Create your own AI chatbots for education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into classrooms, opening up new and exciting opportunities in education. Large language models – such as ChatGPT – can serve as teaching assistants that are always available to students. Over the past year, the chatbot has become a popular tool in teaching, partly because of its ability to produce well-written text. In this article, you will get an informal and practical walkthrough of what AI-driven chatbots are, how they can be used in teaching, and not least how you can create a chatbot step-by-step.

What are AI chatbots/conversational agents?

An AI-powered chatbot (also known as a conversational bot) is a computer program that can mimic a human conversation through text (or speech). Modern chatbots are based on sophisticated language models – algorithms trained on vast amounts of text – that enable them to understand questions and provide relevant answers. A recent report from RAND Corporation shows that AI-based tools, including chatbots, are being rapidly adopted in schools. In other words: a chatbot is an AI-based support tool you can talk to about almost anything.

How can chatbots be used in education?

AI chatbots can be of great use to both students and teachers. In fact, AI can be used for a variety of tasks in the classroom. It can serve as an endless source of knowledge that answers factual questions, explains concepts, and tailors explanations to the student's level. For example, an AI chatbot can explain difficult concepts, suggest resources, and provide customized examples for better understanding. It can assist a curious student in learning more about a subject, or support a student who is struggling and needs extra explanation. Chatbots can also relieve the teacher by answering simple questions, allowing the teacher to spend more time with the students who need it most.

The benefits of AI-powered chatbots in education include:

• Availability: The chatbot can be available 24/7. Students can get help with homework and questions even after school hours.
• Patience and Adaptability: The digital assistant never grows impatient – students can ask the same questions over and over, and the chatbot will explain again in a slightly different way. The responses can often be tailored to the student's age level and prior knowledge.
• Engagement: Many students find it fun and motivating to learn through an interactive conversation. It can feel less intimidating to 'talk' with a robot than to raise a hand in class.
• Variation in teaching: AI chatbots can be introduced as a supplement in the curriculum to diversify the methods of work – for example, as part of station teaching or group work where one station involves using a subject-specific chatbot.

Of course, chatbots should not replace the teacher or human interaction in the classroom. But when used correctly, they can be a powerful learning tool that enhances mastery and makes teaching more interactive.

How to create your own chatbot (step-by-step)

Creating an AI-powered chatbot might sound complicated, but it doesn't have to be. You don't need to know programming to get started – there are user-friendly tools that do the work for you. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Choose a platform and log in: Start by finding a service that allows you to create chatbots. For Norwegian schools, it might be wise to choose a platform tailored for education. Our service SchoolHub.ai is a good example – a Norway-based service, available in many languages, supported by Innovation Norway, and specifically designed for students and teachers. Log in and familiarize yourself with the interface. Alternatively, you can use general solutions like ChatGPT for simple prototypes, but be aware of privacy concerns and that the data model is not specifically tailored for educational contexts.
2. Define the purpose of the chatbot: Consider what and who the chatbot is for. Should it assist students with a specific subject, or function as a general inquiry service across subjects? Perhaps you want to create a History Helper that answers questions about World War II, or a Math Mentor for algebra? By having a clear purpose, it becomes easier to design the content.
3. Create an effective prompt/instruction:The prompt is the initial instruction you give to the AI model, which defines its role and behavior.
   
   To have a useful chatbot, you must write a clear and specific prompt. Be specific and detailed in the description of what the chatbot should do, the length of responses, style, language, target audience, and the tone in which it should reply. Avoid ambiguous descriptions and instructions. Prefer instructions that say 'what to do' rather than those that say 'what not to do'.
   
   For example: This prompt gives the chatbot a clear role. The better you describe the desired behavior, the more accurate responses it will be able to provide.
   (Tip: Start simple, and adjust the prompt as you test the responses it provides. The prompt can be fine-tuned along the way to improve the results.)
   
