Chant to Hip Hop

 十天後會主持一個到校workshop, 和一個公開的talk, 內容都圍繞AI for English Language Teaching, 這兩天我在想有甚麼有趣的方式去conclude 兩個event, 同時又可表達Pedagogy永遠都比Technology 更重要的意念，於是我請Gemini 為我以上的意念寫一首8行的jazz chant。Gemini 不用五秒鐘便寫出下面的jazz chant。

AI is fast, AI is bright,

Helping us plan both day and night!

Prompts and tools can save us time,

Making our lessons fit and fine!

But look at the class and what do you see?

It isn’t about the technology!

Tools are cool, but teachers lead—

Pedagogy is what they need!

我得承認，如果我自己寫，不知要用多少時間，寫出來的jazz chant 好不好也是疑問。

所以間中AI 不懂扮懂，浪費了我的時間，但整體上，它是很有用的助手。

跟著我用SUNO, 把上面的jazz chant 生成一首Hip Hop，作為兩個event 的终結。

https://suno.com/s/DSL1pCpk67cGhBop

Created a lyric video using Mureka for practising 'I have .... but I have never ...'

 無意中發現Mureka 有新的(?)lyric video功能(Suno可能也有此功能。我請它就我的prompt生成8句歌詞，以供初中學生温習I have p.p. .... but I have never p.p. ...,句式之用。Mureka  生成歌詞之後，我看過沒有問題，請它生成一首歌。

跟著我到lyric video 功能，請Mureka 把那首歌轉換成lyric video (和music video效果不同)；以下就是生成的output, 旋律不錯，歌詞還有點人生哲理呢！(Downloaded from Mureka; then posted on Youtube). 

https://youtu.be/tBRQwQMoZGQ 

這lyric video 功能教英文會很有用，惟一是free plan 只能create 一首lyric video。

Below is the workflow,: 

https://workflowy.com/s/how-to-create-a-lyri/TTIuff0zV6V2RC7c

Created a Past Tense Catch game using Padlet Arcade

 Here's another one I've created for upper KS2-3 to practise recognising the correct past tense forms of some irregular verbs. A verb falls from the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen are 3 buckets showing 3 possible past tense forms. Before the verb lands on the ground, students have to .....Well, you know what I'm talking about. 

My prompt: 

"Build a falling object catch game for Upper Primary ESL students. Words drop from the top of the screen. Students must catch buckets containing base verbs (e.g., ‘run’, ‘eat’) using only the bucket that displays their correct past tense form (e.g., ‘ran’, ‘ate’). Avoid traps with incorrect spellings like ‘runned’.”

https://arcade.padlet.com/game/GpzNda70pv

Created a presentation deck for presenting Comparative Sentences (P4; Gemini; Adj of 1-2 syllables)

 STEPS: 

1. OUP READY 4A.  

I extracted the 4 example sentences from the Reading Passage. Then I produced the 4 sentences from the initial exercise on p. 27: 

2. I went to Gemini, and asked for a presentation slidedeck. 

My prompt: 

Create a presentation deck consisting of 8 slides. Each slide contains one of the 8 sentences below, and a cartoon picture that illustrates the sentence. The whole presentation deck is to be used with upper primary ESL students.

Bob is a month younger than me.

I get better grades at school now.

Her eyes are bigger than my eyes.

He was naughtier than me.

Bob is noisier than me.

Laura's hair is longer than Eva's.

Chris is braver than Bob.

Wally is dirtier than Andy. 

3. OUTPUT: 

https://share.gemini.google/xWfUMQQ2GCM6

===========

GEMINI is good at generating presentation slidedecks with illustrations. 

created a Padlet Arcade game for KS2 students to practise judging 'We should ...' sentences.

 Just created a Padlet Arcade game for KS2 students to practise judging 'We should ...' sentences. The focus is on the meaning of each 'should' sentence. On the journey, they will see 7 'We should ...' sentences, which appear one after the other. When they see a 'We should ...' sentence, they decide whether it's a right or wrong thing to do, and then steer the motorcycle towards either the 'YES' gate or the 'NO' gate. 

To create games (not just interactive tasks) in Padlet Arcade, choose the Wildcard function. For the time being, teachers can create as many games as they like, for free!

https://arcade.padlet.com/game/Gpqx7gB0jQ?link_shared=1

Gemini does a good job in creating slidedecks with illustrated slides!

Earlier on, I complained about some of the dedicated AI apps for generating slidedecks, as they will insert (a) additional, unwanted, slide content, and (b) images that are irrelevant to the content. 

Just now, I tried Gemini again, to create a slidedeck for presenting/revising comparative sentences. I pasted in the 4 example sentences copied from the textbook reading passage. I then asked Gemini for 4 similar sentences, using adjectives of 1 to 2 syllables.

At this point, I got 8 comparative sentences. I then asked Gemini to create a slidedeck containing the 8 sentences, one slide for each sentence. I specified that each sentence should be accompanied by a cartoon-like image that helps to show the meaning of the sentence. 

Below is the output, which can be shared via a link, or exported as a PPTX file or as Google slides. 

https://share.gemini.google/vHNH2RCNBJtQ 

Created an interactive blank-filling web app from an uploaded blankfilling passage (Nathan's blog; Comparative Adj)

 TOOL: Gemini Canvas

SOURCE: an image file which is a blank filling passage for practising comparative adjectives

WhatsApp Image 2026-10-09 at 14.12.18 (2).jpeg

PROMPT:  turn the uploaded worksheet into an interactive web app for a blank filling task

First output: the sentences that include blanks are presented as 8 separate sentences. 

