AI Animal Instincts – A Wild Guide to ChatGPT Models Choosing the Right ChatGPT Model—By Instinct! 🐾 AI can be overwhelming, but what if picking the right ChatGPT model was as easy as looking at the animal kingdom? Each model has unique strengths, just like nature’s most specialized creatures. This guide breaks down ChatGPT models into animal profiles so you can instinctively choose the right AI for your needs. AI Animal Instincts – A Free Guide to ChatGPT Models Yes, please – I want this!We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.Built with Kit Understanding AI Reasoning vs. Chain-of-Thought Models AI models fall into two major categories: 🧠 Reasoning Models These models are built for speed, efficiency, and direct answers. Instead of breaking down their thought processes step by step, they deliver concise, to-the-point responses. Think of them like panthers—quick, agile, and laser-focused. They are best suited for tasks requiring fast turnarounds, such as answering FAQs, generating short-form content, summarizing information, and assisting in real-time customer service or workflow automation. While they excel in efficiency, they may struggle with deep problem-solving and multi-step logical reasoning. 🔍 Chain-of-Thought (CoT) Models These models are designed for complex, multi-step reasoning and breaking down intricate problems into structured steps. They function like dolphins, known for their intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. They are ideal for situations requiring deeper thought, such as long-form content creation, coding, research analysis, mathematical problem-solving, and decision-making where step-by-step logic is essential. Unlike reasoning models, CoT models can process layered, multi-variable tasks and provide thorough, context-aware responses that go beyond surface-level understanding. Now, let’s meet the AI animal kingdom! 🐆🐬🐘 GPT-3.5 (Free Plan) – The Hummingbird Fast and efficient, this model is perfect for casual chats and quick responses, much like the nimble hummingbird zipping through flowers. It’s lightweight and great for everyday AI interactions like answering emails, generating simple content, or brainstorming ideas on the fly. If you need an AI that can provide quick insights without heavy processing, GPT-3.5 is the way to go.  Reasoning Model   GPT-4.5 – The Panther 🐆 A reasoning model built for fast, sharp decision-making. The panther represents its efficiency, precision, and adaptability in fast-paced environments. If you need AI for market analysis, rapid content generation, or decision-making support, GPT-4.5 is the sleek and agile choice. – Reasoning Model GPT-4o – The Cheetah 🐆 This model is all about speed and agility. It’s your go-to for fast, innovative responses, just like the cheetah—quick, sleek, and always a step ahead. Use it when you need creative problem-solving, marketing copy, or brainstorming fresh ideas quickly. It’s faster and more dynamic than GPT-3.5, making it great for situations where speed and creativity matter. – Reasoning Model GPT-4o with Scheduled Tasks – The Honeybee 🐝 Structured and reliable, this AI model manages tasks efficiently, mirroring the organized nature of a honeybee. Need to schedule social media posts, manage content calendars, or structure your workload? This is your model. It’s ideal for anyone juggling multiple deadlines and seeking AI-powered task management and content structuring.– Reasoning Model  o1 – The Dolphin 🐬 Smart, social, and adaptable, the dolphin represents o1’s balance between creativity and dependability. It’s great for educational content, providing detailed explanations, and enhancing learning materials. If you’re an instructional designer, teacher, or course creator, this model can help develop lesson plans, quizzes, and structured learning experiences.– Chain-of-Thought Model o3 Mini – The Squirrel 🐿 Quick and resourceful, this model gathers and delivers ideas in rapid bursts, just like a squirrel hopping between branches. Best for generating ideas at high speed, drafting short-form content, or assisting with brainstorming sessions where rapid iteration is needed. Use it when you need fast, clear output for smaller tasks that require agility.– Reasoning Model o3 Mini-High – The Gazelle 🦌 A step up in performance, this AI is quick yet refined, mirroring the gazelle’s combination of speed and alertness. Perfect for situations requiring both efficiency and precision, like summarizing reports, analyzing data, or drafting technical documentation. It provides a mix of fast responses with higher accuracy compared to o3 Mini.– Reasoning Model  GPT-4o Mini – The Falcon 🦅 Swift and sharp, the peregrine falcon represents this model’s ability to deliver concise and precise insights in record time. Great for research-heavy tasks, quick decision-making, and fine-tuning content to be more polished and professional. If you need an AI that can process information quickly while keeping responses accurate, this is the right pick.– Reasoning Model GPT-4 (Legacy) – The Elephant 🐘 Wise and reliable, this model is a tried-and-true AI, much like the elephant’s enduring strength and intelligence. Perfect for deep research, academic writing, and long-form content that requires thoughtful structure. If you’re writing a whitepaper, thesis, or industry report, this model ensures comprehensive, well-structured insights.– Chain-of-Thought Model GPT-5 – The Owl 🦉Coming Soon! The first fully Chain-of-Thought model, GPT-5 mirrors the owl’s wisdom and problem-solving abilities, excelling at step-by-step reasoning and deep analysis. Perfect for tackling complex tasks like coding, advanced problem-solving, and logical breakdowns of intricate issues. If you need structured reasoning and thoughtful insights, GPT-5 is the model for you.– Chain-of-Thought Model Conclusion: Which AI Animal Is Right for You? Need quick answers? 🐦 GPT-3.5 (Hummingbird) Looking for fast and powerful AI? 🐆 GPT-4o (Cheetah) Require structured, reliable AI? 🐝 GPT-4o with Tasks (Honeybee) Want deep reasoning and problem-solving? 🦉 GPT-5 (Owl) With this guide, you’ll instinctively know which ChatGPT model fits your needs—just like nature intended! For Such a Time as This A Practical, Just-In-Time AI Literacy Course Learn how to become a founding member today!  Learn More Must Have Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you should you make a purchase using them. All recommendations are based on my personal experience. Please see our affiliate statement in our Privacy Policy. Table of Contents

