Active learning ideas
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming the digital landscape. In this topic, Year 12 students move beyond the hype to understand the underlying mechanics of neural networks and training datasets. They explore how ML models learn from patterns in data rather than following explicit, hard-coded instructions. This aligns with the ACARA focus on emerging technologies and their impact on society.
Activity 01
Students act as 'neurons' in different layers. They pass 'signals' (numbers) to each other, applying simple weights (multiplication). They must collectively 'classify' an input image, adjusting their weights based on whether the final answer was correct.
How is automation reshaping the Australian workforce?
Activity 02
Groups are given a dataset used to train a fictional AI (e.g., for job hiring). They must identify missing demographics or skewed data points and predict how this bias will manifest in the AI's decisions.
What ethical frameworks are required for autonomous vehicles?
Activity 03
Students are given three problems (e.g., calculating tax, recognising a cat, playing chess). They must decide if each is better solved with traditional 'if-then' logic or a machine learning model, justifying their choice to a partner.
How might AI change the daily practice of engineering?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
AI 'thinks' like a human brain.
AI uses mathematical patterns and statistics, not consciousness. A 'Human Neural Network' simulation helps students see that it's just a series of calculations and weight adjustments, not 'thinking'.
AI is always objective and neutral.
AI reflects the biases of its training data. A hands-on activity where students train an image recogniser with limited data (e.g., only green apples) helps them see how the AI 'fails' when it encounters a red apple.
Methods used in this brief
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Trace the history of biomedical engineering and its impact on public health and longevity. Discuss the ethical boundaries of human enhancement and genetic modification.
8 methodologies
Smart Cities and Urban Planning
Analyse the evolution of urban engineering and the concept of 'smart cities'. Evaluate how data-driven infrastructure impacts citizen privacy and urban sustainability.
8 methodologies