By Ms Bindu Keny for BISMumbai

On 17 August 2023, a few teachers of the Secondary section of Don Bosco High School (DBHS), Matunga, were expertly guided by consultants from the online teaching platform ‘Hackberry’ through the various components of app and website development, enabling them to create simple yet functional applications such as calculators and demo websites. On 19 August, Mr Dhruv Sangvi, Vice President of Hackberry, conducted an enlightening session on ChatGPT, an AI tool for educators. The session was tailored for pre-primary, primary, and secondary teachers. Its primary objective was to equip educators with the skills to effectively utilise ChatGPT.

The management of DBHS Matunga has taken a significant stride forward by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to their teachers of Grades 5 to 9. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, students in Grade 10 will receive a comprehensive orientation in the coding language 'Python'. 

To ensure that the students are adequately prepared for this innovative curriculum, the school has forged a partnership with Hackberry. Recently, enlightening sessions were conducted on app development for Grades 5 and 6 using the Thunkable App, and the Replit App for developing websites was introduced to Grades 7 and 8. Leveraging their cutting-edge learning management system, the aim is to equip the students with a substantial understanding of AI, empowering them to thrive in this ever-evolving world.

Mr Sangvi highlighted ChatGPT's uses: learning new languages, research summarization, content creation, organising tasks, coding, and website creation. Various prompting methods were explored during the sessions. Illustrative examples showcased ChatGPT's potential, simplifying tasks like hiring models and arranging photography sessions in minutes using AI. Job security concerns due to tech updates were acknowledged. Mr Sangvi stressed understanding the technology and its benefits. He discussed how to employ ChatGPT, emphasising the importance of the prompting formula. Safety measures and limitations were addressed, particularly concerning children.

The participants were thrilled about this new venture and expressed their firm belief that it will equip the students with invaluable skills for their future endeavours. By embracing AI at an early stage, the management ensures that the students are well-prepared to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age. With a strong emphasis on ethics and responsibility,  the students will not only excel in their academic pursuits but also become responsible digital citizens.