Technologies · Year 5

Active learning ideas

The Future of Automation and AI

Active learning works well for this topic because students need to weigh complex ideas like efficiency versus ethics, and debate and role-play help them process abstract concepts in concrete ways. Hands-on tasks also allow them to see how AI systems make decisions, which builds critical analysis skills they can apply beyond the classroom.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9TDI6K01
• AC9TDI6P04

• 25–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Expert Panel
• 45 min · Small Groups

Debate Carousel: AI Benefits vs Risks

Divide class into small groups to prepare two-minute arguments for or against AI replacing jobs in sectors like farming or teaching. Groups rotate to new stations to present and rebut. Conclude with a class vote and reflection on strongest points.

Compare the benefits and risks of AI performing human tasks.

Facilitation Tip

During the Debate Carousel, assign clear roles (e.g., moderator, timekeeper) to keep discussions structured and inclusive for all students.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine a robot could perform your future job. What are two benefits and two risks of this happening?' Guide students to consider efficiency, cost savings, job security, and the need for human connection or creativity.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Expert Panel
• 35 min · Pairs

Ethical Dilemma Role-Play: Machine Limits

Assign pairs roles like AI designer, worker, or patient to act out scenarios, such as AI in elderly care. Pairs discuss and vote on whether to implement, then share justifications with the class. Record key ethical reasons on a shared chart.

Justify ethical considerations for tasks machines should not perform.

Facilitation Tip

In the Ethical Dilemma Role-Play, provide scenario cards with conflict prompts so students practice defending multiple perspectives, not just their own viewpoint.

What to look for

Ask students to write down one global challenge (e.g., climate change, poverty) and one specific way AI could help solve it. Then, ask them to list one ethical concern related to using AI for this solution.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Expert Panel
• 50 min · Small Groups

Future Vision Posters: Global Challenges

In small groups, students select a challenge like bushfires or food scarcity, sketch AI solutions, and label benefits, risks, and ethics. Groups present posters, predicting changes to work and life. Class compiles into a 'Future Tech Gallery'.

Predict how AI can contribute to solving global challenges.

Facilitation Tip

For Future Vision Posters, set a 15-minute timer to keep the activity focused while ensuring students have time to research and illustrate their ideas.

What to look for

Present students with a scenario, such as an AI system deciding loan applications. Ask them to identify one potential bias in the AI's decision-making process and explain why it is an ethical concern.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: Predict Daily Life

Individually brainstorm three ways AI changes home or school routines. Pairs discuss and combine ideas, then share with whole class. Teacher facilitates connections to ethics and global impacts.

Compare the benefits and risks of AI performing human tasks.

Facilitation Tip

In Think-Pair-Share, model how to paraphrase a partner’s point before responding to scaffold equitable participation.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Imagine a robot could perform your future job. What are two benefits and two risks of this happening?' Guide students to consider efficiency, cost savings, job security, and the need for human connection or creativity.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should start by framing AI as a tool designed by humans, not an independent force, to avoid deterministic thinking. Use real-world examples, like AI in healthcare or climate monitoring, to ground abstract ideas in familiar contexts. Avoid overwhelming students with technical details; focus instead on the societal impacts and ethical trade-offs. Research shows that when students role-play ethical dilemmas, they develop empathy and critical thinking simultaneously, which is more effective than lecture alone.

Successful learning looks like students explaining both benefits and risks of AI with evidence, justifying ethical boundaries using real-world examples, and predicting impacts on daily life with logical reasoning. They should also demonstrate respectful listening and collaborative problem-solving during discussions.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Debate Carousel, watch for students who assume AI will replace all jobs without considering new roles like AI trainers or supervisors.

  Use the Debate Carousel to guide students to research and cite examples of new jobs created by automation, such as roles in AI maintenance or ethical oversight, to shift the focus from loss to adaptation.

• During Ethical Dilemma Role-Play, watch for students who believe AI systems make flawless decisions because they are programmed by experts.

  In the role-play, provide scenarios with clear data flaws (e.g., biased training sets) and ask students to identify how human choices in programming led to those errors, emphasizing the need for human oversight.

• During Future Vision Posters, watch for students who assume ethical outcomes are automatic once AI systems are designed.

  Use the poster activity to have students include explicit ethical boundaries they would set, such as rules for data privacy or limits on AI use in caregiving, to reveal the human role in shaping ethics.

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Methods used in this brief

• Expert Panel
• Think-Pair-Share