Using AI to teach family traditions in Year 6

From fingertips to hearts: Using AI to teach revolutionary family traditions in sixth grade  

Guo Yixuan, Chen Sijie, Jin Jun  

Vanke City Primary School, Nanchang  

Abstract:This article presents a teaching innovation example in Nanchang Vanke City Primary School’s sixth-grade ideological and political courses. By utilizing AI technology, the school has been able to effectively carry out the transmission of red family traditions. Through the establishment of a digital, intelligent ideological and political classroom, the school has integrated red family traditions with modern educational technologies. This has not only improved the teaching methods but also significantly enhanced students’ learning interest and participation. It achieves a level of educational impact that goes beyond mere “digital interaction” to reach the “heart”, thereby preserving the traditional essence of ideological and political education while also introducing modern technological elements.    

Keywords:AI technology; red family traditions; ideological and political education    

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Education: “We should use new media and technologies to make our work more dynamic. We should integrate the traditional advantages of ideological and political education with information technology, thereby enhancing its relevance and appeal in today’s context.” Under this guiding principle, Wanken City Primary School in Nanchang has been actively exploring the integration of AI technology into ideological and political education. In particular, during the teaching of the inheritance of red family traditions for sixth-grade students, we have carried out a series of practical attempts. By creating a digital, intelligent classroom for ideological and political education, and utilizing technologies such as AI interaction, big data analysis, and virtual reality, we strive to bring the teaching of red family traditions from a superficial level to a deeper, more meaningful level. This approach not only preserves the “authenticity” of ideological and political education but also adds a modern, innovative element to it.  

1. The establishment of intelligent ideological and political classrooms  

In today’s context where education emphasizes comprehensive development and personalized training, Vanke City Primary School focuses on developing the overall qualities of students. It chooses the theme of inheriting the “red family tradition” as the basis for carrying out educational activities related to ideology and politics. The community surrounding the school is rich in cultural resources, which provides convenient conditions for carrying out such activities. Moreover, the school is committed to exploring unique models of ideological and political education. It hopes to enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education through innovative teaching methods.  

Wanke City Primary School carries out educational activities focused on the inheritance of red family traditions and ideological education. The aim is to enable students to deeply understand the rich connotations and contemporary significance of these traditions, and to inherit the excellent qualities of the revolutionary predecessors. Through intelligent educational methods, students can be influenced by red culture through lively and interesting activities, thereby developing a sense of patriotism and core socialist values. Additionally, by using intelligent education platforms, traditional teaching limitations are overcome, providing students with a broader learning environment. This allows them to enhance their overall capabilities through independent exploration and cooperative interaction, and to strengthen their sense of social responsibility. As a result, they can become well-rounded socialist builders and successors who excel in all aspects of development—intellectual, moral, physical, artistic, and labor-related.  

(1) AI-based interactive teaching  

In the “Inheritance of Red Family Traditions” educational program for sixth-grade students at Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang, AI and information-based teaching platforms play an important role. AI brings new vitality to the education related to the inheritance of red family traditions. It can precisely deliver learning materials related to these traditions, taking into account the different characteristics of students. For example, based on the students’ learning progress and interests, it can intelligently recommend stories and video materials related to the family traditions of revolutionary figures, enabling students to better understand the profound meaning of these traditions through personalized learning.  

The information-based teaching platform serves as an important support for practical implementation. By utilizing the intelligent education platform, schools have created a rich repository of red family traditions. On this platform, there are not only textual materials such as messages from revolutionary ancestors and family letters, but also a large number of multimedia resources including images, videos, and audio files. Students can browse stories about red family traditions online, watch documentaries about the deeds of revolutionary predecessors, and listen to audio explanations about these traditions. Through this platform, students can also engage in online interactions, share their own insights about these traditions, and discuss the contemporary significance of these traditions with teachers and classmates. The platform also includes online testing sections, which use knowledge related to red family traditions to help students reinforce what they have learned, assess their learning outcomes, and enable the “seeds” of these traditions to take root in students’ hearts.  

With the help of AI technology, we have enabled real-time interaction between students and stories about the red family traditions. Through generative AI, students can engage in immersive conversations with virtual characters in class; for example, they can “converse with” revolutionary pioneers, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of these red family traditions. This innovative teaching method has greatly increased students’ interest and participation in learning.  

