In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Nneka McGee, strategic advisor and AI education expert, to explore how we can prepare young learners for an AI world through developmentally appropriate, unplugged learning experiences. You’ll also hear practical examples and simple conversation-based activities that help children build foundational AI literacy skills like pattern recognition, prediction, and critical thinking—without using generative AI tools. If you want to confidently introduce AI concepts to early childhood and elementary students in meaningful, age-appropriate ways, this episode has you covered!
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Tips for How to Prepare Young Students for an AI World
- Kids can learn core AI ideas through hands-on, unplugged activities without using generative tools.
- Not all AI experiences are age appropriate, so educators need to be intentional about activities.
- AI literacy connects naturally to computer science skills like patterns, classification, and prediction.
- Conversation is the fantastic starting point for helping young learners understand AI concepts.
This episode is sponsored by my new ASCD deck of cards, Purposeful EdTech Tips
This episode is sponsored by my new ASCD deck of cards, Purposeful EdTech Tips. It’s part of the QuickWins! series and packed with 50 fast, effective ideas for planning, teaching, and reflection. You’ll find AI prompts, student activities, teacher tips, and strategies for checking for understanding — all designed to help you use EdTech with purpose.
Whether you’re planning your next unit or looking for a quick idea before class starts, these cards are full of inspiration and super easy to use.
Head to ClassTechTips.com/cards to grab your deck today. Check it out here >>
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EPISODE RESOURCES
- Connect with Dr. Nneka McGee on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Dr. Nneka McGee’s work at MUON Global
- Find Dr. Nneka McGee’s QRG AI for Young Learners: Balancing Tech Use with Authentic, Off-Screen Experiences (Jump Start Guide)
- Read Press Start: AI in Early Education (ASCD blog post by Dr. Nneka McGee)
- ASCD: Professional Learning & Community for Educators
- What Teachers Should Know About AI and News Literacy with Dr. Cathy Collins (Podcast Episode)
- Writing Activities That Don’t Use AI (Blog Post)
- Unlocking Digital Literacy with Practical Classroom Strategies with Dr. Jenna Kammer and Dr. Lauren Hays (Podcast Episode)
- How to Build Future-Ready Skills with Hands-On Learning (Blog Post)
- 6 Books About AI for Kids (Blog Post)
