• Learning Objectives:

  • Explore AI Fundamentals: Understand the basics of AI and its practical uses in school counseling.

  • Practice AI Prompt Writing: Learn techniques for writing effective AI prompts to generate counseling resources.

  • Leverage AI for Effectiveness: Discover how AI can assist with creating ASCA-aligned lesson plans, designing school-wide initiatives, and drafting communications.

  • Enhance Efficiency: Explore how AI tools can help with scheduling, organizing resources, and differentiating lessons to save time.

  • Innovate with AI: Learn to use AI creatively to make counseling more engaging and enjoyable for both counselors and students.

"Think about a task in your role as a school counselor or psych that feels repetitive, time-consuming, or overwhelming. Describe this challenge in detail."

You may choose to give a short description of your task in the comments below.

"I Love My Life When..."

• Instructions:

  • Reset from focusing on challenges.

  • Pair up with someone across the room.

  • Take turns completing the sentence "I love my life when..." at least 10 times each, alternating back and forth.

AI refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that require human intelligence.

• AI you’re already using

  • Voice Assistants, facial recognition, predictive text

  • Smart home devices

  • Streaming services

  • Securely Alerts 

• Real-World Applications in School Counseling:

• Key Benefits:

  • Effectiveness: AI helps manage large caseloads and tailor student support.

  • Efficiency: Saves time by automating routine tasks.

• Ethical Considerations:

  • Privacy and bias concerns.

  • AI is a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace counselors.

• District Policy

• Tools to choose from

  • ChatGPT (or any of the other GPTs for image generation, etc.)

  • Perplexity

  • Claude.ai

  • Khanmigo

  • MagicSchool

    • Lots of school-specific tools (Social stories, lesson plans, BIP generation, quizzes, ALP goal writing, intervention planning)

    • Requires upgrade to access better functionality

  • SchoolAI (Create chatbots)

  • Suno.ai (Creates songs)

  • Craiyon.ai

  • Add any tools you like in a comment below!

• AI is like ice cream

• Key Techniques:

  • Be specific and clear: Avoid ambiguity and use precise language.

  • Provide context: Explain the topic and intended audience.

  • Use open-ended questions: Encourage detailed responses (e.g., "how" and "why" questions).

  • Break complex tasks into steps: Use numbered lists for clarity.

  • Include examples: Offer samples to guide the AI.

  • Specify the format: Indicate preferred structure (e.g., bullet points, paragraphs, tables).

  • Iterate and refine: Follow up with "Expand on..." or "Provide more detail about...".

  • Set parameters: Define word count, focus area, etc.

  • Check for bias and accuracy: Ask AI to cite sources when appropriate. Perplexity will also recommend other resources like videos and articles!

• Practical Applications:

  • Refer back to your original reflection and use that to guide your prompt.

  • Resources I've created with AI:

    • Create content for a brochure

    • Take a blog post and turn it into a chart or resource for teachers

    • Creating ASCA-Aligned Lesson Plans: AI can help align lessons with counseling standards.

    • Planning Whole-School Initiatives

  • Crafting Communications: Draft emails, newsletters, or parent updates.

• Work Time (15 minutes):

  • Use your reflection to guide the prompt you write.

  • Write a prompt that could automate or assist with one of these time-consuming tasks.

• Discussion: "What email do you send most often?"

• Practical Tips:

  • Gmail Templates: Learn how to enable and use templates to speed up repetitive emails.

  • Scheduling and Organization

  • Lesson Differentiation: AI can help modify lessons for different student needs, making individualization easier.

• Work Time (5 Minute): Practice creating a template or scheduling task using AI.

• Completing non-preferred tasks with AI frees up time to do preferred activities

• Creative Lesson Ideas : Brainstorm AI-assisted lesson ideas, such as incorporating storytelling, music, or creative writing into counseling.

• Writing songs

• Generate Images

• Social Media Posts

• Work Time (10 minutes): Brainstorm something creative that would engage the kids for an upcoming event.

• Data-Driven Decisions: AI empowers counselors to make more informed decisions by analyzing large volumes of student data (academic, behavioral, social-emotional) quickly and accurately. This leads to earlier identification of at-risk students and more targeted interventions.

  • Reminder: Don't input any identifiable student information, per District policy!

• Personalization of Resources: AI can customize resources to each student's unique needs, whether it’s recommending coping strategies for a stressed-out student or suggesting specific college and career options for a high school senior.

• Better Engagement: AI-generated materials can provide creative lesson ideas, interactive activities, and digital tools that make counseling sessions more engaging for students of all ages.