(2) Big data analysis of student learning situations  

Using big data technology, we collect and analyze comprehensive data on students’ learning behaviors and preferences. During this process, we remove invalid information through data cleaning, extract key elements from the data, and build models to quantify learning performance, thereby creating a multi-dimensional analysis framework. With the help of the AI learning analysis system, teachers can accurately understand their students’ learning situations, adjust teaching strategies accordingly, and ensure that every student can fully understand the content and values of the Red Family traditions.  

II. Teaching practices for inheriting the red family tradition  

In the digital and intelligent ideological and political classrooms, we have carried out a series of teaching activities focused on the inheritance of red family traditions.  

(1) Red stories in the classroom  

We have selected a series of stories about family traditions in red tones, and presented them in a lively way through AI-based interactive teaching methods. Students can engage in conversations with virtual characters, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the historical context and emotional aspects behind these stories. Additionally, we use knowledge graph technology to visualize the local cultural elements, helping students build a “tree of family tradition”.  

Teachers also use technologies such as virtual reality to create immersive learning environments for students. For example, students can be “sent back in time” to the revolutionary era, allowing them to experience the living conditions and family atmosphere of the revolutionary predecessors. In this way, students can more fully understand the value of the red family traditions. During the teaching process, teachers focus on guiding students to integrate these red family traditions into their daily lives. They encourage students to share the positive family traditions in their own families, and to explore how to incorporate the essence of these traditions into their everyday behavior. This helps to develop students’ practical skills and ability to make value judgments. As a result, the red family traditions are passed down and promoted in students’ lives, allowing them to be influenced by the red culture over time, and to develop correct values.  

(2) Discussion on the theme of “red family traditions”  

In classroom teaching, Wankai City Primary School in Nanchang skillfully utilizes intelligent education technologies to help students understand the traditions of the red family. First, the teacher plays videos or audio materials related to the traditions of the red family, such as stories about the hardworking and dedicated nature of the revolutionary predecessors, in order to attract students’ attention and stimulate their interest in learning. Then, using the interactive features of the intelligent education platform, the teacher organizes group discussions among students. The topics for these discussions can include “The impact of the traditions of the red family on the revolutionary predecessors” and “The manifestation of these traditions in modern society”, allowing students to deepen their understanding of these traditions through communication.  

By utilizing the interactive features of the digital ideological and political classroom, we organized students to discuss topics related to the red family traditions. Through AI-based ethical reasoning sessions and intelligent debate systems, students can engage in in-depth discussions on these issues. This helps them improve their oral communication skills, while also deepening their understanding of the red family traditions.  

(3) Red Family Tradition Practice Activities  

In line with the actual conditions of the school, we have organized a series of activities related to the tradition of red family values. For example, students were invited to visit memorials related to revolutionary history, and speech competitions on this topic were held. In addition, students were encouraged to use AI technology to create digital works such as “Commitments to Family Values in the New Era”, thereby further enhancing their sense of patriotism and national pride.  

III. Evaluation of Practical Outcomes  

After a period of teaching practice, we have found that digital intelligent ideological and political classrooms have achieved significant results in the transmission of red family traditions. Students’ interest and participation in learning have greatly increased, and their understanding of red family traditions has become more profound. According to the data provided by the intelligent classroom system, students’ understanding of the “historical value of red family traditions” has improved significantly. At the same time, we also notice that the application of AI technology in ideological and political education still needs further optimization and innovation.  

(1) Improvement in students’ awareness and participation  

In the “Inheritance of Red Family Traditions” intelligent ideological and political education activity for sixth-grade students at Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang, intelligent education has achieved significant results in improving students’ understanding and participation in the inheritance of red family traditions.  

From a cognitive perspective, with the help of artificial intelligence technologies and information-based teaching platforms, students can access a wide variety of resources related to the traditions of the red revolutionary spirit. These include stories and video materials about the traditions of the revolutionary predecessors. These resources are presented in a clear and vivid manner, making the abstract concept of the red revolutionary traditions more tangible. Students are no longer limited to the text in textbooks; instead, they can understand the background, meaning, and historical significance of these traditions through videos and audio materials. For example, after watching videos about the hard work, simplicity, and dedication of the revolutionary predecessors, students can gain a deeper understanding of the true essence behind these traditions.  