REVISION: 

please revise by presenting all the sentences as one single paragraph, not separate sentences.

OUTPUT: 

https://share.gemini.google/NEf331cRcp8J

It's not whether AI can do it; it's whether we are imaginative enough

 以前向PGDE 學員講解如何liven up grammar practice時，其中一個會介绍的方法是Carolyn Graham 原創的Jazz Chants, 但雖然教師可以模仿Carolyn Graham就著要練習的grammar item自行創作一個jazz chant, 但頗不容易，於是大部分時間只能從Carolyn Graham 原創的44首jazz chant中選取；昨天靈機一觸，把Carolyn Graham 的例上傳給Gemini, 請它生成一個20行，用以練習Have you ever . ..和 I have never ... before的 Jazz chant, 結果Gemini 不負所妥。

限著我copy 了生成的jazz chant, 前往Suno, 請它把jazz chant 作為lyrics 去generate 一首歌，效果超好。

我覺得到今天問題已經不是AI 做不做到某項工作，而是我們自己夠不夠想像力，想到以前想不到的可能性，然然交予AI 執行。

Gemini 生成的jazz chant:

https://docs.google.com/.../1HDyVRhhVu9eg78I0WfA3.../edit...

Suno 為jazz chant生成的兩首歌。

https://suno.com/s/IcpxgCoCa82kaakn

https://suno.com/s/Mc7HMCzRtMjnS9k9

Created a Jazz chant for practising 'I've never .... before' based on Carolyn Graham's example

 Source: Carolyn Graham's 44 jazz chants collection: 

https://whij.weebly.com/uploads/8/9/6/2/8962213/graham_jazz_chants_reformatted.pdf

TOOL: Gemini

PROMPT: 

(Above link pasted in.)

https://whij.weebly.com/uploads/8/9/6/2/8962213/graham_jazz_chants_reformatted.pdf

Please follow the examples above, and create one jazz chant consisting of about 20 lines for junior ESL students to practise the sentence structure 'I've never + past participle ... before.' 

OUTPUT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HDyVRhhVu9eg78I0WfA3jvguPyFI4Ygan3JltO5h9TI/edit?usp=sharing

https://share.gemini.google/eCBEKpIHkbHz

Here is a custom 20-line Jazz Chant designed with a clear 4-beat rhythm (4 counts per line). The bold words mark the stressed beats where students should clap, snap, or tap to keep the rhythm.

Have You Ever?

(4/4 Beat: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4)

Have you ever flown a plane? No, never! No, never! I’ve never flown a plane before! No, never in my life!

Have you ever ridden a camel? No, never! No, never! I’ve never ridden a camel before! No, never in my life!

Have you ever eaten a snail? No, never! No, never! I’ve never eaten a snail before! Yuck! Never in my life!

Have you ever seen a ghost? No, never! No, never! I’ve never seen a ghost before! No, never in my life!

So many things I’ve never done! Maybe today is the day to start!

Teaching & Chanting Suggestions

1. Rhythm Setup: Have students establish a steady 4-beat rhythm first (e.g., clap-snap-clap-snap or stomp-clap-stomp-clap).

2. Call and Response: Divide the class into two groups:

   • Group A (Questioners): Chants the line starting with "Have you ever..."

   • Group B (Responders): Chants the three response lines ("No, never!..." / "I've never...").

3. Pronunciation Focus:

• Focus on contracting "I have" into /aɪv/ (I've).

• Ensure strong stress falls on the past participles (flown, ridden, eaten, seen, done) and the final word before before.

=========================

KEY TAKEAWAYS

AI is doing a good job in generating jazz chants. 

Created a microlearning unit on 'I have never ...' from a PDF file

 Tool: Gemini Canvas

Learning Point: Present Perfect: 'I have never + p.p. ... 

Uploaded file:

Ann and Betty Dialogue AWARENESS RAISIING.pdf

PROMPT: 

please create an interative, web-based, microlearning unit using the content of the uploaded file.

There should be 4 tabs:

OUTPUT: 

https://share.gemini.google/vxpyie8hdaUM 

SKILL vs GEM

 剛剛嘗試在Gemini 內create 一個Skill, 原來像create Gem那麼容易。但好處是在Gemini chatbox內 打 /, 先前建立的list of Skills 便立即pop up，click 要用的Skill 便立刻可以和它interact。

Custom Bots for Primary School students that require a one-word answer: Another example

 先前說過custom chatbot 很有用，但對不擅打字的小學生，如果conversation 太open-ended, 打字便成為一個障礙。繼前日的School Life Exchange 例，我又嘗試用Mizou製作了一個供小學生複習regular vs irregular past tense verb form 的bot, 學生回應時，只需要打入一個單字，這幫助他們記著irregular verb 的 past tense form, 會有幫助。

當然今天用AI create interactive quiz 已超容易(例如用Gemini Canvas 或Padlet Arcade), 但以custom bot 的形式出現，好處是有interaction 的feel, 不像獨自練習，而且學生會有更强的sense of progress。

https://mizou.com/preview-bot?ID=160816