Navigating AI Safely

Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 2 students
Unit: Navigating AI Safely (Lesson 4 of 4)
Age group: Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)
Subject: PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand and apply best practices for using AI safely and responsibly.
• Identify and critically assess misinformation generated by AI tools.
• Demonstrate enhanced digital literacy skills relating to AI.
• Articulate informed views on ethical AI use and future AI developments.
• Explore ways to advocate for ethical AI use within their communities.

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Curriculum Links

• PSHE Association Programme of Study (KS3):
  • Living in the wider world: Recognising online risks and how to manage them safely.
  • Health and wellbeing: Developing digital literacy and coping with misinformation to support mental and social wellbeing.
  • Economic wellbeing and careers: Understanding emerging technologies and their societal impacts.
• Computing Programmes of Study (National Curriculum KS3):
  • Develop understanding of digital systems and increasing knowledge of algorithms and logic, including AI applications.
• British Values: Encouraging responsible citizenship by promoting ethical awareness around technology use.

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Resources Needed

• Interactive whiteboard or tablet for digital presentations
• Printed or digital “AI Safety Best Practices” checklist
• Scenario cards with examples of AI-generated misinformation or ethical dilemmas
• Role-play cue cards for advocacy debate
• Digital literacy self-assessment handouts
• Whiteboard/flipchart and markers

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes)

Warm-up discussion:

• Ask students to share any experience with AI tools (chatbots, voice assistants, recommendation algorithms).
• Briefly recap key points from previous lessons, reinforcing concepts about AI bias, data privacy, and potential risks already covered.

Engagement activity:

• Show a short, dynamic slide containing headlines mixed with true and AI-generated fake news. Students quickly vote (thumbs up/down or digital polling) on whether they believe the headline is real or fake and explain their reasoning.

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Main Teaching Activity (35 minutes)

Part 1: Best Practices for Safe AI Use (15 minutes)

• Present “Top 7 AI Safety Best Practices”:

  1. Verify sources and information, cross-check facts.
  2. Understand data privacy settings and permissions on AI tools.
  3. Question AI output – AI can be biased or inaccurate.
  4. Keep passwords and sensitive information safe.
  5. Report suspicious or harmful AI outputs.
  6. Use AI tools ethically, respecting others’ privacy and consent.
  7. Regularly update software to avoid security vulnerabilities.

• Using the interactive whiteboard, collaboratively complete an AI safety checklist tailored to personal usage scenarios.

Part 2: Misinformation and Critical Thinking (10 minutes)

• Present 3 different short AI-generated scenarios (e.g., news snippet, social media post, chatbot conversation).
• Students work together to identify red flags for misinformation, biases, or ethical concerns using a guided worksheet.
• Discuss as a pair to promote critical digital literacy.

Part 3: Future Outlook & Advocacy Role Play (10 minutes)

• Facilitate a role-play debate: Students take turns advocating for safe and ethical AI use in their community/school.
  • One student argues for the importance of AI for social good and innovation.
  • The other focuses on ethical cautions and safety measures.
• Encourage use of persuasive language and evidence from lessons.
• Reflect on how students might lead peer education or community awareness campaigns about AI safety.

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Plenary (10 minutes)

Review and Reflect:

• Complete a quick self-assessment quiz on digital literacy and AI safety best practices (true/false, short answer).
• Discuss: "What is one thing you will do differently when using AI?"
• Teacher summarises key takeaways and invites students to set a personal goal for responsible AI use.

Homework / Extension:

• Students research a recent news story about AI ethics or misuse and prepare a 1-minute summary with their thoughts, to share in a future PSHE session or school assembly.

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Differentiation

• With only 2 students, activities can be personalised with targeted questioning.
• For students who are more advanced digitally, challenge them to create their own misinformation detection checklist.
• Support offered through guided questioning and scaffolded worksheets for students needing additional help assessing AI output reliability.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Ongoing formative assessment through discussion contributions and checklists.
• Self-assessment quiz to gauge understanding of AI best practices.
• Observation during role-play and scenario analysis to identify depth of ethical engagement.
• Written reflections and self-set goals used to inform progress and future planning in PSHE digital literacy modules.

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Teacher Notes & Tips

• Emphasise the importance of respectful discussion during debates, modelling British values of mutual respect and tolerance.
• Use real-world AI examples (e.g., popular chatbots, social media filters) to ground abstract concepts.
• Encourage students to think proactively about how they can influence AI culture positively within their peer groups.
• Highlight that AI tools are evolving – ongoing learning and awareness are vital.
• Consider integrating quick interactive tech tools (e.g., Kahoot, Padlet) if available for polls or quizzes to enhance engagement.

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This lesson concludes the "Navigating AI Safely" unit by blending knowledge, critical thinking, and community action—empowering young people to be savvy, ethical users and advocates of AI technology.