In terms of participation, the interactivity and fun elements of intelligent education greatly stimulate students’ enthusiasm for involvement. In class, teachers use the interactive features of the intelligent education platform to organize group discussions. Students actively express their opinions on topics such as “The influence of the red family traditions on the revolutionary predecessors.” Through these discussions, ideas are exchanged and new insights are generated. The immersive learning environment created by AI allows students to feel as if they are living in the revolutionary era; they can experience the living conditions and family atmosphere of the revolutionary predecessors. This innovative learning method attracts students’ attention and encourages them to actively participate in learning. Additionally, the online tests and interactive sessions on the platform enable students to consolidate their knowledge in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, share their thoughts, and further deepen their understanding of the red family traditions. This enhances their participation, ensuring that the inheritance of the red family traditions truly takes root in students’ hearts.  

(II) Specific achievements and works displayed  

The “Red Family Tradition Inheritance” educational and ideological practice project carried out by the sixth-grade students of Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang has achieved fruitful results. The students have created many excellent works.  

Some students depicted the red family tradition through paintings. Using colorful brushes, they illustrated the hardworking and simple lives of the revolutionary predecessors. For example, they depicted Chairman Mao wearing patched clothes, and Premier Zhou’s simple office. The images were vivid and expressive, showing respect for the revolutionary predecessors. Other students depicted scenes of their families carrying on the red family tradition, such as family members studying red-themed stories and participating in charitable activities together. This shows how the red family tradition continues in modern families.  

In the area of handcrafting, the students also demonstrated remarkable creativity. They created handicrafts related to the red family traditions. For example, they used scissors and colored paper to make portraits of figures associated with the red family traditions. These works are both environmentally friendly and educational, reflecting the students’ deep understanding and unique creativity regarding the red family traditions.  

Some students expressed their insights regarding the red family traditions through recitation. They wrote articles and poems about these traditions, and their words reflected respect for the revolutionary predecessors and a firm determination to carry forward the red family traditions. Some students shared real stories about how their ancestors passed on these traditions; their emotions were sincere and touching. Others imagined how they would continue to carry forward these traditions in the future, showing a strong desire for a better life.  

These achievements and works not only demonstrate the gains that students have obtained in practicing ideological and political education based on the traditions of the red family, but also show the significant effectiveness of intelligent education in stimulating students’ creativity and developing their overall qualities. This has added new vitality to the inheritance of the red family traditions.  

IV. Impacts on teachers  

(1) The transformation of teaching methods  

In the “Inheritance of Red Family Traditions” intelligent ideological and political education activity for the sixth grade students at Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang, intelligent education has led to a significant change in the teaching methods used by teachers.  

In the past, teachers focused primarily on the transmission of knowledge, with one-way instruction being the norm in the classroom, and students merely passively received information. However, under the influence of intelligent education, teachers have shifted their approach to be student-centered, emphasizing autonomous, cooperative, and inquiry-based learning. Using artificial intelligence technologies and information-based teaching platforms, teachers provide students with learning materials related to the red family traditions in advance, such as stories and videos about the traditions of revolutionary predecessors, enabling students to have a preliminary understanding of these traditions before class begins. In class, teachers no longer simply teach; instead, they encourage students’ interest and desire to learn through group discussions and immersive learning environments.  

During group discussions, teachers provide guidance and assistance as appropriate, based on the characteristics of the students and the progress of the discussion. This allows students to freely exchange their thoughts on topics such as “the influence of the red family traditions on the revolutionary predecessors”. In the immersive learning environments created by virtual reality technology, teachers guide students to “travel back” to the revolutionary era, enabling them to experience the living conditions and family atmosphere of the revolutionary predecessors. In this way, students can better understand the importance of the red family traditions. Through these changes in teaching methods, teachers no longer act as mere disseminators of knowledge, but rather as guides, helpers, and facilitators for students’ learning. This enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the rich meaning and contemporary value of the red family traditions through lively and engaging activities. It also helps to develop students’ overall qualities and innovative abilities, ensuring that the traditions of the red family are truly established in their hearts.  

(2) Improvement of information literacy  

Smart education poses new requirements for teachers’ digital literacy, and also facilitates the development of teachers in the practice of ideological and political education that preserves the traditional values of the family.  

In the context of smart education, teachers need to have the ability to utilize information technology tools effectively. With the widespread use of multimedia and intelligent devices in teaching, teachers must not only be proficient in traditional tools such as computers and projectors, but also be able to use emerging tools like artificial intelligence technologies and information-based teaching platforms. Teachers should be able to provide learning content related to the red family tradition according to teaching needs, create a rich database of such content, organize online interactions through platforms, and conduct online tests.  

