ALEX Learning Activity

  

Let's Build a Chatbot

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

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  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Ginger Boyd
System:Geneva County
School:Samson Middle School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2739
Title:
Let's Build a Chatbot
Digital Tool/Resource:
Appy Pie Chatbot
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

In this learning activity, students will review how chatbots work to increase efficiency through automation. Students will build their own chatbot that can converse with users. Finally, students will test their chatbots for efficiency.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 6
7) Describe how automation works to increase efficiency.

Example: Compare the amount of time/work to hand wash a car vs. using an automated car wash.

Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students will:
  • explain how an automated activity or system increases productivity.
Teacher Vocabulary:
  • automation
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • how automation works to increase efficiency.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • describe how automation increases efficiency.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • automation works to increase efficiency.
Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to describe how automation works to increase efficiency by building and testing a chatbot.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

Before beginning this learning activity, the teacher may choose to review chatbots. Chatbots are good for a number of purposes including customer care, inquiry, lead generation, appointment booking, database management, and more. The teacher may show a video on chatbots for review:

 

What are Chatbots?

 

5 Chatbot Benefits You Can't Afford to Ignore

 

Steps:

  1. The teacher will explain that in today's activity students will build their own chatbot that simulates human conversation through text using the Appy Pie Chatbot Builder. 

  2. The teacher should explain before students start making a chatbot that students must first set goals for their chatbot. Pass out the Chatbot Design worksheet. Students will use this worksheet to create a name for their bot, decide on their chatbot type, and draft sample conversations for their bot. (This will need to be done because Appy Pie is a rule-based chatbot.) Rule-based chatbots are used to communicate with users according to a strict algorithm. The solutions for problems are preset. Rule-based chatbots take user queries and based on keywords, redirect the users to help articles, landing pages, or live assistants.

  3. Pass out internet-connected devices and directions for using the Appy Pie website. 

  4. After students have finished building their chatbot, it is time to test it.

  5. Pass out the Testing With Users worksheet and have students find student “testers” (partners) to test their chatbot. Testers should start a conversation with the chatbot and share their thoughts out loud so their student partner may take notes on the worksheet.

  6. Changes to chatbots may be implemented based on feedback from “testers." 
Assessment Strategies:

Teachers may use the Chatbot Design Rubric to assess student work. 
Advanced Preparation:

  • The teacher will need to watch the videos prior to showing them in the classroom to make sure they will not be blocked by school security.

  • Teachers will need to make copies of the Chatbot Design worksheets (one for each pair of students).

  • Teachers will need to make copies of the Testing With Users worksheets (one for each pair of students).

  • Teachers will need to make copies of the Chatbot Design Rubric (one for each pair of students). 

  • Internet-connected devices should be provided (one for each pair of students).
Variation Tips (optional):

This activity can be completed individually, with partners, or in small groups. 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
This learning activity should be used together with the following learning activities:
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: artificial intelligence, automation, chatbots