Lesson 257: Understand that some computers can learn (AI)

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. How Machines Think

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Objective

I can say that some computers can learn from patterns to help people. I can also say that computers do not have feelings and that people stay in charge.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Some computers can learn from patterns

A computer is a machine that can follow instructions. Some computers can also learn from patterns. Adults call this AI (artificial intelligence).

What does "learn from patterns" mean?

  • People show the computer many examples (like lots of cat pictures).
  • The computer practises noticing what is the same and what is different.
  • After practice, the computer can guess or sort new things more quickly.

Simple examples of computers that learn

  • A program that helps sort photos into "smiles" and "not smiles".
  • A voice helper that gets better at understanding how you say words.
  • A game that gets harder after you play well for a while.

What computers that learn cannot do

  • They do not have real feelings.
  • They do not have their own wishes.
  • They do not know everything about the world.

People are still the boss

  • People decide what jobs the computer practises.
  • People choose the rules and check if the answers are fair.
  • People can say "Stop" and turn the computer off.

Good ways to use computers that learn

  • For learning: practice letters, numbers, or languages.
  • For helping: reading text aloud or suggesting songs you might like.
  • With adults nearby: they help choose safe, fair tools.

Adults can say: "Some computers can learn from patterns, but they do not have feelings. They are tools, and we are in charge."

Picture strip: "Learning helper computer"

Guided Practice — "Can it learn?" sort

You and an adult will sort things into can learn and cannot learn.

  1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "Can learn" and the other side "Cannot learn".
  2. Think of different things together, such as: "a child", "a cat", "a smart computer program", "a rock", "a chair". Add any ideas your child has.
  3. Decide where each one goes. Put people, pets, and smart programs that practise in the "Can learn" column.
  4. Put things like rocks, spoons, or plain boxes in the "Cannot learn" column.
  5. Circle the things that are computers or programs. Talk about how they learn from patterns but do not have feelings.
  6. Practise saying: "Some computers can learn from patterns, but people are still in charge."
  7. Add one small picture to show a person checking the computer's work. Label it "People check answers."
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "Some computers learn from patterns, but people stay in charge."

Practice — My smart helper that learns

Use this practice to help your child imagine a kind, safe helper that learns from patterns.

  1. On a new page, help your child draw a smart helper computer or robot.
  2. Around it, draw or write three things it can learn from, such as: "music I like", "words I say", "pictures I show it".
  3. Next to each thing, add a little symbol to show the pattern, such as: notes for music, speech bubbles for words, or tiny pictures.
  4. Under the helper, write or trace a short sentence such as: "This helper learns patterns to help me."
  5. At the bottom of the page, add another sentence: "People are still in charge." Draw a small person checking the helper's screen.
  6. Read the page together. Ask: "How does this helper learn?" and "How do people stay the boss?"
  7. Place the drawing somewhere visible and remind your child: "Smart computers are tools that learn from patterns. We decide how to use them."

Quick Check — Some computers can learn (AI)

Answer each question about computers that learn from patterns and who is in charge.

1) What does it mean when a computer can learn from patterns?

Computers that learn practise with data to spot patterns and make guesses.

2) Which is a good example of a computer that learns?

Voice helpers improve by learning from how people speak.

3) What do adults call computers that can learn from patterns?

AI is a short way to say artificial intelligence.

4) Which sentence is true?

Even smart computers do not have feelings or their own wishes.

5) Who decides what jobs a learning computer practises?

People choose the jobs and give the examples for AI to learn from.

6) Which is a helpful way to use computers that learn?

AI tools can be helpful for learning when used safely with adults.

7) A program suggests songs you might like after you listen to many songs. What is it doing?

It uses patterns from your choices to suggest new songs.

8) Who can say "Stop" and turn a learning computer off?

People are in charge and can turn devices off.

9) Which list shows who can learn from experiences?

Living things and some smart programs can learn; objects like rocks cannot.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

We want children to see AI as a helpful tool that people guide.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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