AI1: Lesson 2: Machine Learning How Computers Learn

Can a computer really learn without being told what to do?

This KS3 / lower secondary computing lesson gives students direct experience of how machine learning works from the inside out.

Students take on the role of the artificial intelligence - using data and feedback to uncover hidden rules just like a real machine learning model would. Through a pair of highly engaging classification tasks, they learn how computers “train” on examples and refine their predictions over time.

Clear comparisons between traditional programming and machine learning help clarify how modern systems actually “learn.” The lesson builds toward a creative extension challenge where students invent their own machine learning-powered system - linking classroom concepts to real-world applications such as voice assistants, autocorrect tools, and personalised music recommendations.

Through this, students uncover:

• How machine learning uses data and answers to discover hidden patterns and form rules
• Why feedback loops are essential for improving AI accuracy over time
• What makes machine learning different from traditional programming — and where we see it in everyday tech.

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