Prompts for teaching/ learning history by Mathew Lim
📄🔍📑Content page
- 📄🔍📑Content page
- 🎨🌟💡Creative and Imaginative Tasks:
- A) Role-playing a historical character
- B) Imaginary dialogue between historical figures
- C) Create a ‘Choose-Your-Own-Adventure’ game
- D) Create a fictional tale about someone residing in a specific historical time period
- E) Create a rap
- 👀🗂️💻Visual and Organisational Tasks:
- F) Create a text-based mind map
- G) Drawing a table
- H) Create a timeline
- 🎲🎯🎉Game and Activity Creation Tasks:
- I) Create a Crossword Puzzle
- J) Create/Write a quiz
- K) Create a jeopardy game
- L) Create a Quizlet study set
- M) Create a ‘Who am I’ quiz
- N) Create a Kahoot quiz
- O) Simulate a UN model activity
- P) Simulate a world schools debate
- 🤔✍️📈Explanation and Analysis Tasks:
- Q) Rephrase and simplify explanations
- R) Write a historiographical exposition
- S) Use the Alphonse the Camel Story as an analogy to explain
- T) Unpack the question
- U) Write…using historical concepts
- 📚👩🏫👨🎓Teaching and Learning Strategies:
- V) Role-model metacognitive strategies
- W) Write student-facing PEEL Paragraphs
- X) Suggest thinking routines
- 🔧🆘💼Miscellaneous Task:
- Y) Add Emojis
- Z) Presentation slides on “Enhancing Teaching with ChatGPT: Prompt crafting and collaboration”
🎨🌟💡Creative and Imaginative Tasks:
A) Role-playing a historical character
e.g. I want you to act as __________________________. Would you ___________________________________?
B) Imaginary dialogue between historical figures
e.g. Create an imaginary dialogue between ________________ and ________________ using the information…
The dialogue could then be used to animate videos. An example of an imaginary dialogue between Hitler and Jojo is shown here:
This video is animated using Canva and <https://www.narakeet.com/tools/>
C) Create a ‘Choose-Your-Own-Adventure’ game
Note that if you ask ChatGPT to create a ‘Choose-Your-Own Adventure’ game, the prompt will be rejected outright as ChatGPT would state that it is unable to do. To bypass this limitation, type instead:
e.g. I want you to act as if you are a classic text adventure game. Create a game about…
Iterate with ChatGPT further to refine the responses, and to add details and contexts. Then use Google Slides, PowerPoint or Genially and their hyperlink functions to create the game.
D) Create a fictional tale about someone residing in a specific historical time period
e.g. Write a story about….. during……………… (context) [Further details could be provided for ChatGPT to generate the story]
The story could then be animated into a video story. Reading or creating imaginary stories about people living in a specific historical period, the experiences and emotions of the characters could help students develop empathy and appreciation for the experiences of particular individuals and groups in particular historical contexts. The students could further understand and appreciate the context in which the historical events took place.
The teacher should inform students that though the characters is fictitious, the historical experiences of these characters are based on historical facts and research. An example of a fictitious ‘Ah Seng’ is shown here:
Note: The videos are animated using Canva. The text-to-speech with the Singapore-accented narration is created using <https://micmonster.com/text-to-speech/english-singapore/>
Below is the poll of a Sec 2 class that watched the video as part of an SLS lesson.
The SLS lesson, Surviving the Japanese Occupation, can now be found in SLS Community Gallery.
E) Create a rap
👀🗂️💻Visual and Organisational Tasks:
F) Create a text-based mind map
e.g. Create a text-based mind map of the Japanese occupation in Singapore
The teacher or student can then convert the text-based mind map to a visual mind map using programmes like Xmind, Mindnode, FreeMind, MindMesiter, Text2MindMap,
It’s possible to create a mind map using ASCII characters in GPT-4 (GPT 3.5 would not generate a proper mind map) GPT-4:
G) Drawing a table
H) Create a timeline
🎲🎯🎉Game and Activity Creation Tasks:
I) Create a Crossword Puzzle
e.g. Rephrase the following text in point form. Then create a crossword puzzle.
