What are the new AI Conversation activities and how do I use them?

The SmartClass AI Conversation activities leverage three types of interactive activity options, 1 per chapter of the SmartClass Let's Talk English curricula, levels A1 - B2.

SmartClass is excited to incorporate AI Conversation activities into the English curricula. These activities have been created with a focus on level-appropriate conversation expectations that match what students have learned throughout each chapter. They are currently only available in the SmartClass web version and are set to automatic redo, for the time being. 

The activities are autograded and are based on the following criteria:

1. Answering all questions

2. Staying on topic

3. Using complete sentences

4. Using appropriate grammar and vocabulary

Teachers are not able to create these activites on their own but do have the option to include additional instructions and edit the format of the activity. Three options for the AI activities are Text, Text & Speech, and Speech.

With a Text activity, students are asked to read the conversation with the AI and are expectedt to type their response. 

A Text & Speech activity requires students to listen to the AI portion of the conversation, while allowing them to read along, and respond verbally. Students click "Start Recording" to record their responses and their answers will be written out. 

With Speech activities, students do not have the option to read the AI portin of the conversation until after they have responded, upping the expecation to comprehend the conversation purely by listening and speaking. 

For teachers who are not new to the SmartClass curricula, these activities can be added to your classes through filtering, which you can read more about in this knowledge base article. AI Converation activities will be added to the German and Spanish curricula by the end of the year.