Unpacking the Black Box: Explaining Algorithms and AI Lesson Plan

Internet & Mobile
Privacy

Level: Grade 9 to 12

Duration: 3 1/2 – 4 hours

Author: Melissa Racine, Media Education Specialist, MediaSmarts

This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

Overview

In this lesson, students learn about algorithms and AI, how they work, how they impact our lives on the internet, and ethical considerations. The lesson begins with a class discussion on algorithms. Students will discuss how AIs reinforce real-world biases, the difficulties in identifying how AIs make decisions, what information algorithms use to make choices, and how that information impacts the types of decisions AIs make. Finally, students will demonstrate their knowledge by researching and designing an infographic on a field that uses algorithms to make decisions. This lesson aims to build critical thinking skills by examining how AI algorithms work, investigating the biases and impacts of AI decision-making, and reflecting on how the implications to their own lives.

Learning Outcomes

Big ideas/key concepts: Students will learn understand that... 

  • Media have social and political implications: 
  • Algorithms are used to make important decisions 
  • Algorithms reproduce and can intensify existing social biases and stereotypes
  • Media have commercial considerations: 
  • Companies optimize algorithms to keep users engaged
  • Digital media have unanticipated audiences: 
  • Data collected about us influences algorithmic decisions
  • Digital media experiences are shaped by the tools we use: 
  • How we use digital tools is influenced by algorithm design
  • Interactions through digital media have real impact: 
  • How we use platforms is influenced by algorithmic design 

Key questions: 

  • How do algorithms work?
  • How does generative artificial intelligence work?
  • How do algorithms and artificial intelligence affect our lives?
  • What can we do about it?

Frequent misconceptions to correct: 

  • Algorithms are “just math” and cannot be biased
  • We are only affected by data collection if platforms learn something specific about us

Essential knowledge: Students will learn... 

  • Reading media: How algorithms and generative AI work
  • Consumer awareness: How platforms use algorithms to keep users engaged
  • Community engagement: How algorithms can be biased and lead to unfair or unexplained decisions
  • Privacy and security: How data collected about us, and inferred based on collected data, can influence algorithmic decisions 

Performance tasks: Students will... 

  • Use: Create an informational media work
  • Understand: Analyze how algorithms and generative AI work
  • Engage: Evaluate the impacts of algorithms and generative AI on themselves and society

Click here to download the Unpacking the Black Box: Explaining Algorithms and AI slideshow

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.

Lesson Kit