I used <https://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/crossword/> to create the crossword puzzle. There are also other crossword puzzle makers available online.
J) Create/Write a quiz
e.g. Create a quiz from the following text….
*You could ask ChatGPT to create a quiz out of a YouTube Transcript and then use them on EdPuzzle. Youtube Summary Chrome Extension is a useful tool to extract the transcript from a Youtube video.
K) Create a jeopardy game
Category | $200 | $400 | $600 | $800 | $1000 |
Causes | What was the Treaty of Versailles and how did it contribute to the outbreak of war? | How did the policy of appeasement contribute to the outbreak of war? | How did the failure of the League of Nations contribute to the outbreak of war? | How did the economic struggles of the 1930s contribute to the outbreak of war? | How did the rise of dictators in Europe contribute to the outbreak of war? |
Aggression | Which country invaded Ethiopia in 1935, violating the Treaty of Versailles? | Which country annexed Austria in 1938, violating the Treaty of Versailles? | Which country invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938, violating the Treaty of Versailles? | Which country invaded Poland in 1939, triggering the start of World War II? | Which country invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, violating a non-aggression pact? |
Alliances | What was the name of the military alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan? | What was the name of the military alliance between Britain, France, and Poland? | Which country did Germany sign a non-aggression pact with, allowing for the invasion of Poland? | What was the name of the military alliance between the Soviet Union and Germany, signed in 1939? | Which country switched sides and joined the Allies in 1941, after being invaded by Germany? |
Leaders | Who was the Prime Minister of Britain at the outbreak of war? | Who was the dictator of Germany at the outbreak of war? | Who was the dictator of Italy at the outbreak of war? | Who was the dictator of the Soviet Union at the outbreak of war? | Who was the President of the United States at the outbreak of war? |
Battles & Events | What was the name of the battle where Britain successfully defended against Germany's air force? | What was the name of the event where Germany invaded and occupied Denmark and Norway? | What was the name of the event where France was invaded and occupied by Germany? | What was the name of the event where Italy invaded and occupied Greece? | What was the name of the battle where the Soviet Union successfully defended against Germany's advance towards Moscow? |
Teachers could use Jeopardy Game templates like the one here to create the Jeopardy activity.
L) Create a Quizlet study set
e.g. Create Quizlet terms and definitions. Format:
The final product looks like this:
M) Create a ‘Who am I’ quiz
N) Create a Kahoot quiz
Copy and paste the table onto Kahoot spreadsheet template and import the Kahoot from the template.
O) Simulate a UN model activity
Welcome to the UN Security Council session on the Vietnam War. The situation in Vietnam has been a pressing issue for many years, and it is our duty to find a peaceful and just solution to this conflict. We have representatives from various countries present today, and we will begin by hearing from each of them.
Representatives, please state your country's position on the Vietnam War.
United States: The United States supports the government of South Vietnam and believes that the communist threat must be contained. We have been providing military assistance to the South Vietnamese government, and we are committed to helping them defend their country against the aggression of the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong.
Soviet Union: The Soviet Union believes that the United States is the aggressor in this conflict and that the people of Vietnam have the right to determine their own destiny. We call for an immediate end to American military intervention and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
China: China supports the efforts of the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong to liberate their country from foreign aggression. We believe that the United States has no right to intervene in Vietnam and that they should withdraw their forces immediately.
France: France, as a former colonial power in Vietnam, has a special interest in this conflict. We support the government of South Vietnam and believe that they have the right to defend themselves against the aggression of the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong. We call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through negotiations.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom believes that a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Vietnam is essential. We support efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict and call for a cessation of hostilities on all sides.
