West Utica Elementary students begin using AI in theater

By: Kara Szymanski | C&G Newspapers | Published December 10, 2024

 A play that students created using artificial intelligence involved robots attacking a city.

A play that students created using artificial intelligence involved robots attacking a city.

Photo provided by Tim McAvoy

 West Utica Elementary School students used artificial  intelligence to write a play for them to perform.

West Utica Elementary School students used artificial intelligence to write a play for them to perform.

Photo provided by Tim McAvoy

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SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — West Utica Elementary School students have begun to use artificial intelligence in their theater classes, and they seem to be really enjoying it.

Previously, students performed scripted plays that were given to them. They began feeling that the scripts were getting outdated or losing relevance, so they were looking for an innovative alternative.

Using the tool SchoolAI that Chris Brown, West Utica Media Center teacher, customized for them, they answered a series of questions about the elements of their play.

Brown said that the fourth grade teachers were looking for scripts that the kids could perform.

“The students needed to be comfortable with getting up and talking in front of the class. The teachers had mentioned that the scripts that they had were older and outdated. I thought there must something out there that would help the students to write the script. It is not a requirement for them to write the script; it is a requirement to get out there and perform it,” he said.

He said SchoolAI allows teachers to customize their tools.

“I can go into SchoolAI and create what they call my own space. It allows me to say, ‘I have fourth graders who are creating readers’ scripts. Ask the students to provide their story elements — such as plot, characters and setting.’ As they give their story elements, it will begin to draft them a script,” he said.

He said it allows him full oversight of their work to make sure they are on task with appropriate content.

“This project involved all four fourth grade classrooms. Every student individually did this work, and then they met with their group to decide which skit that (they) want to perform. That way every student can be creative and use the tool,” he said.

He said there are a lot of tools out there, but SchoolAI is impressive when it comes to creating custom work and giving teachers full oversight.

With the addition of props, students have a fully formed play tailor made to perform in front of their classmates.

One of the students, Lucas Khammo, created a scenario in which robots battle a city for control.

“I want it to be interesting. Something that someone can’t imagine that is very creative. We ended up with a city being attacked by robots,” he said.

He said he really liked this project.

“I feel it is amazing; it’s better than fun. It’s really creative,” he said.

For many students, the assignment was their first exposure to using an AI tool and something that will only grow in use over the course of their lives. Fourth grade teacher Becky Jonkman said the students are excited to present the finished product.

“Our genre for our reading series is drama. We normally use a drama that is part of the reading series, but we thought it would be fun to create their own drama, and so with Mr. Brown’s help, and the AI tool he found, the kids were able to create their own script. They identified the premise of the play, and it created a script for them. They were able to get together with their classmates, where they chose their skit. It is a fun experience for them because it is personalized,” she said.

She said the students love it.

“Some are nervous to perform. They are excited to make the props, especially. It is more of a fun experience for them because it is more personalized as opposed to just finding a skit,” she said.

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