But how do you effectively teach students to critically engage with AI? In this article, we share 5 active learning activities, each to achieve a different goal around AI.
Activity 1: idea line-up
Share a statement or yes/no question about, for example, the pros and cons, pitfalls or ethical dilemmas surrounding AI with your students. Then they can choose: to agree or disagree? They choose a side by physically moving to the left or right side of the room. Then engage the students in a discussion: why did they choose for or against? Do they want to switch places after the discussion?
The advantage of this activity is that it encourages the participation of all your students. The physical movement means that the student cannot be left behind and thus must make a choice and think for themselves. The actual movement also gives an energy boost and contributes to visual learning. Finally, the statements encourage open and critical conversation with students. Examples of statements are:
- "ChatGPT uses 2023 data."
- "Using AI has a negative impact on the environment."
- "Using ChatGPT for a course assignment is plagiarism."
- "AI will rival human creativity in the future."
- Do you think ChatGPT will affect the field of work for good or bad in the future?"
Activity 2: AI scavenger hunt
In groups, have students compare different texts on the same topic. These can be articles or current news items. At least one of the texts was generated by AI. Can students recognize the text created by AI? What are the differences and similarities with other texts? How reliable are all the different sources? Students will discuss this among themselves. Offer them the tools they can use to recognize unreliable sources. It is also possible to let the students create, figure out and/or generate their own texts by AI, so that the topic connects to their interests and thus increases their motivation.
Activity 3: reverse engineering
Give students a text, an authentic one or an AI generated text, and have them create a prompt that gives the most similar result. Make sure students have an AI tool available to test their prompt so they can revise and improve it each time. Students learn through play how AI generates output and what makes a good prompt. They also learn that the output of AI is only as good as the input it receives. Thus, students can better use AI tools themselves as they enter the work field.
Activity 4: misconception detective
Give a demonstration by presenting a statement to the students about which there are many misconceptions. Such as: "People use only ten percent of their brains." Then use ChatGPT to explore this statement. Ask questions to find out, among other things, the origin or scientific consensus on this topic. Involve students in this by having them come up with questions for ChatGPT. Have students think critically about the answers by discussing with them the reliability and possible origins of the sources ChatGPT uses.
After this classroom demonstration, it is time for students to practice on their own. Divide the students into small groups and give them a topic within their field, about which a lot of misinformation exists. Using ChatGPT itself, as well as other sources, they should research the facts and identify the misinformation. Conclude with a class reflection to share experiences and lessons learned. With this activity, students learn to think critically and recognize misinformation. In the process, they learn to deal responsibly with AI.
Activity 5: AI solution seeker
Divide students into groups of 3-4 and have them think of a realistic problem or situation within their field that requires a solution. The groups then go about finding the solution to their problem using an AI tool, such as ChatGPT. Optionally teach students ways to create good prompts first.
Students document the AI tool answers and formulate critical questions about the quality and usability of the solutions. Then each group gives a brief presentation on their findings. Finally, have them reflect in class on the experience, using questions such as: "How can AI contribute to problem solving within your field?" And: "What are the limitations of using AI?". This activity teaches students the digital skills to use AI to their advantage within their field while also understanding its limitations.