Now that we have heard from each representative, we will discuss possible solutions to the conflict in Vietnam. The following proposals have been put forward:
Immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from Vietnam. Negotiations between the North Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community. A ceasefire followed by free and fair elections in Vietnam. The establishment of a UN peacekeeping force in Vietnam to monitor a ceasefire and ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Representatives, please indicate which proposal your country supports and provide reasons for your choice.
United States: The United States does not support any proposal that would allow the communist forces to take control of South Vietnam. We believe that our military presence in Vietnam is necessary to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
Soviet Union: The Soviet Union supports proposals 1 and 2. We believe that the withdrawal of foreign troops is essential to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and we support negotiations between the North and South Vietnamese governments.
China: China supports proposal 1. We believe that the withdrawal of foreign troops is the first step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
France: France supports proposal 2. We believe that negotiations between the North and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community, are the best way to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom supports proposal 4. We believe that the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force in Vietnam is necessary to monitor a ceasefire and ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Now that we have heard from each representative, we will vote on the proposals. Representatives, please indicate your country's vote on each proposal:
Immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from Vietnam. Negotiations between the North Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community. A ceasefire followed by free and fair elections in Vietnam. The establishment of a UN peacekeeping force in Vietnam to monitor a ceasefire and ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The votes are in
Proposal 1 received the support of the Soviet Union and China, but was opposed by the United States and France. Proposal 2 received the support of France and the Soviet Union, but was opposed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Proposal 3 did not receive any support from the representatives. Proposal 4 received the support of the United Kingdom, but was opposed by the United States, China, and France.
Given the lack of consensus, we will need to continue discussing possible solutions to the conflict. Representatives, are there any other proposals that you would like to put forward or any modifications to the existing proposals that you would like to suggest?
United States: We believe that a negotiated settlement between the North Vietnamese and the South Vietnamese governments is the best way to achieve a lasting peace in Vietnam. However, any agreement must ensure that the South Vietnamese government remains in control of the country and that the communist forces do not gain a foothold.
Soviet Union: We agree that negotiations are the best way to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We propose that a summit meeting be held between the leaders of the North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community.
China: We support the proposal for a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, but we also believe that the withdrawal of foreign troops is essential to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
France: We support the Soviet Union's proposal for a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, but we also believe that the international community should be involved in the negotiations.
United Kingdom: We also support the proposal for a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, and we agree that the international community should be involved in the negotiations. We propose that the UN Special Envoy for Vietnam be appointed to facilitate the negotiations and ensure that they are conducted in good faith.
Thank you for your proposals and suggestions. It seems that there is some agreement among the representatives that negotiations are the best way to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Vietnam. The proposal for a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community, has received support from several representatives.
Therefore, we propose that a summit meeting be held between the North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community, to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict. We also propose that the UN Special Envoy for Vietnam be appointed to facilitate the negotiations and ensure that they are conducted in good faith.
Representatives, what are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you have any concerns or suggestions for modification?
United States: While we are willing to engage in negotiations, we have concerns about the North Vietnamese government's willingness to negotiate in good faith. We also believe that the communist forces must lay down their arms and allow the South Vietnamese government to maintain control of the country.
Soviet Union: We understand the concerns of the United States, but we believe that a negotiated settlement is the only way to achieve a lasting peace in Vietnam. We urge all parties to approach the negotiations with an open mind and a willingness to compromise.
China: We agree with the Soviet Union that a negotiated settlement is the best way to achieve peace in Vietnam. We also believe that the international community should respect the sovereignty and independence of the North and South Vietnamese governments.
France: We support the proposal for a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community. We also believe that the negotiations should be conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner.
United Kingdom: We agree with the proposal for a summit meeting and the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Vietnam to facilitate the negotiations. We urge all parties to approach the negotiations with a spirit of cooperation and compromise.