Touch Base with Your Online Students Using Formative Assessment Touch Base with Your Online Students Using Formative Assessment In today’s fast-paced online learning environment, keeping track of your students’ academic progress and emotional well-being is more important than ever. Formative assessments are powerful tools that allow educators to regularly check in on students, gaining immediate insights to support both their academic performance and emotional health. By understanding how your students feel and learn, you can ensure they remain engaged and successful. Why Formative Assessment is Critical Today Formative assessment isn’t just about quizzes or academic performance. It’s also about staying closely connected with students, ensuring their emotional well-being, and adapting your instruction to their evolving needs. With the rise of online education, formative assessments provide vital touchpoints to maintain a supportive, responsive, and engaging learning atmosphere. Three Effective Ways to Use Formative Assessments for Holistic Student Support: 1. Quick Check-In Surveys Regularly sending quick surveys using platforms like Google Forms or Typeform can help you gauge students’ emotional states and academic understanding. Short, frequent surveys can reveal stressors or barriers your students face, allowing you to respond proactively and provide necessary support. Example: “How confident do you feel about this week’s topics?” “Are you encountering any challenges outside the classroom impacting your learning?” 2. Personalized Check-Ins Using AI Chatbots AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT-integrated assistants or platforms like Juji, can provide automated yet personalized check-ins. These chatbots engage students individually, collecting information on their academic progress and emotional health in a non-threatening, conversational manner. Example: AI-driven conversations prompting students to share how they’re coping with workload, motivation, or any areas of struggle. 3. Interactive Real-Time Polling Real-time tools like Poll Everywhere or Mentimeter allow instructors to instantly gauge student understanding and feelings during live sessions. Quick check-ins can help you identify students who need extra support or topics needing additional clarification. Example: During a live video lesson, instantly poll students about their comfort with new concepts, adapting explanations based on immediate responses. Leveraging AI to Enhance Formative Assessments Integrating AI into formative assessments elevates your teaching, enabling rapid, personalized feedback that supports both academic growth and emotional well-being. AI tools like ChatGPT, Gradescope, or adaptive learning platforms (e.g., Smart Sparrow) can quickly identify learning gaps and emotional distress signals, allowing you to intervene effectively and compassionately. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you should you make a purchase using them. All recommendations are based on my personal experience. Please see our affiliate statement in our Privacy Policy. Table of Contents Step Into AI—Right on Time, Right Where You Belong Learn More and Secure Your Spot as a Founding Member! Learn More AI Literacy Course

Enhancing Online Learning Using the Three Types of Interaction What Interaction Type is Missing in Your Online Course? Imagine an in-person classroom for just a second. What do you see?  You probably see three things; an instructor, students, and visible learning taking place. What makes this learning visible when learning is so often an internal concept?  INTERACTION! INTERACTION! Interaction is what is making this learning visible and, therefore, effective. In this productive classroom, there are three main components that are all working together; content or learning materials, an instructor, and students.  Each student is actively interacting or engaging in learning new information or a new skill. Often that information is presented in a variety of formats; videos, text, diagrams, maps, etc. Instructors use these learning materials along with his or her knowledge and insights to facilitate the students’ understanding of a concept. Then there are the students! When we think of a classroom, we think of not just one individual student but a group of students working and learning together. When all three of these interactions take place in a classroom, amazing learning can take place. This is no different when it comes to the online classroom! QUIZ: What Interaction Type is Missing From Your Online Course? For an online classroom, online course, or online training to be genuinely effective, three interaction types must be present: Learner to Content — Learner to Instructor — Learner to Learner So how does your online course measure up? Do you have all three interaction types in your course, or are you missing one? Take the quiz below to see what, if any, of the three online interaction types you might be missing in your online course. Three Types of Interaction in Online Courses Learner to Content The first interaction type is the interaction between the learner and the content or learning materials of a course. Learning materials are how knowledge is conveyed to your students. Moore (1989) states that content is a defining aspect of education.  