Week 2: Concepts First – A Framework for Thinking with AI
Big Idea: Teaching AI isn’t about tools—it’s about thinking.
Why Concepts First?
As educators, it’s tempting to chase the latest technology trend—but when it comes to AI, the goal isn't to become tech experts. The goal is to help students think.
Concept-based learning gives us a powerful way to do that. Rather than teaching isolated facts or software, we center instruction around transferable, timeless ideas—like power, ethics, systems, and creativity. These ideas hold up whether you're analyzing ancient civilizations, writing poetry, or exploring how AI makes decisions.
AI Is More Than a Tool—It’s a Mirror
AI reflects the patterns it’s trained on. That includes our biases, our assumptions, and our blind spots.
This means AI isn’t a neutral tool. It’s a mirror of human systems. And that makes it the perfect subject for concept-driven inquiry.
When students explore AI through concepts, they can ask:
Power – Who creates AI? Who benefits? Who is left out?
Ethics – Is it okay to use AI for homework? What’s plagiarism in the age of automation?
Identity – Can AI understand culture or context? Should it?
Systems – How does AI process information, and how does that impact decision-making?
Essential Question of the Week
How can we use concepts to guide how we teach and learn with AI?
3 Ways to Start Teaching AI Through Concepts
1. Reframe a Tech Lesson with a Big Idea
Instead of: “Today we’re learning how to use a chatbot.”
Try: “Today we’re exploring how machines ‘learn’—and what that says about how humans learn too.”
Link a tech skill to a broader concept like learning, bias, or representation.
2. Use Visuals to Think Conceptually
Try projecting an AI-generated image (like one from DALL·E or Craiyon) and asking:
What choices did the AI make?
What cultural assumptions do you see?
What might be missing or misrepresented?
This sparks conversation around perspective, creativity, and context.
3. Build an AI Concept Map
Choose a central idea (like “fairness” or “innovation”) and have students build a concept map exploring how it connects to AI. This can become an anchor for discussions, research projects, or even ethical debates.
Classroom Snapshot: Concepts in Action
Last year, I asked students to think about the concept of authorship. We used ChatGPT to write a short story intro, then asked:
Who is the author here?
What makes writing “yours”?
If an AI writes something personal, is it still authentic?
The conversation was rich, philosophical, and empowering. Even students who typically hang back found a way in.
Resource Corner
🧠 Erickson & Lanning: Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction – A must-read if you’re designing concept-first units
🛠️ Day of AI – MIT – Try framing one of their free activities around a concept like responsibility or agency
📥 Want a concept-based lesson template for AI? Just let me know and I’ll share a customizable one!
Final Thought: Concepts Give Us Staying Power
AI tools will change. What students need to think about them won't.
By grounding our teaching in concepts, we equip learners not just to use tools—but to question them, improve them, and imagine better futures.
