Artificial intelligence curriculum for primary and secondary schools
AI in Informatics at the 1st level
Robots visiting the Technical Museum
What is and what is not AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Lessons 02
What is and what is not AI
Artificial intelligence is a computer program that is capable of performing tasks that previously required human ingenuity. It is invented by humans and they started doing it a long time ago - 70 years ago! What things is artificial intelligence hiding in and how do we know?
How the lesson works
The lesson begins with an introduction to the concept of artificial intelligence, as the children consider what it means, where they might encounter it, and how to recognize it. The robots Ju and Pi go to a technical museum where they encounter older technology such as a knitting machine, a calculator and an Atari games console, and wonder whether these machines are intelligent. The teacher leads a discussion about the differences between machines that use AI and those that merely perform pre-programmed tasks. Children work with worksheets to evaluate different technologies based on whether they react to their environment, learn new things, and use sensors. Then pupils compare devices such as self-driving cars, voice assistants and robot vacuum cleaners with simpler technologies such as calculators or microwaves. The lesson ends with a summary of findings and reflection, where children discuss the possibilities and ethical issues related to artificial intelligence.
Information about lessons
Subsidies and years
45-90 minutes, grades 3-5 Elementary school
Aids
Teacher: printed worksheet and presentation to show
Students: writing supplies
Building stones
Artificial intelligence, intelligent behaviour
What pupils learn
Some devices in everyday life use AI technology, others do not.
Why is it taught
Based on their understanding of the specifics of intelligent machines, they can find creative solutions to problems (long-term goal).
How do we know if they've learned
They will describe the differences between devices that use AI and those that do not. They will give specific examples of these.
Outputs of the RVP
Computer Science: Information Systems
I-5-3-02 records numeric and non-numeric data in an existing table or list for a defined problem
Digital competences
Contribution and development - understands the importance of digital technologies for human society, learns about new technologies, critically evaluates their benefits and reflects on the risks of their use.
Bloom's taxonomy
Understanding: Students describe the differences between devices with AI and without AI, explain how AI works, and identify examples of its use.
Application: Students apply what they have learned by completing tables and deciding which devices use AI based on defined characteristics.
Analysis: Students analyze device characteristics (e.g., responsiveness to the environment, use of sensors) and evaluate whether they meet the criteria for AI.
Five Big Ideas
1-B-I perception vs. processing
5-B-I AI in everyday life
