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I love Ellen Downs idea of using a familiar image of the Burren and using them to discuss both the credibility of AI and also the extent to which it can really be quite excellent. There is no doubt about the usefulness of AI and the extent of which it has improved in recent years. I think it could really surprise children to learn what is real and what is AI generated. Hopefully by doing so it will highlight to children the importance of always questioning and checking your sources.
I think one of the main issues with AI is our dependency on it. That we accept suggestions from AI without much thought or consideration, that it does our thinking for us and we lose the ability to think critically.
I think therefore it is hugely important to explicitly teach skills of critical thinking, checking sources and always checking over the credibility of AI. This would be how I would introduce AI into the classroom.
My idea would be to look at a series of statements and pictures and try to determine which are real and which are AI. What are the tell tale signs that it is in fact computer generated and what makes it real? How can you tell the difference?
By incorporating images and statements that could easily be taken as real, it will highlight to children the importance of always questioning and checking information and sources. This is a skill that could also transfer to history lessons where you have to check sources and check for accuracy.
We will focus on the language needed in order to carry out such a discussion and children will have to come up with arguments for and against opinions regarding the statements or images. Children will learn the skills of debate and vocalising their thinking. They can work in groups in order to help the collaborative nature of the lesson.
Once we check the source of the statement or image at the end, it will provide learning and awareness of the need for this kind of thinking when engaging in any activity online.
I really like Emma Fitzpatrick’s lesson review on Fantastic Fairgrounds. It is a way of really opening up children’s minds to the power and possibilities of AI. It shows the importance of having skills to understand, evaluate and utilise AI technology in a safe and effective way. Again, there is a focus on critical thinking, which is an excellent skill to have in all walks of life. As with Bad Connections, it also gives real world ethical dilemmas and scenarios which opens up discussions and reflections on the topic that can be quite useful.
As this is an extremely new topic, it is very relevant and important to teach and gain understanding of the concepts. Children will grow up in a world more and more influenced by AI. It will take over jobs that are currently in existence. Children will need to have knowledge of this area. I would also like to explore this topic with my kids and I think Emma for highlighting it in her post. Some excellent points made. Bualadh bos.
In the coming year I would like to focus on the Digital Learning Framework and strengthening my own response to this area in the classroom. It is important not just to use technology as a fun starter or early finisher task but to really incorporate and embed it into the teaching and learning within the classroom.
I am lucky to be in a school that has interactive whiteboards in every class, as well as a full class set of iPads that can be monitored by the teacher and also a few laptops in each classroom. Whilst we do already use them quite frequently in day to day classes, I wish to take that even further in the coming year.
I love the concept of computational thinking and I can see how that would appeal to children in today’s world who are more and more in tune with technology. I like the ideas of sequencing and checking for bugs and see how this process could be applied to other areas. We are always telling children to check over their work and now they can see what would happen if they don’t. In a way that is real and tangible for them.
I also hope to encourage children to become more responsible online global citizens and ensure they are safe online. I think this should always be the starting point and most basic lesson before carrying out any other lessons online and it is something I try to do with every class I teach. Education is power.
For the purpose of this module I chose to look at the lesson plan for Minecraft Education called Bad Connection. I think this is an excellent topic and first place to start when teaching children about online education and using online tools in lessons.
Technology is very much a part of everyday life and can be an excellent resource when used in the right ways. I love how this lesson gives children different scenarios in order to get them thinking about what they would do. Children are encouraged to think critically and read between the lines in certain situations. It also tells children what they should do if they encounter such a situation online, which is all too common unfortunately. And it also encourages children to always tell an adult and ensure they are being open and honest about their activities online.
This could be easily lined to a Wellbeing lesson on asking for help, bullying, cyber bullying and online safety. I love how this lesson contains activities, scenario cards, letter to incorporate parents into discussions, slideshows, exit tickets, pre/post knowledge check and even relates to standards which can be easily translated to our own curriculum.
Everything is done for you here in order to present a nice block of memorable lessons, using a familiar tool of Minecraft, which will equip children with lessons that will last a lifetime.
I think it is so important to normalize these discussions, not just in school but also with parents at home. It it vitally important that teachers are aware of children’s activities online while in the classroom and likewise for parents at home. This game leads itself to questions and create this vital discussion. Online actions have real consequences and children need to be aware of the dangers while also getting experience online and becoming confident, capable digital citizens. We all have a responsibility to behave appropriately in public, as well as online.
