Using AI to Study
- Brian McCarthy
- Sep 4
- 8 min read
I began this morning with an idea to use the transcript of my video as a study tool. I've included my prompt and asked ChatGPT to summarize the transcript and create quizzes for grades three and nine. It's best to 'chat' with AI to get what you want.
My Prompt
Here is the transcript of my YouTube video for my Substack post. At the end of the video, I asked viewers to create a short answer quiz based on what they heard and saw. Since you cannot see the video, here are examples of graphics in the video include: the Sway Canada logo, the WAY game symbol, links to my sites and social media, a SMART digital lesson plan sample, a picture from Beluga Play as an example of a class project, and a collection of tools for the WAY Game picture. There is a short video of a hippo getting its teeth brushed. I'm riding the bike path from Douglasdale to the Zoo in Calgary, although the audience is only told that we are going to the zoo. I aim to demonstrate how to process information with AI. Take a transcript, ask AI to summarize the main points, but only after you try creating questions in your head or on paper first, and then you match your ideas with AI. AI will come up with more and maybe better than you can and that is what we want - to consider ideas that others come up with, then evaluate the best for later use. Ask for a point-form summary of the most important ideas in order of their value and benefits to students, parents and teachers. Answer It, is the WAY Game that I want to prepare questions for. Make a ten-question short-answer quiz based on the content of the video. Make one quiz for grade three and one for grade nine. I have included the transcript here. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of this process as a studying strategy.
Subject Line:
I left the classroom, but never stopped teaching
Header:
On the bike path with SWAY Canada: Learn to play, Play to Learn, to Remember and be Remembered
Dear Reader,
I’m Brian, a retired teacher from Canada, and I want to tell you something I’ve come to believe deeply - your learning experiences at home and in school can be better. Let’s cut to the chase. Education is hard. Teachers are leaving the profession. Parents aren't effectively involved. Students are afraid and disengaged. So what can one person do? Turns out—a lot. Each of my Substack posts will be paired with a short video from my bike rides here in Calgary, where I'll share free teaching tools, stories from the classroom, and a new way to play with learning. I created SWAY Canada to give classrooms something they need most: - Fun - Structure - Creativity - Accountability and Transparency - Practical help with AI Here’s how we do it: • The WAY Game turns daily lessons into weekly games—students create questions and activities based on daily lessons • CAP Notebooks become reflection and reporting journals, question generators for the WAY Game and may be used as funding engines for classrooms needs and Merit Pay for who does the work • SMART lesson templates reduce teacher burnout and make learning transparent and effective. • Entrepreneurial projects help students earn money for their class and Merit pay for teachers. Think of this like a school survival kit for the 21st century. I’ll post every two weeks with a story, a strategy, and something you can try tomorrow. All the links, files, and videos are at playway.ca and thewaygame.ca. Your job now? Use it. Or Pass the Play. Let’s build a better school day. Together. Brian swaycanada@substack.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfGJezEe28pr3nr_gE1fhWg https://www.instagram.com/a_smart_way_to_learn/
ChalytGPT said:
Based on your excellent transcript and visuals from your video, here’s how we can build two short-answer quizzes (one for Grade 3 and one for Grade 9), a point-form summary, and an evaluation of the study strategy you modelled in your video.
🎯 Point-Form Summary of Key Ideas (Ordered by Value & Benefits)
🔹 Benefits to Students
Learning is made fun and memorable through games.
Students learn to create questions, encouraging deeper thinking.
Reflection using CAP Notebooks improves retention and engagement.
Students develop creativity, accountability, and presentation skills.
Learning becomes more student-led and team-based.
🔹 Benefits to Teachers
Reduces burnout with ready-made SMART digital lesson templates.
CAP Notebooks give transparent records of participation and effort.
WAY Game activities provide a built-in review system.
Students are motivated to come prepared and play well.
Teachers can raise funds for resources and rewards.
🔹 Benefits to Parents
Parents participate meaningfully in “Game Prep Time.”
CAP Notebooks help parents model learning behaviors.
Encourages family bonding and shared accountability.
Easier visibility into their child’s school life.
Promotes a growth mindset at home.
🧠 Quiz 1: Grade 3 (Short Answer – Fun & Comprehension Focus)
What does SWAY stand for?
What kind of game turns lessons into fun?
What is the name of the book students use to write down ideas?
What does CAP in CAP Notebook mean?
Name one thing a student can put in a CAP Notebook.
What do teachers use the CAP Notebook money for?
What does the word “Accountability” mean?
Why do we play learning games at school?
Where was Brian riding his bike?
What animal did we see getting its teeth brushed?
🧠 Quiz 2: Grade 9 (Short Answer – Critical Thinking Focus)
What problem is SWAY Canada trying to solve?
How does the WAY Game help students engage more in class?
Explain how CAP Notebooks help with learning and fundraising.
How can parents use CAP Notebooks to help their kids learn?
What role does AI play in Brian’s learning strategy?
Describe how entrepreneurial projects can benefit a classroom.
What does it mean to “Pass the Play” in SWAY?
Why is “Transparency” important in education?
How is learning made more accountable through the WAY Game?
What was the purpose of showing the hippo brushing its teeth?
🧪 Evaluation: Is This a Good Study Strategy?
✅ Strengths
Active recall: Creating questions improves comprehension and memory.
Meta-cognition: Comparing your questions with AI's prompts self-assesses understanding.
Ownership: Students create questions, turning passive info into active knowledge.
AI Integration: Introduces students to safe, guided AI-enhanced learning.
