Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a hot topic in today’s classrooms. I have spent the past few weeks exploring arguably the most talked about AI program in history, ChatGPT. However, with the rise of ChatGPT, AI in education has been around for some time already and more importantly already shapes our lives as we know them. Now, with recent advances in technology, it’s more important than ever for students to understand the implications and applications of AI. However, as educators, it’s also crucial that we understand the potential biases and ethical dilemmas that come with using AI in our classrooms. Let’s explore some of the advantages and challenges of teaching AI in the primary classroom, as well as some fantastic resources that can help educators get started.
One of the main advantages of teaching AI in the primary classroom is that it helps students develop valuable 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. AI is not only a rapidly growing field, but it’s also an interdisciplinary one, with connections to Maths, Science, and Digital Technology and more. By teaching students about AI, we’re giving them the opportunity to learn about the future and think about how they can make a positive impact in the world.
That being said, one of the major challenges of teaching AI is dealing with biased data. As AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on, it’s crucial that we’re aware of the data that’s being used to train these models. Biased data can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes, and it’s important for educators to be aware of these potential biases and address them in the classroom. Take a moment to check out ‘How I’m fighting bias in algorithms“ by Joy Buolamwini.
In light of this, it’s crucial that we also teach students about ethical considerations when it comes to AI. Tools like the “Moral Machine” from MIT can be used to start discussions around the implications of self-driving cars and other AI-related ethical dilemmas.
Now that we’ve explored some of the advantages and challenges of teaching AI, let’s dive into some fantastic resources that can help educators get started.
First on the list is “Hello Ruby: Love Letters to Computers.” This resource is a child-friendly introduction to digital technology, with activities such as “reCAPTCHA Code” and “Build your Own Robot.” The Hello Ruby book series is a great resource for teaching all digital technology resources.
Another fun and interactive resource is “Google Quick Draw.” This game uses AI to predict your doodles based on previous data. It’s a great way to introduce students to the concept of machine learning.
For students who have been using Scratch, “Machine Learning for Kids” is a great resource to expand their knowledge of AI and coding. This tool allows you to create your own AI projects to recognize text, images, numbers, or sounds through machine learning.
“AI4K12” is a fantastic resource for teachers looking to better understand AI and ways to use it in their classrooms. It has a great mailing list of upcoming webinars and resources, as well as a plethora of online learning materials.
Another tool that can help educators incorporate AI in their classroom is “MIT Media Lab Scratch (AI Version).” This sandbox version of Scratch allows users to utilize elements of AI and ML, with preset AI extensions already preset. One of the favourite is using Teachable Machine to plugin to and create your own AI program.
Last but not least, “Google AI Experiments” is a Google initiative that has a collection of AI programs that are fun to play with and test the power of AI. A personal favorite of mine is the “Freddiemeter.”
In conclusion, teaching AI in the primary classroom can be a great way to give students the opportunity to learn about the future and think about how they can make a positive impact in the world. These are just the tip of the iceberg of AI tools, but be sure to check the age-restrictions and dangers of using these type of tools with younger learners. Many AI tools don’t have age filters and are recommended for 13+ or even 18+ users, so have fun and stay safe!
PS – no references to Skynet this time round 🙂