Artificial Intelligence Size-Up

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Since we have begun to understand how LLM like ChatGPT, we still are not sure how we are supposed to interact with it or if we even should.

Early Childhood

This would be K-2. The recommendation is that the child understands that the AI is not a person. I know that my children love to ask Alexa and Siri questions but often get frustrated when the AI does not respond in the way that they want. Having a supervised interaction that supports the child’s learning and allows them to understand that the AI can provide some value to there learning.

Upper Elementary

This age group is where the teacher or parent can begin to help the child understand the limitations of the AI. This is done by problem-solving. Having the child practice asking specific questions, and realizing that the AI does not provide only correct answers, or has limitations on answering them. Knowing what works and does not work with an AI will help the student understand the appropriate times to use it.

Junior High

A big stress here is on supervision, as parents we are aware of the changes that go on at this age and there will be some embarrassment over body changes and turning to AI to gain answers to these questions can be problematic. Making sure that preteens are accessing appropriate content is key.

Along with the big changes that go along with age group, this is also a good time to start developing critical thinking skills, Prothero, recommends that have the student use the AI to generate content and critique it. Just like in the previous age groups there needs to be an understanding of the limitations to prevent an overreliances on the AI.

High School

This is where the students really need to test the boundaries of the AI. I think this might be when they are more likely to over rely on the program. Having them understand that it is ok to question what the AI produces is an appropriate action. Have them engage their natural inclination towards skepticism.

Through out all levels of education it is important to provide supervision when students are using AI. Keep in mind that not every student will have the same access to AI and will have different feelings about it.

Remind students that AI does not actually produce anything, it copies or mimics the patterns that have been provided.