What is Generative AI?

Get a printable PDF of the lesson plan here.

Grade Level: 6th-12th Grade 
Time: 50 minutes 

Overview

This lesson will explore how AI works and the implications of the technology. Students will be challenged to think critically and collaborate on ideas for responsible use.

Learning Objectives

• Students will: 
  • Be able to explain what generative AI is and how it works.
  • Be able to discuss challenges with AI such as bias and misinformation.
  • Be able to think of a concept for an AI tool that can help with a real-world challenge.

Before You Watch

• Think, Pair & Share
  • Think: Students consider what they already know about AI.
  • Pair: Students pair up and share ideas and experiences with generative AI tools.
  • Share: Pairs share their insights with the class.

After You Watch

• After the first viewing, replay. Pause and discuss at the following points:
  • Pause #1 (Time: 01:06 ) – After the “Couch” example
    • Discussion Question:
      • Why do you think this design was created? What does this tell us about the way in which AI generates content? (Answer – An AI tool does not think like a human and does not create with logic and utility; it creates using patterns from its training data.) 
      • Teacher Note: Use this moment to introduce the purpose of predictive patterns and large language models (LLMs), which is explained at 01:09 in the video. 
  • Pause #2 (Time: 02:30) – After Explaining How AI Works
    • Discussion Question:
      • How does training data impact what AI generates? What is one example where this process could be helpful? (Answer – Training data shapes everything AI creates. One example is predictive text and spellcheck.)
      • Teacher Note: Ask students to think about how training data may impact predictive text on their phones or spellcheck. 
  • Pause #3 (Time: 02:55) – After the explanation of “tuning” AI
    • Discussion Question:
      • Why is tuning AI important? At what point in the process should someone consider tuning? (Answer – Tuning helps improve the output produced by AI, making it more precise, beneficial and aligned to user needs. Consider tuning when you continue to see errors, you have new data or you identify bias in the output.)
      • Teacher Note: Lead a conversation around understanding how tuning can make AI more accurate and useful.
  • Pause #4 (Time: 04:10) After the Timeline of AI’s Evolution
    • Discussion Question:
      • What are some of the things you use everyday that might have AI capabilities? Is there anything that has surprised you by having AI technology?
      • Teacher Note: Ask students to think about how AI has evolved into what it is today and how we might use the technology. 

Exit Ticket

• As a class discussion, ask students to consider what they have learned about generative AI. A few questions might be: 
  • What are some good things about AI? (Answer – It can help with speeding up workflows, it can make challenging tasks easier, it can help with creating ideas and brainstorming.)
  • What are some of the challenges it can create? (Answer – hallucinations, bias, unethical uses.)
  • What is one idea you have to solve those challenges? (Answer – Open answer for students.)

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

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.

Additional Suggested Standards:
NGSS MS-ETS1-1; HS-ETS1-4 (Engineering Design)

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.