Lesson Plan 7: Analysing an AI account of 1916 Rising
Added: 27 Jul 2024
Contributor:
Patrick Hickey
Resource type:
Lesson 7, "Analysing an AI account of 1916 Rising", focuses on developing students' critical analysis skills in the context of AI-generated historical content. Key aspects include:
1. Students are presented with an AI-generated account of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland that contains inaccuracies and biases.
2. The lesson emphasises the importance of analysing historical texts critically, regardless of their source.
3. Students are encouraged to identify errors, biases, and omissions in the AI-generated account.
4. The activity involves fact-checking and cross-referencing information using credible historical sources.
5. It highlights how AI can produce convincing but flawed historical narratives, stressing the need for human critical thinking in historical research.
6. The lesson teaches students to approach all information, especially digital or AI-generated content, with a questioning mindset.
7. It connects to broader themes of Irish history and the complexities of historical events like the Easter Rising.
This lesson aims to enhance students' understanding of the 1916 Rising while developing crucial skills in critical thinking, historical analysis, and information literacy. These skills are applicable not just in history, but across all subjects and in evaluating information in everyday life.
How it maps to the curriculum
- JC
- History
Strand: 1. The Nature of History
Strand unit: 5. Job of the Historian
Suggestions for use: Perspective Swap: Have students rewrite the AI-generated account from different perspectives (e.g., British government, Irish nationalist, Dublin civilian). They should use verified facts but consider how perspective might influence the narrative. This exercise enhances critical thinking about bias in historical accounts and deepens understanding of the event's complexity. Source Comparison: Provide students with the AI account alongside a primary source document from the 1916 Rising (e.g., a newspaper article or personal letter). Ask them to compare and contrast the two, identifying differences in tone, factual accuracy, and perspective. This activity sharpens their ability to critically evaluate different types of historical sources.
Key Skills:
- Being Creative
- Communicating
- Managing Information and Thinking
- Staying Well
- Working with Others
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Managing Myself