   You are MathMentor, a patient and helpful math teacher who explains math problems step by step.
* Respond in Norwegian, with a friendly and encouraging tone.
* Explain the solution logically and pedagogically, with clear intermediate steps.
* Explain how to arrive at a solution instead of just giving the answer to the problem.
* When a student makes a mistake, explain why in an understandable way, and show the correct solution.
* Use a bullet list or numbered list for step-by-step solutions.
* Respond briefly and concisely unless the user asks for a longer explanation.
4. Upload or enter relevant information: To make the chatbot academically precise, you should give it access to relevant materials. Some platforms allow you to upload documents (e.g., PDFs, academic texts, articles) or paste text as a knowledge base for the chatbot. For example, if you are creating a chatbot about the history of Norway, you could upload a summary of the curriculum chapter on the Viking Age. The chatbot will then be able to use this information when responding, ensuring that the answers are more accurate and in line with what the students have learned. At SchoolHub.ai, you can easily link the chatbot to your own content – this increases the chance that the answers are based on approved sources you have selected. (If the platform does not support uploading your own content, you can alternatively type important facts directly into the prompt. This works better when dealing with a small amount of content.)
5. Test and fine-tune the chatbot: Now comes the fun part – test drive the chatbot! Enter some typical questions a student might ask. Are the responses working well? If the chatbot provides incorrect or unclear answers, go back to the prompt and adjust the instructions. You might need to specify that it should give shorter, simpler answers, or refer to a source. Test in different academic scenarios. It's completely normal to spend a few rounds on fine-tuning. Once you're satisfied, you can let some colleagues or students try the chatbot and provide feedback. Based on testing, you can further adjust the language, tone, or academic details. Soon you'll have a fully functioning chatbot tailored for your class!

Examples of use in various subjects and situations

The possibilities with AI chatbots in schools are numerous. Here are some examples of how you can utilize them in various subjects and teaching situations:

• Writing and reading: Allow students to use a chatbot as a personal writing coach. For instance, it can provide specific advice to improve the texts they write. 'How can I make the introduction more engaging?' – the chatbot can suggest rephrasings or new elements. Students can receive feedback on how a text can be improved, or use the chatbot as a sort of reference tool to learn about writing rules. This gives each student a personal 'training partner' in writing, without the teacher having to read absolutely everything in the process. Chatbots can also be used for reading comprehension: a student can ask questions about a text they have read ('What did the author really mean by ...?') and receive explanations.
• Foreign Languages: In language teaching, a chatbot can function as a conversation partner for students. Imagine an English chatbot that students can chat with to practice their language skills. The chatbot can correct spelling errors, introduce new vocabulary in its responses, and explain meanings if the student asks. This is incredibly valuable for oral practice as well – the student can “talk” (write) with the chatbot in English, German, Spanish, etc., and receive immediate feedback. It provides extensive practice in a safe environment where no one is afraid to make mistakes. For younger students learning basic English, the chatbot can respond in simpler terms and perhaps include emojis to make it fun 😉. In foreign language classes at the middle school level, it can be used for role-playing: the student carries on a dialogue with the chatbot pretending to be a person from another country.
• Social Studies and History: Make history come alive with the help of a chatbot! You can create a historical chatbot that assumes the role of a famous historical figure. For example, 'Talk to Franklin D. Roosevelt' – where the chatbot responds as if it were the U.S. President during the Great Depression and World War II. Students can ask about the New Deal, leadership during wartime, and major policy decisions, receiving first-person responses. This can spark curiosity: What was it like to lead the nation during such pivotal moments in history? Similarly, a social studies chatbot can simulate a Supreme Court justice explaining landmark cases, or a climate scientist discussing environmental challenges. In social studies, debate and reflection are also key – the chatbot can argue for a position, while students argue against it, helping them practice critical thinking and persuasive skills. The possibilities are endless for transforming textbook knowledge into interactive dialogue!
• Mathematics: Can a chatbot help in math? Yes – as a support for understanding. A math chatbot can explain mathematical concepts and show steps to solutions. Say a student is stuck on an equation: “How do I solve 2x + 5 = 15?” – the chatbot can demonstrate how to move terms step by step and isolate x. It can also create additional problems: “Give me another problem like this one, so I can practice”. Although large language models are not originally designed to solve every arithmetic problem flawlessly, it can still make a positive contribution to math education (Eurasia Journal review). In practice, one should verify that the answers are correct, but as an explanatory tool, it is excellent. For younger students, one could create a chatbot named MathFox or similar, which provides simple math puzzles and positive feedback. For older students, the chatbot can explain geometric concepts or help with ideas on how to prove a statement. Mathematics is about understanding the how and why, and a good chatbot can provide alternative explanations that complement the teacher's.
• Natural Sciences and STEM: In natural sciences, an AI chatbot can function as an always available "textbook" that answers odd questions students might come up with. “Why is the sky blue?”, “How does photosynthesis work?” – the chatbot provides explanations with an appropriate level of detail. It can also suggest simple experiments: “How can I demonstrate the greenhouse effect in the classroom?” and offer ideas for equipment and procedure. For programming/IT subjects, the chatbot can assist the student in finding errors in the code (debugging) or suggest how to write a specific function. In biology, it can explain processes in the body, and in physics, it can calculate simple formulas (but remember to double-check the answers!). Because the chatbot can draw on updated knowledge, it can also be used for interdisciplinary topics such as technology in society – for example, answer questions about artificial intelligence ethics when the class discusses it.
• Creative subjects and project work: In arts and crafts, music, or other creative subjects, chatbots can be inspirators. An idea bank chatbot can suggest project ideas (“Design a poster that shows environmental protection – what symbols can I use?”), or help students reflect on their own work (“Name three things that make this story exciting to read” for a creative writing project). In interdisciplinary projects, where students may need to identify a problem and solve it, the chatbot can be used in the brainstorming phase: Students describe the problem to the chatbot and ask for suggestions for possible solutions or approaches. This can jumpstart creativity. For example, in entrepreneurship projects, an AI chatbot can act as a “mentor” asking critical questions and challenging students to think further.
• Preparation and administrative assistance for the teacher: An often overlooked use of chatbots is as the teacher's personal assistant. AI tools can save you time by automating various pre- and post-tasks. You can ask a chatbot to generate a draft for a quiz or chapter test (of course, you'll need to ensure quality afterwards), formulate differentiated tasks for strong and weak students, or even suggest a draft for an annual plan based on competency goals. For instance, survey data shows that many teachers now use AI tools like ChatGPT to help plan lessons (K–12 Dive, 2024). Teachers can also use chatbots to customize material – how about taking a scholarly article in English and asking AI to summarize the main points in a different language? Or rephrase a difficult text into simpler language for a tailored task? Such use of AI can give teachers more time for pedagogical work, while routine tasks are delegated to the algorithms.