The lesson focuses on building children’s understanding of online safety and digital citizenship. It includes many opportunities for discussion and reflection for the children about their own online behaviour. One thing I particularly liked was how it can be used to start a conversation with children about their online activities without feeling like a lecture. I also really like that the game highlights the importance of reporting unsafe online interactions, and I think the lesson does a great job of making this seem ok and not as big deal.
I would use the world mostly as it is. I would start with the Minecraft game first rather than influence the children and have them tell me what they think I want to hear. I would then pause after each act and discuss what each child experienced and to share openly. As the younger classes are on the slightly less mature side, I would slow the process down and perhaps break into days than a whole devoted session. I think pupils would benefit from talking about real-life situations and working together to create a class internet safety agreement afterwards. I would also involve their parents and tie this in with an online safety talk for parents so that the discussion can continue at home within the family. Parents need to be more aware of children’s activities online and ensure that there is a clear and open line of communication.
I really enjoyed Aoife Moore’s idea and game title Donut Mess With Me! Perhaps consider patenting the name! Children would enjoy the idea of donuts as a reward and I can really see the appeal.
As constructive criticism, I would question if it promotes healthy eating and maybe suggest adding some type of fruit or veg in order to get bonus points? It’s all about balance after all!
In saying this, I think it is a great idea. Very imaginative and one which children would respond well to. Well done Aoife.
https://makecode.com/_045iUUKVb04T
This is the link for my game which I named Leprechaun. It is a simple game in which Larry Leprechaun has to collect flowers in order to gain a score. I purposely left the score at higher numbers to encourage children to practice their larger number skills.
In this game the focus would be language and I would use the Gaeilge feature of the programme as I work in a Gaelscoil. Children would have to think of vocabulary related to the topics of the game for example Cúlra, Suíomh, Caractar, Bogadh, Bia, Rialacha, etc.
As I teach younger years I would keep game design quite simple and focus on learning outcomes. I would scaffold and show example games and step by step instructions for creating games. Children would understand relevant vocabulary through the context of game and visual explanations. I think this would appeal to many learners and children would enjoy the play aspect of this type of lesson.
I like the idea of linking coding to visual arts by including things like animations. Using the moving dog animation is a great way of getting children interested and engaged in the process. Even if coding is not their thing. It encourages children to engage in computational thinking in order to create an outcome they would enjoy. They will engage in planning, building, testing, debugging and sharing projects in order to create something real and tangible on their online stimulator. Which again appeals the the visual learner.
Children may have to create their own pets, or imaginary ones. This could be linked to their literacy lessons then where they have to write a story about the character they created. They have to give the character a name and a personality and so their learning becomes real and purposeful.
https://makecode.microbit.org/_9goiPi2bMHCh
This is the link to the micro:bit code I made having looked at the tutorial on MakeCode. I chose the Dice tutorial as I reckoned it would be quite a fun, simple place to start and also something practical that could be used for a Maths lesson then once created.
As I have very little experience with coding I was surprised how simple and easy it was. I think this could even be used in classes younger than 3rd class which was the recommendation. Children are becoming more and more computer literate, I think these processes will make sense to them. Having the online stimulator makes it more accessible for all and a real visual aid in the learning process. We are always telling children to check their work and the debug aspect of this programme creates a great habit and we know children learn by doing and from their own mistakes.
I love to use dice in maths lessons to help children practice their tables and by having this online aspect to lesson, it makes it more fun and accessible for children. You could extend lesson by adding higher numbers or lower numbers depending on child’s capabilities. Without children even noticing. I think this is an excellent tool, that equips children with new way of thinking and learning that is more relevant to the modern world they will grow up in.
I agree with your observation of how important it is to meet every child’s individual needs through differentiation. This is essential in our classroom today and technology can help us do so. It is also great that you are focussing on something you are already doing and comfortable with and simply extending it by introducing computational thinking language to consolidate what you are already doing is an excellent place to start. This course focuses on making it manageable for teachers who already have so much to focus on and makes it very manageable to implement these ideas in a practical way in their classrooms.
As I work in a Gaelscoil I think your idea of a word wall and visual display is excellent and would work well also in my own setting. Concepts and vocabulary in this area are new in whatever language you are using and this is an excellent way of focusing on developing this area. We use this idea in order to build general vocab as Gaeilge, but using it for a specific subject as Gaeilge is a great idea. Children are growing up with these ideas and it will be part of their future. Therefore it is so important we prepare them for their future.
