Learning Affects Trust: Design Recommendations and Concepts for Teaching Children -- and Nearly Anyone -- about Conversational Agents
Project Overview
The document examines the role of generative AI, specifically conversational agents (CAs), in educational settings, particularly through K-12 workshops designed to enhance students' understanding of AI technology. It emphasizes the significance of teaching children not only about the functionality of CAs but also about the appropriate levels of trust they should place in these technologies. The findings indicate that educational interventions can successfully shift participants' perceptions and trust levels regarding CAs, suggesting that a well-structured curriculum is essential for demystifying the complexities of conversational AI for younger audiences. Overall, the document highlights the potential of generative AI in education as a tool for fostering critical thinking and informed engagement with technology among students.
Key Applications
K-12 workshops teaching concepts of conversational AI using ConvoBlocks.
Context: K-12 education for children aged 9-18, including workshops involving both children and parents.
Implementation: Workshops were conducted virtually over Zoom, involving hands-on activities where participants created conversational agents and discussed societal impacts.
Outcomes: Participants reported changes in trust towards CAs, an increased understanding of how CAs function, and an improved ability to critically evaluate information provided by CAs.
Challenges: Participants found concepts like training, turn-taking, and terminology to be challenging to learn.
Implementation Barriers
Educational
Lack of pedagogical materials specifically focused on conversational AI.
Proposed Solutions: Development of comprehensive curricula and teaching frameworks for conversational AI that can be adapted for different audiences.
Cultural
Differences in perceptions of trust and competence between participants from WEIRD vs. non-WEIRD countries.
Proposed Solutions: Tailor educational interventions to address cultural differences and ensure a more inclusive approach to CA education.
Technical
Limited resources available for teaching about conversational AI, particularly in K-12 education.
Proposed Solutions: Collaborate with organizations like AI4K12 and Code.org to create and disseminate teaching materials.
Project Team
Jessica Van Brummelen
Researcher
Mingyan Claire Tian
Researcher
Maura Kelleher
Researcher
Nghi Hoang Nguyen
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Jessica Van Brummelen, Mingyan Claire Tian, Maura Kelleher, Nghi Hoang Nguyen
Source Publication: View Original PaperLink opens in a new window
Project Contact: Dr. Jianhua Yang
LLM Model Version: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18
Analysis Provider: Openai