AI Literacy Skills 101 Course

Lesson 6: Collaborating with AI

Lesson overview

In this lesson, students will explore what it means to collaborate with AI. They’ll consider when AI is helpful, when it might not be, and how to stay in charge of their own thinking and creativity. Using the SAMR: AI Edition tool, students will evaluate different ways to use AI, from simple fixes to creative partnerships, and reflect on what makes a meaningful collaboration.

• As a teacher, watch the Collaborating with AI video independently first.
• As a class, watch the video.
• Complete Exercise 6: Try the SAMR tool to map out how you’re using AI and reflect on whether it’s helping you grow or just doing the work for you.

Lesson objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

● Describe different ways AI can support your work
● Reflect on how you collaborate with AI in your learning
● Use the SAMR: AI Edition tool to decide how and when to use AI effectively

Video 6: Collaborating with AI

Exercise 6: SAMR Collaboration Bus Stops

Lesson resources:

• SAMR Poster

Step 1: Introduce the Assignment
The teacher shares an upcoming assignment or project that all students will complete. This could be a writing task, a presentation, a science report, or any task where AI might be used as support.

Step 2: Set Up Bus Stops
Create four “bus stop” stations around the room, one for each level of the SAMR: AI Edition tool:

• S = Simple Help
• A = A Little Better
• M = Make It Together
• R = Really New
  

Each bus stop is a small poster that includes:

• A short description of the assignment
• A summary of the SAMR level (from the student handout)
• A space for students to write or stick ideas

Step 3: Rotate and Brainstorm
Students rotate in small groups to each station. At each bus stop, they brainstorm and write down ways a student might use AI at that level to support the assignment. For students under 13, be clear that only school-approved AI tools or teacher-supported AI use cases should be included. 

Step 4: Class Discussion
Come back together as a class and discuss ideas from each stop. Discuss which AI uses feel helpful, creative, or appropriate, and which ones feel like they cross a line.

• Which parts of the assignment should be done without AI?
• How might AI help?

Step 5: Create Essential Agreements
As a class, draft a short list of essential agreements for how and when AI can be used for this assignment.

Teacher Reflection: 

• What surprised you about your students’ ideas about AI use?
• How could you be more clear with students about acceptable use throughout the assignment?

What’s next

In lesson 7, we will explore Communicating AI Use, with a focus on transparently sharing how and when we used AI in the process.

We will talk about the importance of sharing how AI shaped our thinking and final product.