AI–Powered Solutions: Bridging Math Misconceptions with Scaffolded Questioning

Below is an example of a prompt and my leading ‘conversation’ with ChatGPT. The transcript of the chat is attached for those interested, but to summarize:

• I gave a prompt about a Grade 8 quadrilateral problem and asked me to target a misconception where students mistakenly identified the quadrilateral as a kite.
• ChatGPT provided questions to first target the misconception and then leading questions to help students find the correct answer.
• I then asked it to refine the questions to encourage deeper thinking, so ChatGPT adjusted the sequence to help students reason through the problem without giving away key steps.

Now, here is the detailed transcript of the chat. Do note how ChatGPT refines the leading questions. Initially, I was not fully satisfied with its first set of questions. After clarifying my expectations, ChatGPT quickly adjusted its response to better align with my needs, ultimately providing a strong sequence of questions.

User (me): Following is a question from Grade 8 Quadrilaterals. Several children wrote the answer as a kite. First target the misconception the children displayed that it is a kite and form a leading question to address that. Then, frame leading questions to help students arrive at the correct answer.

If the angles of a quadrilateral are in the ratio 1:2:2:1, then the quadrilateral is a

1. Rhombus
2. Parallelogram
3. Kite
4. Isosceles Trapezium

ChatGPT: The misconception that the students displayed here is assuming that a quadrilateral with angles in the ratio 1:2:2:1 can be a kite. However, a kite has one pair of opposite equal angles, and the other angles are typically unequal, not in a 1:2:2:1 ratio.

To address this, here are some leading questions:

Targeting the Misconception (Kite):

1. “What do we know about the angles of a kite? Do both pairs of opposite angles have a specific relationship?”
   Expected response: “A kite has one pair of equal opposite angles, but the other two angles are different.”
2. “Does the angle ratio 1:2:2:1 match the property of a kite’s angles?”
   Expected response: “No, a kite doesn’t have angles in that ratio.”

Leading Questions to Arrive at the Correct Answer:

1. “What is the sum of the interior angles of any quadrilateral?”
   Expected response: “360 degrees.”
2. “If the angles are in the ratio 1:2:2:1, how would you express the angles in terms of a common variable?”
   Expected response: “The angles can be written as x, 2x, 2x, x.”
3. “Can you write an equation for the sum of these angles?”
   Expected response: “x + 2x + 2x + x = 360.”
4. “What does x equal when you solve this equation?”
   Expected response: “x = 60 degrees.”
5. “What are the actual angles of the quadrilateral once you substitute the value of x?”
   Expected response: “The angles are 60°, 120°, 120°, and 60°.”

“Now, based on the properties of quadrilaterals, which type of quadrilateral has two pairs of equal angles and one pair of parallel sides?”
Expected response: “An isosceles trapezium.”

The rest of the questions were the same as above

This sequence ensures that students realize they need to find the actual angles from the ratio and why it’s relevant to solving the problem.

This exchange highlighted the importance of clear communication and the adaptability of AI in enhancing our teaching practices.

AI is transforming the way educators approach teaching, offering personalized learning paths and effective tools to address student misconceptions. How is AI being used to enhance learning in your classroom?

#AIinEducation #MathEducation #EdTech #ScaffoldedLearning #StudentEngagement