CIDDL Office Hours: How to create your own GPTs
Authors: Teddy Kim; info@ciddl.org
On April 29, 2025, CIDDL hosted an Office Hours session focused on one of the most requested topics: how to create customized GPTs for educational use. Led by CIDDL Co-PIs Dr. James Basham and Dr. Matt Marino, this session went beyond demonstration. It was a space for real-time Q&A, shared experiences, and forward-thinking conversations about the future of AI in education.
Introducing the CIDDL AI Framework for PK–20 Implementation
The session began with the unveiling of CIDDL’s new AI Implementation Framework, Framework for Responsible AI Integration in PreK-20 Education (CIDDL, 2025), developed in response to the recent federal Executive Order on AI. Designed to guide educators, administrators, and teacher preparation programs, the framework breaks down core variables to consider when implementing AI across PK–20 contexts. It’s lightweight, adaptable, and accompanied by tools for professional development.
Participants were invited to download the framework from CIDDL.org and contact the CIDDL team for support in using it for local implementation planning.
From Concept to Practice: Creating Your Own Custom GPT
Dr. Basham led a hands-on walkthrough of building customized GPTs for his undergraduate SPED 326 course and High Leverage Practices. Using ChatGPT’s "My GPTs" feature and a Plus account (free for .edu users for two months), he demonstrated how to:
- Upload course documents (e.g., syllabi, PowerPoints, PDFs)
- Write clear and engaging instructions for the GPT
- Assign a custom persona (e.g., superhero, drill sergeant) to enhance engagement
- Generate suggested prompts or "conversation starters"
The process was shown to be quick and approachable, even for those without programming experience. Here is a CIDDL blog post focused on “Creating your personal GPT.”
Questions That Shaped the Conversation
Throughout the session, participants raised insightful, practical questions:
Q1: Is the free Plus account for .edu just for one month or longer?
Answer: The free trial is currently available for two months with a .edu email. Some universities also provide Plus accounts through institutional subscriptions.
Q2: We’re launching a trauma-informed FBA/BSP guidebook. What kind of GPT would help?
Answer: You could create a GPT trained on the content of your guidebook to support professional development or implementation. Recommended steps include uploading core content, assigning a supportive tone or persona, and prompting the GPT to generate PD scenarios, FAQs, or practice-based coaching responses.
Q3: What are the most effective use cases for custom GPTs in K–12 or higher education?
Answer: Top uses include co-planning, instructional coaching, ideation for case studies and lesson activities, IEP draft assistance, and even visual generation for presentations. Some attendees shared that they use GPTs for drafting realistic classroom simulations.
Other topics around AI
Dr. Marino shared recent updates to ChatGPT's built-in image generation features, which allow users to generate high-quality graphics without relying on third-party tools. These capabilities enhance the presentation of complex ideas and reduce the workload on educators. A thought-provoking conversation followed on cognitive offloading, using AI to handle routine tasks, and the potential impact on educators’ critical thinking skills. While some expressed concern, many agreed that AI can serve as a reflective partner rather than a replacement.
What’s Next for CIDDL Office Hours?
As interest in AI continues to grow, CIDDL is preparing Office Hours sessions and resources on the following emerging areas:
- AI Ethics in Education: How do we ensure fair, transparent, and AI practices in classrooms and administrative systems?
- Cognitive Offloading: How can we leverage AI while supporting, not diminishing, human judgment, creativity, critical thinking skills, and professionalism?
Stay connected through the CIDDL Community, where you can share your GPT builds, ask questions, and join a growing network of AI-empowered educators.