What is the difference between a Sidekick and Spaces, and when would you choose one over the other?
Sidekicks are a special kind of Space, but not every Space is a Sidekick. Let’s explore the differences between the two and discover how each can be beneficial in its own unique way.
Sidekick
A Sidekick is a friendly AI assistant for your students, designed to help them tackle a wide range of problems in any given subject. Its primary purpose is to offer helpful solutions and answers, and engage in stimulating and insightful conversations about classroom topics you've assigned to the class. If your students ask Sidekick a question, it will provide them with an answer.
Think of a Sidekick as a personal tutor for your students that can help them conduct research, understand subjects, and get assistance when needed. Or, it can talk to your students about any topic in a safe and monitored environment!
What can a Sidekick do?
- Answer any question your students might have about any topic
- Help students work through mathematical equations
- Make complicated subjects easier to understand
- Check student comprehension of a subject or topic learned in class
- Engage in thoughtful conversations with your student about challenging or sensitive subjects in a supportive and secure environment
Leverage Sidekick to assess your students' comprehension of specific topics, gauge their interests, and even gain insights into their overall attitudes toward learning and participation.
Common Sidekick Prompts
- "Help my students research ____"
- "Help my students review the topic ____"
- "Be a tutor for my students in ____"
- "Give my students a safe space to talk about ____"
Spaces
Spaces are student-centered, AI-powered learning experiences that you create and students interact with. Think of Spaces as an extension of yourself as a teacher. They allow each student to get individualized teaching and interactions at their own pace, tailored for their unique needs.
Applications of this tool are limited only by your imagination. Spaces allow your students to:
- Chat with Fredrick Douglas, Leonardo Da Vinci, or other historical figures
- Start or end the day with a topic and personalized conversation about the lesson
- Follow a YouTube video and get commentary about the content
- Work with with a subject tutor to ask questions about their assignments
- Learn new languages or work within their own
You can design your own or browse our discover library to find a pre-made Space that works for your classroom. As your students work in the space on their own devices, you’ll be able to monitor their progress through sessions, a dashboard that gives you insight into their activity, content mastery, and even how they’re feeling that day.
No matter your comfort level with AI, creating Spaces requires minimal effort. Apply state and grade-level Common Core standards to your spaces with confidence, knowing your students won’t be able to knock the bot off-track. You can make your Space a sidekick, bellringer, or exit ticket to further contextualize the learning.