AI Literacy for our Littlest Learners
Last week, I attended this great webinar hosted by AI for Education. When we hear AI, we usually think of ChatGPT or high-tech tools that aren't exactly age-appropriate for a 6-year-old. But the session made a compelling case: AI is already part of our students' lives, from the videos recommended to them on YouTube to the voice assistants they talk to at home.
The big takeaway? We aren't recommending direct student use of AI before third grade. However, we have a responsibility to build AI Literacy early on, and we might be surprised how much will click with our students.
How do we teach AI to young learners?
The goal isn’t to get kids "on" the tech, but to help them understand the world around the tech. Here’s what was covered:
Spotting AI in the Wild: Using real-world examples to show kids that AI is a tool humans built. It’s in our Netflix recommendations and our car’s GPS.
The "Magic" vs. The Math: Modeling developmentally appropriate language (think storytelling and guided exploration) to explain that AI doesn't "think" like a person, but it follows patterns.
Human-in-the-Loop: Teaching kids that humans provide the ideas and the oversight. We are the "bosses" of the technology.
Safety & Responsibility: Starting the conversation early about digital boundaries and why we still need to think for ourselves.
Small Steps for Tomorrow
Dr. McGee shares some cool activities for introducing young learners to the ideas behind AI. Check out this simple paper plate activity (you could do this in just ten minutes) which teaches how AI learns things. To explore how AI creates things, Dr McGee suggests having students create a unique Play-Doh robot and seeing if AI can recreate it based on a prompt. You can even use this as an opportunity to discuss AI ethics (would it be okay if I used your creation without asking?).
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Are your students already asking questions about Alexa or "robots" that talk? How are you handling those "is it alive?" conversations?