Artificial intelligence is changing business, culture, and learning but, like any tool, we need to learn how to use it well.
This challenging unit of work for Year 6 explores what AI is and is not. It’s important that before teaching this unit you ensure that you are familiar with all the platforms you’ll be using, and with your school’s policy on AI.
Be ready to have the sort of conversations that will prepare children to react with caution and integrity when they encounter AI as a consumer or creator. In particular, set aside plenty of time to discuss and clarify when people shouldn’t use AI.
Artificial intelligence learning objectives
- To be able to explain what AI and machine learning are and how AI has been developed, and know some of the most common AI platforms.
- To be able to identify the main features of a generative AI platform and understand how to use it to generate text using accurate and thoughtful prompts.
- To be able to use AI to enhance creative writing, and know how to collaborate with AI to generate ideas.
- To understand how to create images with AI, adapting text prompts to achieve a desired outcome.
- To understand that artificial intelligence has limitations and makes mistakes, and that it can be used to create content that is untrue and made to deceive and confuse.
- To combine prior knowledge and skills at using generative AI to create a video on a given topic for a specific audience.
Martin Burrett is a primary teacher, EdTech specialist, editor at UKEdChat, and author. See ictmagic.co/books to view his books on computing and coding, and visit ictmagic.co/8-ways to find lots more classroom coding activities.