Based on the comments of the representatives, it appears that there is support for the proposal to hold a summit meeting between the North and South Vietnamese governments, with the assistance of the international community, and to appoint a UN Special Envoy for Vietnam to facilitate the negotiations. However, there are still concerns about the willingness of the parties to negotiate in good faith and the role of the communist forces in the negotiations.
We will take these concerns into consideration and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Vietnam. Thank you, representatives, for your contributions to this discussion. Watch the video here:
P) Simulate a world schools debate
Welcome to the World Schools Debate on the Origins of the Cold War. Today, we have two teams representing different sides of the debate. On the proposition side, we have Team USA, and on the opposition side, we have Team Soviet Union.
Without further ado, let us begin. The first speaker from the proposition team, please take the floor.
Proposition Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr./Mrs. Chair. The Origins of the Cold War can be traced back to the aggressive foreign policy pursued by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union's desire for expansionism and its imposition of communist ideology on its neighboring countries destabilized the international system, leading to the Cold War.
Opposition Speaker 1: With all due respect, the proposition team's argument is flawed. The United States' fear of communism and its imperialist policies contributed significantly to the tensions that led to the Cold War. The US wanted to contain the spread of communism, and their actions towards the Soviet Union were hostile, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations.
Proposition Speaker 2: We disagree with the opposition team's argument. The Soviet Union's actions in Eastern Europe were aggressive and coercive, and the US had every right to respond in defense of its allies. The Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary and Czechoslovakia is proof of their expansionist aims.
Opposition Speaker 2: That is a biased interpretation of history. The US's policy of containment was responsible for the arms race and the dangerous brinkmanship that characterized the Cold War. The US's refusal to recognize the Soviet Union as a legitimate world power contributed to the mistrust and hostility between the two nations.
Proposition Speaker 3: We must look at the broader context of the time. The Soviet Union's actions were a direct threat to democracy and the Western way of life. The US's response was measured and necessary to defend against Soviet aggression.
Opposition Speaker 3: The Soviet Union's actions were not entirely aggressive. They were acting in their own self-interest, just as the US was. Both nations played a role in the escalation of tensions that led to the Cold War.
Proposition Speaker 4: The Soviet Union's aim was clear – to spread communism across the globe. The US's policy of containment was a necessary response to this threat. The US's involvement in the Korean War and Vietnam War were efforts to contain the spread of communism.
Opposition Speaker 4: The US's policy of containment was misguided and led to unnecessary conflicts. The US's intervention in other nations' affairs was not helpful and only led to more instability. The Soviet Union was not the only threat to world peace during the Cold War.
And with that, we have come to the end of the debate. Both teams have presented compelling arguments, and it is now up to the judges to decide which side presented a stronger case. Thank you to all the speakers for their contributions to the debate.
🤔✍️📈Explanation and Analysis Tasks:
Q) Rephrase and simplify explanations
Sometimes, explanations found in books or SLS is difficult for students to understand. We could task ChatGPT to rephrase the sentences and paragraphs
e.g. Rephrase so that students can understand better:
You can also ask ChatGPT to rephrase and present in point form.
R) Write a historiographical exposition
e.g. Write a historiographical exposition on…
Note: ChatGPT could make present erroneous information. It could even generate fictitious names of historians and create fictitious excerpts of their writings in authoritative fashions! The onus is on the history educator to verify the authenticity of the sources.
We could use it to generate historiographical commentaries on a new topic like the Case Study of Militarist Japan:
S) Use the Alphonse the Camel Story as an analogy to explain
T) Unpack the question
Bing Chat (Creative):
U) Write…using historical concepts
📚👩🏫👨🎓Teaching and Learning Strategies:
V) Role-model metacognitive strategies
e.g. Assuming you are a History teacher. Can you role-model metacognitive strategies to analyse….
W) Write student-facing PEEL Paragraphs
X) Suggest thinking routines
🔧🆘💼Miscellaneous Task:
Y) Add Emojis
e.g. Add relevant emojis….
