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Using AI to Build Support Tools for Students: Pacing Guide Generators and Beyond

In virtual and asynchronous education, one of the most persistent challenges is keeping students on track without daily in-person check-ins. When learners fall behind, they can quickly become overwhelmed, especially when teacher oversight is limited.

Enter AI-powered support tools.

🧠 Why AI in Pacing Matters

As educators and instructional leaders, we can now customize AI tools to meet our students’ real needs. One simple yet powerful example?

✅ The AI-Powered Pacing Guide Generator

This tool creates individualized learning schedules based on each student’s:

  • ✅ Start date

  • ✅ Course length

  • ✅ Available work days

🛠️ What Is a Pacing Guide Generator?

A pacing guide generator takes a few simple inputs (course content, end date, skipped days) and automatically produces a custom, student-friendly plan.

With just a few lines of code, you can generate pacing guides directly into Google Docs or Google Sheets with minimal effort.

🎯 Use it once, reuse it forever.

💡 Why This Changes the Game

AI is more than chatbots. It's about solving real instructional problems. Here's how:

👩‍🎓 Supports Student Agency

Students know exactly what to do and when to do it.

⏱️ Reduces Teacher Workload

Instead of manually building 100 pacing guides, build one tool and apply it across classes.

🧭 Enables Targeted Interventions

If students fall behind, teachers or learning coaches can see exactly where and provide support right away.

⚙️ How It Works: Step-by-Step

Imagine a student starts Algebra I on September 10 and wants to finish by January 30.

The AI:

  1. Counts the total number of lessons

  2. Removes weekends and custom off-days

  3. Divides the lessons into a daily or weekly schedule

  4. Generates a pacing guide (with optional motivational messages!)

🧰 Get Started in 5 Steps

You don’t need to be a software engineer. Here’s how to get rolling:

  1. 📝 Sketch the output: Decide what your pacing guide should look like

  2. 📊 Gather input data: Identify where student info lives (e.g., LMS, spreadsheet)

  3. 🤖 Choose an AI model: Use ChatGPT, Gemini, or another LLM

  4. ✏️ Write a prompt: Tell the AI how to generate your code. Sample Prompt

  5. 🌐 Deploy it: Embed the code in your LMS or host it on a simple site

🎥 Watch this quick video tutorial to see it in action.

🎯 Final Thought

AI tools like a pacing guide generator don’t just save time; they empower both students and educators in virtual learning environments.

Let’s stop chasing students and start guiding them with smart, scalable tools.

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