I Spy AI ?! Critical Thinking in a Digital Age
Can you tell what's real and what's not? In this ongoing weekly class, we'll look critically at images for clues that indicate how to identify artificial intelligence in art - highlighting common ways to sniff out fakes. (photography)
Heidi Lathrem, MA: Homesteading/Farm & Video Games
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(595)
What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Learners can optionally create their own AI images to submit for the following class.Assessment
includedClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
This fun, lighthearted ongoing weekly class asks learners to carefully and critically examine digital images and identify (1) whether they've been created using AI, and (2) how they can tell whether AI created the images. A handful of fun, kid-friendly images will be used each class. Theme topics will rotate; keeping it fresh for ongoing learners, but also nice for a drop-in, drop-out class. What to expect: This is a highly interactive class for those who want to participate! Learners will be shown an image, and then given time to gather their own thoughts and form their own conclusions. After a few minutes, the class will come together to share their observations and discuss as a group. Group discussions will be done in turn, with learners either discussing their findings verbally, through annotation, or both. (Familiarity with the "annotate" function on Zoom is helpful, but not necessary for participation.) (OPTIONAL BONUS HOMEWORK): Outside class family follow-up opportunity! Grown-ups can use this class as a GREAT opportunity to help learners outside of class to familiarize them with how to safely and skillfully generate images using AI! Enrolled learners may submit their own AI-generated images for potential use in class! Images must be on theme and submitted more than 24 hours in advance of the next class. Only one image per learner may be submitted, and ultimate class use is at the teacher's discretion. Upcoming Themes: Week of September 30: Cute Critters Week of October 7: Minecraft Week of October 14: Harvest Time Week of October 21: The Pumpkin Patch Week of October 28: (not too scary!) Trick or Treat Week of November 4: Portraits Week of November 11: Landscapes Week of November 18: Turkey Time Week of November 25: Learner's Choice (US Thanksgiving week) Week of December 2: Artwork Forgeries Week of December 9: Winter Wonderlands Week of December 16: Christmas Chaos Week of December 30: New Year, New Pics Week of January 5: Back to School Week of January 12: Super Heroes Week of January 19: Farm Animals Week of January 26: Banana for Scale Have a theme suggestion? Send me a message. I'm happy to add your themes to the schedule!
Learning Goals
Learners will practice thinking critically about images presented to them; not only whether they are seeing reality, but how to spot the differences.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
It is strongly recommended that any and all AI image generation by learners (completely optional and outside of class time) is supervised by a grown-up. The potential to create images of literally ANYTHING (and the accidental creation of questionable content that sometimes happens) has a vast potential for abuse. As such, supervision and guidance are key! There will be no AI image generation during class time.
Pre-Requisites
None.
Language of Instruction
English (Level: A2)
Joined April, 2020
4.9
595reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bringing the practical to the digital.
Hello. My name is Heidi. I've been homesteading for two decades, and homeschooling as long as I've had a school-age kid. I think that learning happens both intentionally and experientially, and there is something to be said for serious indoor study, as well as having fun and just exploring the world.
I have been taking care of the family farm for more than 20 years; tending garden, orchard, a timber stand, and raising dairy goats, chickens, and waterfowl. My family started and operates a goat milk soap business and my husband creates and carves with a CNC he built and programmed himself.
In the dark and rainy US Pacific Northwest winters, we find enough down time for video gaming. Raised around some of the early home computers, the first game I fell in love with was Boulder Dash on the Commodore 64 - and I've been gaming ever since. Some of my favorite games are Stardew Valley, Slime Rancher, and Core Keeper; but our family currently has an extensive library of more than 3,000 game titles. I love to talk and play games, and learn about new ones, too!
I've been teaching for more than ten years, with extensive experience both in the classroom and online platforms, with students ranging from kindergarten through grad school. I have taught at private schools, college campuses, and homeschool co-ops. I have also taught virtually in both the master's of education and doctorate of education programs at Concordia University Online. In fact, as of 2024, I have taught well over 4,000 live online classes, reaching more than 3,800 unique students.
So come learn with me, whether your classroom has four walls or no walls. Let's have fun with Outschool!Reviews
Live Group Class
$10
weekly1x per week
25 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
2-8 learners per class