Scaffolded thinking: Encourages students to work through complexity and refine ideas.
⚠️ Weaknesses
Requires training: Students and teachers need to know how to write good questions.
Not instant: This reflective process takes time, which may feel slow for some.
Possible over-reliance on AI: Students might skip their own thinking if AI is used too early.
Not suitable for very young learners without guidance.
Tech access barrier: Not all students may have easy access to AI tools.
✅ Recommendation for Next Step
Use these quizzes as downloadable PDFs or printable Game Cards for the WAY Game: Answer It. You can also add these to your Substack as a classroom resource in your next post. If you'd like, I can generate them for you in PDF or Game Card format. Would you like that?
Also, I can help turn this into an Instagram carousel or a downloadable lesson plan if you like. Let me know.
You said:
Instead of a focus on value and benefits, create a point-form summary of the most important ideas presented in the video with the most important ideas first.
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a point-form summary of the most important ideas presented in your Substack video transcript, arranged with the most critical concepts first, and without repeating or focusing exclusively on value/benefit framing.
🧭 Point-Form Summary of Core Ideas (Prioritized)
1. SWAY Canada is a new approach to education
It integrates games, project-based learning, and digital planning.
Designed to respond to disengaged students, overwhelmed teachers, and under-involved parents.
Offers a structured, creative, and fun way to re-engage learners.
2. The WAY Game transforms lessons into weekly gameplay
Students turn their learning into questions and challenges.
Builds engagement, collaboration, and ownership over content.
Helps make learning visible and active.
3. CAP Notebooks are the heart of daily learning routines
Used for summarizing lessons, reflection, and question creation.
Encourage listening, thinking, and accountability.
Provide a tool for both students and parents to stay in sync.
4. Teachers can use CAP Notebooks as a classroom fundraiser
Notebooks cost $11.11 and can be marked up to raise money.
Supports buying classroom supplies, prizes for the WAY Game, and project materials.
Offers a grassroots merit pay system for teachers who go the extra mile.
5. SMART Digital Lesson Templates reduce teacher workload
Lessons are transparent, editable, and easy to share.
Helps structure learning while integrating student-created content.
Supports both daily planning and long-term learning cycles.
6. Entrepreneurial Projects are built into the SWAY system
Students can earn for their class by contributing to resource creation.
Projects are practical, real-world, and often involve family or community.
Builds lifelong learning and job-ready skills.
7. Substack is used as a delivery platform
Every post includes a short video filmed during a Calgary bike ride.
Combines storytelling, tutorials, and downloadable resources.
Designed to be evergreen and self-directed.
8. The overall tone is one of urgent optimism
Education is in crisis, but change is possible—starting small.
Teachers, parents, and students all have a role to play.
“Use it or Pass the Play” is the rallying call for community action.
9. AI is a learning partner in this model
Students are encouraged to create their own questions first.
Then compare them with AI-generated alternatives.
Teaches evaluation, self-assessment, and critical thinking.
10. The video includes symbolic visuals and humor
Example: hippo brushing its teeth to represent new learning routines.
Journey on Calgary bike paths symbolizes educational journey.
Graphics include game pieces, lesson plans, and logos to reinforce concepts.
If you'd like, I can turn this into:
A downloadable PDF
A Substack graphic post
An Instagram carousel
Or a script for your next video
Just let me know!
You said:
A Substack graphic post.
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a Substack graphic post based on your transcript and our prioritized point-form summary. It’s designed to be visually clean and emotionally engaging, ideal for use in Substack, Instagram, or email headers. You can paste this directly into Canva or another design tool to lay it out as a vertical or square carousel.
🎯 SWAY Canada: What You Need to Know
🚴 On the Bike Path with SWAY Canada
Learn to play. Play to learn. To remember and be remembered.
🧠 1. The Problem
Education is in crisis.
Teachers are burning out.
Students are tuning out.
Parents feel left out.
What can one person do?Turns out—a lot.
🔧 2. The SWAY Solution
A “school survival kit” for the 21st century:
The WAY Game – turns lessons into weekly competitions
CAP Notebooks – tools for reflection, questions, and fundraising
SMART Templates – reduce teacher burnout
Entrepreneurial Projects – generate real-world learning & revenue
🎲 3. What Is the WAY Game?
A classroom game that:
Makes learning fun & social
Builds critical thinking through Q&A
Turns reflection into friendly competition
Involves parents in Game Prep
Boosts teamwork & memory
✍️ 4. What Are CAP Notebooks?
Students capture and summarize their learning
Parents model reflection at home
Teachers fundraise for class needs
Each book = 60 graphic organizers
Cost: $11.11 USD – markup funds stay in your class
📦 5. What Else Is in the Kit?
SMART digital lesson plans
Editable files & support sheets
Game cards & tutorials
Ideas for class projects
Sample score sheets and rules
🤖 6. Learning with AI
Students create their own quiz questions
Then compare them with what AI suggests
Teaches critical thinking, evaluation, and creativity
🦛 7. Bonus Visual:
Yes, we included a hippo getting its teeth brushed.Because learning should surprise and delight.
✅ 8. What Now?
✔ Try it✔ Share it✔ Or... Pass the Play
Let’s build a better school day. Together.🔗 playway.ca | thewaygame.ca
Would you like me to:
Convert this into a downloadable PDF?
Format it for Instagram carousels?
Break it into multiple Substack “snippet” posts?
Just say the word!
Be careful not to be sucked down too many rabbit holes. Work on one or two things at a time. Hope this helps.
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