Co-designing Large Language Model Tools for Project-Based Learning with K12 Educators

TL;DR

This paper explores how large language models can assist K-12 teachers in implementing project-based learning by co-designing tools that automate routine tasks and support personalized education, addressing practical challenges.

Contribution

It presents a co-design process with teachers to develop LLM-based tools tailored for PBL, including design guidelines for future deployment.

Findings

Teachers see potential in LLMs for automating tasks and personalizing learning.

Teachers emphasize supporting their professional growth without replacement.

Identified challenges include ethical concerns and resource constraints.

Abstract

The emergence of generative AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), has opened the door for student-centered and active learning methods like project-based learning (PBL). However, PBL poses practical implementation challenges for educators around project design and management, assessment, and balancing student guidance with student autonomy. The following research documents a co-design process with interdisciplinary K-12 teachers to explore and address the current PBL challenges they face. Through teacher-driven interviews, collaborative workshops, and iterative design of wireframes, we gathered evidence for ways LLMs can support teachers in implementing high-quality PBL pedagogy by automating routine tasks and enhancing personalized learning. Teachers in the study advocated for supporting their professional growth and augmenting their current roles without replacing them. They also identified affordances and challenges around classroom integration, including resource requirements and constraints, ethical concerns, and potential immediate and long-term impacts. Drawing on these, we propose design guidelines for future deployment of LLM tools in PBL.