Exploring AI Literacy Through Interactive Museum Exhibits: According to Long et al., 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept confined to sci-fi movies; it is an integral part of our daily lives, influencing everything from social media algorithms to smart home devices. However, understanding AI and its impact remains a challenge for many, especially young learners. Recognizing this, a team of researchers from Northwestern University and the Georgia Institute of Technology is pioneering a creative approach to foster AI literacy among children. Their innovative project transforms at-home learning activity boxes into engaging museum exhibits, making AI education accessible and enjoyable.
The Genesis: Knowledge Net and Creature Features
Initially developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Knowledge Net and Creature Features activity boxes were designed for family groups to explore AI concepts at home. These activities aimed to demystify AI by allowing participants to interact with fundamental AI principles in a tangible way. Knowledge Net enabled learners to build semantic networks using tiles and arrows, representing how AI organizes knowledge. Creature Features introduced the basics of machine learning by letting participants create training datasets to classify different bird species.
The Transition: From Home to Museum
Building on the success of these activity boxes, the research team is now adapting them into large-scale museum exhibits. This transition involves several key considerations to enhance the learning experience:
Centering Learner Interests: The exhibits are being tailored to align with the interests and concerns of middle-school students. By conducting focus groups, the team aims to incorporate topics that resonate with young learners, such as hobbies and popular culture, making the exhibits more engaging.
Generating Personally Meaningful Outputs: Creativity is a powerful tool in education. The exhibits will allow learners to create artifacts that are personally meaningful, such as stories or music playlists generated by AI models. This approach not only makes learning fun but also fosters a deeper connection with the material.
Incorporating Embodiment and Collaboration: Moving beyond individual learning, the museum exhibits are designed to facilitate group collaboration and physical interaction. This can involve tangible interfaces or full-body interactives, encouraging learners to engage with AI concepts in a hands-on, embodied manner.
The Exhibit Designs
The proposed exhibit designs reflect these goals. Here are a few highlights:
Interactive Touchscreen Table: A tangible touchscreen tabletop paired with a wall projection will allow groups of learners to manipulate AI concepts collaboratively. This setup can be used for activities like building semantic networks or creating training datasets, making the learning process highly interactive and visual.
Creative Storytelling: For Knowledge Net, one design involves allowing learners to draw their own concept tiles and feed them into a machine that generates a story based on their network. This helps demystify how AI compiles information and demonstrates its capabilities in a creative context.
3D Figurine Classification: In Creature Features, learners can use 3D figurines with NFC bases to create datasets for training AI models. This physical interaction simplifies the concept of data training and classification, making it accessible and fun for younger audiences.
Musical AI: Another innovative design replaces bird classification with music genre classification. Learners can build datasets with cards featuring popular songs and their attributes, training an AI model to recognize different genres. The outcome—a playlist generated by their trained AI—adds a personal and enjoyable touch to the learning experience.
Embracing Informal Learning
These museum exhibits are not just about teaching AI concepts; they aim to transform how children perceive and interact with technology. By centering on creativity, collaboration, and personal relevance, these exhibits can ignite curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of AI. They demonstrate that learning about complex technologies can be both fun and meaningful, bridging the gap between formal education and everyday life.
Conclusion
As AI continues to shape our world, initiatives like these are crucial in preparing the next generation to navigate and contribute to a technology-driven society. The transition from activity boxes to museum exhibits represents a significant step forward in AI education, making it more inclusive and engaging. Through these innovative exhibits, children can explore the fascinating world of AI, fostering a generation of informed and empowered individuals ready to harness the power of technology.
Citation: Long, D., Rollins, S., Ali-Diaz, J., Hancock, K., Nuonsinoeun, S., Roberts, J., & Magerko, B. (2023, June). Fostering AI Literacy with Embodiment & Creativity: From Activity Boxes to Museum Exhibits. In Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (pp. 727-731).