Over the years, how learners interact with educational content has drastically transformed. From petroglyphs to scrolls to textbooks, and now every imaginable type of digital content one could ever dream of!  That being said, there are now more ways than ever for online students to interact with content. The beauty of online learning materials is that students can interact with the content how they want and however, they need to learn best. They can reread, revisit, rewind, speed up, pause, save for later, and of course, Google anything in a blink of an eye.  Adding variety to your online content can be one way to boost student interaction. Instead of only relying on a textbook to convey information on a subject, try pairing textbook reading with supplemental videos, relevant websites, diagrams, and online simulations or games.  Not all students learn best in the same way. Meaning some of your students may learn best by reading text about a subject, while others may be visual learners and learn best by watching a video on the subject. Adding a variety of learning materials to your course allows all types of learners to succeed. Another advantage of online content is its reach and accessibility to all! Online education is continuously expanding and becoming available to more and more learners. Not only is it reaching more learners geographically across the world, but it is also leveling the playing field for other diversities such as socioeconomic status, culture and race, and learning disabilities.  Here are a variety of examples of how you can enhance the learner interaction with your course’s content: Explore textbook publisher materials for supplemental learning materials. Incorporate relevant videos into lessons. Narrate materials such as lecture notes and PowerPoint slides. Instructor-made videos and lectures (both synchronously and asynchronously) Find or create simulations, scenarios, and case studies that allow students to connect better what they are learning to real-life situations.  Ensure your learning materials are accessible to all learners (captioned, proper headings, readability, etc.) Use self-checks or practice quizzes to help students check for learning throughout the content.   Check out these educational content sites for more resources: TED-Ed LinkedIn Learning Edhabit Kahn Academy Check your textbook publisher site for textbook-specific materials Don’t forget about your local and university libraries! Learner to Instructor Yes, a student can learn a new concept from a textbook, but they can learn even more from you! You, as the instructor, are a vital component of students’ success in online learning. When teaching online, don’t just think of yourself as the person who creates the content and assessments and enters students’ grades. Think of yourself as a facilitator of learning.  Facilitator: someone who helps to bring about an outcome (such as learning, productivity, or communication) by providing indirect or unobtrusive assistance, guidance, or supervision By being an active facilitator in your online course, not only are you providing guidance, but you are also setting an example to your students of the level of engagement you expect of them. Lead by example, and they will follow!  Additionally, if students know that you will be actively reading and possibly responding to posts in discussion board activities, they may be more motivated to participate at a higher level. This does not mean you have to comment on every single student post. But do make your comments and your engagement meaningful.  Get to know your students! When your students feel that you are invested in them and know them even in an online environment, they will also be motivated to be more engaged in your course. This will then result in more successful and productive learning.  Consider this real-life example for a moment; if you are active on social media, you notice who likes, comments, and engages with things that you post. Then, when you see those same people post their own content, are you not more likely to also like, comment, and engage with their content? It is human social behavior to want to engage and be connected to others.  The same is true for online learning. If you actively engage

Don’t Turn into a Bot Online Three Easy Strategies to Let Your Personality Shine in Your Online Course One of the perks of teaching online is that there are so many great tools that make facilitating an online course easier. For example, not having to manually grade and enter grades for online exams since most learning management systems can automatically evaluate student responses and submit scores to a gradebook without the instructor needing to do a thing.  With the ability to automate so much of an online course, along with the physical separation from your students, it can be challenging to find ways to let your personality, teaching style, and personal touches shine through in the online environment.  Here are three easy strategies that you can begin trying and implementing in your teaching today to bring a bit more of your personality to your online courses. Disclosure: This post was originally published on Faculty Focus, September 21, 2020, and written by Jessica Evans. See original post on Faculty Focus. