Lesson 241: Identify machines that can think and learn

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section A — Smart machines and computers

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Objective

I can notice some machines that can think and learn in simple ways, and I can say that people still make the rules and stay in charge.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What are machines that can think and learn?

A machine is something that uses power to help us do work. A smart machine can follow rules and sometimes learn from patterns.

Everyday machines

  • Some machines have one job, like a toaster or a simple fan.
  • They do the same thing every time when we press the button.

Smart helper machines

  • Some machines can follow many rules and use data, like a tablet, a smart speaker, or a robot vacuum.
  • They can notice patterns, like when people usually play music or what path to clean.

Thinking and learning (in machine style)

  • Machines do not feel feelings like people.
  • When we say they "think", we mean they follow many rules very fast.
  • When we say they "learn", we mean they change their rules from the data they see.

Who is in charge?

  • People design smart machines.
  • People give them rules and training.
  • People can turn them off or change the rules.

Where do we see smart machines?

  • On phones and tablets (for example, picture sorters or voice helpers).
  • In homes (for example, robot vacuums or smart lights).
  • In cities (for example, traffic lights that change with cars).

Using smart machines safely

  • We ask a trusted adult before talking to a new smart helper.
  • We do not share private details like full name or address with machines.
  • We remember that a machine is a helper tool, not a boss.

Adults can say: "Some machines can think and learn in their own way, but people still design them, check them, and make the rules."

Picture strip: "Smart helper machines"

Guided Practice — Spot the smart helper machine

You and an adult will look at simple pictures or real objects and decide which ones are smart helper machines that can think and learn.

  1. On a page, draw two big boxes. Label one box "One job" and the other box "Smart helper".
  2. Look around your home or classroom (or use picture cards). Choose things like a toaster, robot vacuum, tablet, lamp, fan, or smart speaker.
  3. For each object, ask: "Does it only do one job, or can it follow many rules and learn from patterns?"
  4. If it has mostly one simple job (like a toaster or simple fan), draw or glue it in the One job box.
  5. If it can follow many rules, use apps, or change from data (like a tablet or robot vacuum), draw or glue it in the Smart helper box.
  6. After placing the objects, say a sentence like: "Smart helper machines can follow many rules, but people still make the rules."
  7. Circle one smart helper machine and talk about how it helps people in daily life.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "Smart machines follow rules made by people."

Practice — My smart helper search

Use this practice to help your child notice smart helper machines that can think and learn in daily life.

  1. On a new page, draw three rows and label them: "Home", "Outside", and "Screen".
  2. In the Home row, help your child draw or write one smart helper machine from home (for example, robot vacuum, tablet, smart speaker).
  3. In the Outside row, draw or write one smart helper they might see outside (for example, traffic lights, ticket machine, or bus sign that changes).
  4. In the Screen row, draw or write one smart helper inside a screen (for example, picture sorter, voice helper, or simple game that gets harder).
  5. Next to each picture, add a small note: "follows rules" or "learns patterns" in simple words.
  6. Read the page together and say: "These smart helpers can think and learn in their own way, but people made them."
  7. Ask your child to circle one smart helper and answer: "How does this machine help people?"

Quick Check — Machines that can think and learn

Answer each question about smart helper machines, thinking and learning, and who is in charge.

1) What is a machine?

Machines are tools that help us do jobs.

2) Which is a smart helper machine?

Smart helpers can follow many rules and use data.

3) What does it mean when a machine "thinks"?

Machines think by following rules, not by having feelings.

4) What does it mean when a machine "learns"?

Learning for machines means changing from patterns in data.

5) Who designs smart helper machines?

People are the ones who create and train smart machines.

6) Which machine can think and learn more like a smart helper?

Robot vacuums can use patterns to move around a room.

7) Who is in charge of smart helper machines?

People stay in charge of machines, not the other way around.

8) What is a safe choice when using a new smart helper app or game?

Adults can help keep technology use safe and healthy.

9) Which sentence is true?

Smart machines help, but they do not have feelings or morals.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

We want children to see how smart machines work and who guides them.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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