Teachers also need to have the ability to integrate and innovate information resources. There is a large amount of information related to the red family tradition. Teachers must select the valuable elements from this vast array of resources, organize, edit, and transform them so that they are more suitable for students’ learning and understanding. Teachers should also be able to create innovative teaching materials by integrating the theme of the red family tradition, such as creating micro-lectures or animations related to this theme, in order to present the essence of the red family tradition in a more vivid and engaging way.  

The digital literacy of teachers is also reflected in their ability to utilize information technology. Teachers should be able to integrate information technology seamlessly into the teaching content related to the inheritance of red family traditions. They can create immersive learning environments using technologies such as virtual reality. By utilizing big data to analyze students’ learning patterns, teachers can adjust their teaching strategies accordingly, thereby improving the effectiveness of their teaching. In this process, teachers continuously learn new information technology and educational concepts, enhancing their digital literacy and promoting their professional development. This helps in the continuation of red family traditions and the advancement of ideological and political education.  

V. Summary and Prospects of Practice  

(1) Summary of practical experience and achievements  

The “Red Family Tradition Inheritance” intellectual and political education activity carried out by the sixth-grade students of Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang has accumulated rich experience and achieved significant results.  

In terms of experience, schools effectively identify the points of integration between intelligent education and the inheritance of red family traditions. By utilizing AI and information-based teaching platforms, a comprehensive database of red family traditions is established, providing students with personalized learning opportunities. In the classroom, technologies such as AI are used to create immersive learning environments, thereby stimulating students’ interest and desire to explore. Attention is also paid to guiding students to connect the red family traditions with real-life situations, so that the inheritance of these traditions can be truly embedded in students’ lives.  

In terms of outcomes, students’ understanding and engagement have significantly improved. Their comprehension of the red family traditions goes beyond mere surface knowledge; they are able to grasp their true essence. Students have created various excellent works in forms such as paintings, crafts, and writing, demonstrating their deep insights and unique creativity regarding the red family traditions. The teaching methods of teachers have also changed – they have shifted from being mere knowledge transmitters to becoming guides and helpers who assist students in their learning. Additionally, their digital literacy has also been greatly enhanced.  

This practice not only enriched the spiritual world of students and developed their overall qualities, but also provided useful insights for the development of intelligent ideological and political education. It also brought new vitality to the inheritance of red family traditions.  

(II) Recommendations for the Development of Smart Ideological and Political Education in the Future  

In the future, intelligent ideological and political education should be further explored and innovated based on the successful implementation in Vanke City Primary School in Nanchang.  

At a technical level, it is necessary to promote the integrated application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data in ideological and political education. The functions of smart education platforms should be continuously improved, and channels for accessing resources should be expanded, so as to provide students with more diverse and precise learning resources. By analyzing students’ learning behaviors and thoughts through big data, it is possible to accurately understand their needs and challenges, thereby providing a scientific basis for the development of teaching strategies.  

In terms of content, it is necessary to continuously enrich the content system of ideological and political education. In addition to red family traditions, more excellent traditional cultural, revolutionary cultural, and advanced socialist cultural resources can also be explored and integrated into intelligent ideological and political education. Attention should be paid to the relevance and timeliness of the content; by combining current social issues and students’ real lives, students can better understand and practice the core values.  

In terms of teaching methods, the student-centered approach should be continued. The advantages of intelligent education should be fully utilized, and innovative teaching models should be developed. For example, more online interactions and offline activities should be organized, allowing students to learn through experience and grow through practice. Emphasis should be placed on cultivating students’ ability to learn independently and their innovative thinking. Students should be guided to identify and solve problems during their ideological and political studies, thereby enhancing their overall competence.  

In the future, intelligent ideological and political education should continuously explore the deep integration of technology and content, innovate teaching methods, and contribute to the cultivation of socialist builders and successors who possess all aspects of development – moral, intellectual, physical, artistic, and labor skills. 

6. Conclusion  

Through the educational practice of teaching the inheritance of red family traditions to sixth-grade students in the ideological and political education curriculum, supported by AI, we have truly appreciated the important role that new media and advanced technologies play in ideological and political work. In the future, we will continue to explore more innovative teaching methods and technological applications, and promote the integration of the traditional advantages of ideological and political work with information technology. This will contribute further to the development of socialist builders and successors who are well-rounded in terms of moral, intellectual, physical, artistic, and labor skills.