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you should you make a purchase using them. All recommendations are based on my personal experience. Table of Contents You Don’t Have to be a Superstar to Make Great Videos You are an expert in your field, and you probably have years of experience and knowledge that make you an outstanding instructor. Do not deprive your online students the opportunity to learn from YOU!  I recently spoke with a group of instructors about their successes and struggles with having to make the abrupt transition online this past spring. One thing I heard from every instructor was the pleasant surprise of the effectiveness of instructor-created videos in their courses.  Two common themes came from this conversation about instructor-created videos. One was that instructors found it easy and time-saving to create just-the-right video for their students. For example, one instructor mentioned that he had been spending hours online looking for a video that conveyed the information his students needed with no luck. He then recorded his own video in a matter of 20 minutes and was able to provide his students with relevant and current information to help them achieve their learning activities and assessments.  The second comment theme revolved around the feedback students gave about these instructor-created videos. To the instructors’ surprise, they received positive feedback from students regarding the instructor-created video content. One instructor shared that after transitioning to fully-online, she had posted her lecture slide as a PowerPoint file for students to review, and her student engagement was depressingly low. She then created a video lecture on her lecture slides using a screen recording software that allowed her to narrate her slides while having a small video of herself in the corner. She reported that her student engagement almost instantly increased! Her students provided feedback saying they got the most from the online course when they could see and hear her lecturing on course materials. Tips if you don’t want to record yourself Get outside! Try recording a video while sitting in your backyard, or while you are out for your evening walk. Create and narrate an animated explainer video.  Record your screen while you lecture, and be sure to have a visual to lecture with so your students have something to focus on. Use an avatar or animated character instead of your face; some smartphones have this feature built-in!  Just try; it may not be as bad as you think it is!  Tips for making a good video Have clear sound/audio. Students need to be able to hear and understand you. The clearer the picture, the better. Keep it short and sweet. Keeping your videos under 10-minutes is a good rule of thumb to keep your students engaged. Caption your video for accessibility.  It is all in the angles! Be sure to put your best side forward by paying attention to your camera angle.  Tools to help you look like a superstar Check with your institution to see what tools and programs are available to you – use these first! Screencast-O-Matic (basic functions, easy to use) Camtasia (advanced functions, still easy to use but more options) Adobe Spark Memoji or other cell phone apps Students don’t care that your cat walked across your keyboard (they will probably chuckle). They don’t care that the UPS driver delivered your package and dinged the doorbell three times. It makes you human; it makes you interesting; it makes the information real. So start recording!  Increase Interest by Adding Humor Take a stroll down any social media feed right now and you are sure to find a funny meme, gif, or quote that stops and grabs your attention for a moment, and probably resonates with you in some capacity.  The same effect can happen for your students in your online course when you do something to grab their attention and make them laugh for a second, think about something from a different angle, or give them a quote that will be stuck in their head for the day.  Tips for adding interest and humor Memes and GIFs Funny personal story – record it! Memorable quote Catchy song or rhyme  Interesting video Tools to Keep You Laughing Snag it  (make your own memes) Canva (make your own memes) Think of the elements listed above as tools to aid you in creating memorable learning moments in your online course. That said, be sure not to go overboard! Adding interest and humor to your course is meant to boost engagement and learning—not distract from it. Touch Base Often With Your Students Remote learning and distance education are new buzz words in education at the moment. To any teacher or instructor, the thought of being separated from their students’ learning can be a very concerning thing. But, just because we are all socially distant at the moment does not mean you have to lose touch with your students. There are

REVIEW OF THE BEST ONLINE LEARNING WEBSITES IN 2020 Overview and Comparison of Six Digital Learning Programs for Kids Whether you are an elementary or middle school teacher or a parent, we have created a list of some of the best online learning websites for kids ages 2-13 in 2020. This will be an evolving resource review article! Please save, pin, and share this page so that you can come back to it often. We will be adding new resources, reviews, and sales/promotions so that you have the most current information on the best online learning resources for your young learners.  Digital Learning Academy has partnered with many of the online learning sites below in order to bring you special offers. Please use the links found in this review article to ensure you are getting the free trials and the best prices. Go straight to Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart!  Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you should you make a purchase using them. All recommendations are based on my personal experience. Table of Contents ABCmouse.com ABCmouse.com is one of the industry-leading online learning programs on the web in 2020. It offers a comprehensive online learning experience for learners of all levels across all academic subjects.  Additionally, ABCmouse.com has created two different learning experiences to better engage and grow learners by age. ABCmouse.com’s Early Learning Academy is designed for learners ages two to eight years old, and Adventure Academy has been crafted to engage learners eight to thirteen years old.  See how ABCmouse.com compares to other leading digital learning sites on our Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart! Early Learning Academy Ages: 2-8 years old Cost: $59.95/year FREE teacher’s account! Hundreds of engaging lessons across ten learning levels, with progress tracking Subjects: reading and language arts, math, science, social studies, and art Perks: customizable avatar, virtual reward system, interactive virtual field trips, easy navigational features, and a variety of engaging learning activities — students will never lose interest!  Cons: we haven’t found one yet, we’ll let you know if we do Accessible across all major devices Technical support available, live support chat feature Child Safe certified DLA’s Special Offer: 2 Months for $5 CLICK HERE! Adventure Academy Ages: 8-13 years old Cost: $59.99/year (~$5/month!) Subjects: language arts, math, science, and social studies Perks:  customizable avatar, multi-game player, aligned to CCS standards, fully immersive virtual learning world, amazing graphics, and virtual reward system — specially designed for pre-teen learners! Cons: multiplayer online game environment (learning might get lost in the game) Accessible across all major devices Technical support available, live support chat feature Kid Safe Certified DLA’s Special Offer: 2 Months for $5 CLICK HERE! Learn With Homer Ages: 2-8 years old Cost: $45/year Subjects: reading Perks: learning path is unique and personalized for each child’s interest and skill level. 1,000+ engaging learning activities based on adventurous play. Some lessons can be downloaded to be used while offline.  Cons: no tracking child’s progress in the program, no live technical support. Kid Safe Certified  DLA’s Special Offer: 30 Days Free! See how Learn with Homer compares to other leading digital learning sites on our Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart! Reading Eggs Ages: 2-13 Reading eggs junior- 2-4 Reading eggs – 3-7 Reading eggspress – 7-13 Cost: $59 / year (3 price options)  Free Teacher Trial Account  Subjects: Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary  Mathseeds program for ages 3-9 Perks: designed on research and literacy standards, easy navigation, individualized learning paths, short lessons with positive reinforcement to encourage motivation.  Cons: limited only to reading and math, no live technical support (only email or phone) Accessible across all major devices Kid Safe Certified  DLA’s Special Offer: 30 Day Free Trial CLICK HERE! See how Reading Eggs compares to other leading digital learning sites on our Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart! IXL Ages: PK-12th Grades Cost: $79-159 /year  Educator FREE trial  Subjects: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish Perks: aligned to Common Core standards, real-time diagnostic and analytic tools, personalized learning plans, award-winning learning experience.  Cons: cost is higher, the reward/points system has negative reviews Accessible across all major devices Extras! So many great extra learning resources for teachers, parents, and students. DLA’s Special Offer: 20% Discount on Monthly or Yearly Subscription See how IXL compares to other leading digital learning sites on our Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart! Hooked on Phonics Ages: 3-8 years old Cost: $12.99/month  Subjects: foundational reading skills Perks: aligned to common core standards for reading foundational skills (K-2), program recently updated to include engaging digital learning activities and hands-on practice packs, program based on research and proven effective. Cons: no educator portal, not completely online, limited to early or struggling readers.  Award-Winning learn to read program Accessible across all major devices Get your first month for $1  See how Hooked on Phonics compares to other leading digital learning sites on our Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart! Digital Learning Programs Comparison Chart Early Learning Academy Adventure Academy Learn With Homer Reading Eggs IXL Hooked on Phonics 2-8 years old 8-13 years old 2-8 years old 2-13 years old PK-12th grades 3-8 years old Reading, LA, Math, Science, SS, Art Reading, LA, Math, Science, SS Reading Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary, Math LA, Math, Science, SS, Spanish Foundational Reading 4.5 4.4 4.3 3.5 4.0 3.2 $59.95 /year $59.95 /year $45 /year $59 /year $79-159 /year $12.99 /month 2 Months $5 SALE! 2 Months $5 SALE! 30 Days Free! FREE TRIALCLICK HERE! 20% Off Subscription  First Month $1 *reviews are from appgroves.com        *Last updated: 9/7/2020 Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you should you make a purchase using them. All recommendations are based on my personal experience. Introduction to Online Teaching Masterclass Winter 2023 Cohort Early Registration We are opening registration early for the winter 2023 semester cohort! Save your seat now and don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain a better understanding of foundational online teaching