These examples are just the beginning. Each class and subject is unique, and creative use of AI should be explored through some trial and error. Go at your own pace, and start small – for instance with one chatbot in one subject – and expand as you see the benefits. Soon you will discover that the range is wide and that chatbots can be adapted to almost any learning situation.

Get started with SchoolHub.ai – create your first chatbot!

Now that you have been introduced to the concept, practical procedures, and examples, the most important part remains: try it yourself! 🚀 The best way to understand the potential of AI chatbots is to experiment in your own teaching. Fortunately, it's easy to get started. At SchoolHub.ai, you can start creating your own chatbots for the class completely free of charge. The platform is designed for the school system, so you can be assured that privacy and security are taken care of.

Take the challenge: Create a simple chatbot in a subject you teach, and test it out with some students. It can be as simple as a bot that asks quiz questions about the chapter you just went through, or a bot that students can ask for homework help on a topic. You will quickly see what works well, and what might need fine-tuning – and that learning process itself is very valuable. Feel free to involve the students in the process: Explain to them what an AI chatbot is, and let them come up with suggestions for what it can be used for. Students often find it exciting to be part of something so innovative, and their input can give you new ideas.

Share ideas and experiences: After trying out a chatbot in the classroom, share your experiences with colleagues at school or on social media/professional teacher groups. What worked surprisingly well? Were there any challenges? By sharing both successes and stumbling blocks, we help each other learn best practices for AI in education. Perhaps in time, you could build an entire library of shared chatbots for different subjects that teachers across the country could benefit from?

Get help if you're stuck: Do you find it difficult to get started, or do you need tips for writing prompts? Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance. We at the SchoolHub.ai team are happy to help. Whether it's technical guidance or educational advice, there's a growing network of enthusiastic teachers and developers passionate about AI in education.

AI-driven chatbots represent a new era in digital learning. They can make teaching more interactive, personalized, and fun for students. As with all new tools, it's important to use them wisely and with ethical awareness, but the potential is enormous. Create your first chatbot today, and see how your class responds. You might be pleasantly surprised by how much it engages both you and the students. Good luck with your chatbot experimentation in the classroom! 🎉