Get a printable PDF of the lesson plan here.
Grade Level: 6th-12th grade
Time: 50 minutes
Overview
This lesson will teach students about ethical AI use. They will think about ways to identify responsible AI use and apply those understandings to their lives.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Explain the ethical usage of AI and the importance of using ethical principles.
- Determine responsible and irresponsible use of AI.
- Understand transparency, accuracy, ethical considerations regarding AI-generated content
- Be able to debate ethical dilemmas around using AI in the real world and suggest solutions.
Before You Watch
Discussion Questions:
- What are three reasons to be honest and responsible when using AI? (Answer – To build trust, to avoid issues at school or work, to utilize AI as a helper and not a replacement for critical thinking and creativity.)
- What can happen if people don’t disclose when they use generative AI? (Answer – People who see the material could feel tricked, misinformation can spread, an increase in poor quality outputs can occur (AI slop).)
While You Watch
Display these guiding questions while viewing the “Ethical Considerations in AI Usage” video and have students answer on a sheet of paper along the way.
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- What are three rules for using AI responsibly? (Answer – Be honest and transparent, only use the tool as a helper, always think about when to use AI and when not to.)
- Why should someone disclose the use of generative AI? (Answer – It’s responsible and ethical. It also helps with building trust.)
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- What is one way AI can be helpful and what is one way it can be harmful? (Answer – It can help with brainstorming. It can cause harm when its outputs go unchecked.)
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- A.I. Slop! Why should we be on the lookout for it? (Answer – AI slop is low-quality outputs that are misleading or harmful.)
- Why is fact-checking generative AI outputs important? (Answer – Hallucinations can occur. Fact-checking helps ensure accuracy.)
After You Watch/Exit Ticket
Ask students to pair up and discuss the answers to the questions they completed while watching the video.
As a class, discuss the following:
- Why would someone not want to disclose when they use AI? (Answer – Fear of being judged, loss of credibility, or fear of getting into trouble)
- Why is transparency important? (Answer – Builds trust and helps audiences evaluate accuracy of information)
- What ethical challenges might arise if someone uses generative AI? (Answer – Unknowingly spreading misinformation or deepfakes)
- Should generative-AI use be disclosed? Why or why not? (Answer – Yes, helps your audience better understand what is created by a human vs. what was generated by AI)
- What is one rule you think is most important for using AI responsibly? (Answer – Always disclose, use as a helper tool, fact-check everything it outputs)
Standards Alignment
Reading Informational Text:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4;
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4;
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4;
RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.4;
RI.11-12.1, RI.11-12.2, RI.11-12.4
Writing:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1b, W.6.2d, W.6.7;
W.7.1a-e, W.7.2a-b, W.7.7;
W.8.1a-c, W.8.2a-c, W.8.7;
W.9-10.1a-d, W.9-10.2a-d, W.9-10.7;
W.11-12.1a-c, W.11-12.2a-d
Speaking and Listening:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1a-d, SL.6.4;
SL.7.1a-d, SL.7.4;
SL.8.1b-d, SL.8.4;
SL.9-10.1a-d, SL.9-10.4;
SL.11-12.1b-d, SL.11-12.4
Language:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4, L.6.6;
L.7.4, L.7.6;
L.8.4, L.8.6;
L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6;
L.11-12.4, L.11-12.6
ISTE Standards for Students
ISTE 1.2 Digital Citizen
ISTE 1.3 Knowledge Constructor
Media Literacy Standards:
Analyze the role of AI in shaping online content.
Evaluate sources for credibility, transparency and accuracy.
These videos and lessons were developed by the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise and the Teen Fact-Checking Network in partnership with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. This partnership has been made possible through our collaboration with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
