Workshop 1: Socratic Foundations
AI as Partner, Not Replacement
Introductory Overview
Duration: 3–5 minutes
Video Content:
Introduction: Introduce the goals of Workshop 1 and explain how the six sections map to the recurring themes of human agency, critical questioning, bias awareness, hands-on building, ethical guardrails and mindful reflection.
Key Message: "AI can be an amazing partner, but only if you stay in the driver's seat."
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the overall structure of the workshop
- Meet the standing project (building an AI tutor)
- Preview the importance of mindfulness
- Learn how parents can support the learning journey
Call to Action
Set an intention for the workshop—what do you hope to get out of it? Share this intention during the Parent's Corner segment.
Mindfulness Centering Moment
Duration: 1–2 minutes
🧘♀️ Guided Exercise Placeholder
This short segment will be a guided exercise (breathing, gratitude or grounding) provided by the instructor. The exercise aims to calm the mind and open curiosity before beginning deep work.
Reminder: Approach AI thoughtfully, taking a moment to pause and reflect before each use.
Section 1: Human Agency & The Power of "No"
Duration: 8 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook (30 seconds):
"Imagine you've just finished a history assignment. An AI app pops up: 'I can rewrite this essay for you.' Would you click yes? Before you decide, let's explore why sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is… 'no.'"
Core Content (6–8 minutes):
- What is human agency? - The ability to make choices and refuse options that don't align with your values
- AI as a tool, not an overlord - AI generates text based on patterns but doesn't "understand" or "know"
- Case study: Rejecting AI suggestions when they violate academic integrity
- Retaining Agency: Working with AI through tactical prompts while maintaining creative authority
Standing Project Tie-in
As you start designing your AI tutor, think about what you never want it to do. Create a 'Never List': rules your tutor must follow to respect your agency.
Interactive Activity: Solo Scenario Analysis (15 minutes)
Analyze three scenarios where AI offers assistance:
Scenario 1: Essay Rewrite
AI offers to rewrite a student's essay
Scenario 2: Math Homework
An AI tool gives the answer to a complicated equation without showing work
Scenario 3: Research Summary
AI summarizes a science article but adds a fake statistic
For each scenario, decide whether to accept or reject the AI's help and explain why.
Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Reflection Prompt
Write a short journal entry responding to:
- When have you chosen not to use an AI tool, and why? Did that choice help you learn more or feel more confident?
- How do you feel about saying "no" to technology? Is it easy or hard? Why?
Section Checkpoint
Create a Never List for your AI tutor. At minimum, it should include:
- Tasks the tutor will refuse (e.g., writing essays, solving test questions directly)
- Guidelines for citing sources and encouraging original thought
- A reminder to ask the student if they want to proceed before giving advice
Parent's Corner Note
Students show their parents the scenarios they analyzed and explain why they chose to say "no" or "yes" in each case. Parents are encouraged to share a time when they had to say "no" to a technology tool and reflect on how it felt.
Section 2: Socratic Method 101: Questioning Everything
Duration: 9 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook:
"Have you ever asked an AI a question and felt unsatisfied with the answer? What if the problem wasn't the AI—but the question? Let's travel back to ancient Greece to learn from the master of questions himself."
Core Content:
- Who was Socrates? - Master of asking layered, open-ended questions to reveal assumptions
- Weak vs. strong prompts - Transform "Write my history essay" into "What are the main arguments for and against using AI in history research?"
- Logical fallacies and AI - Spot common fallacies in AI responses
- Activity preview - Practice rewriting prompts and identifying fallacies
Standing Project Tie-in
The tutor you're building should ask you questions back. The more thoughtful the questions, the deeper the learning.
Interactive Exercise: Prompt Rewriting
Rewrite these weak prompts into Socratic questions:
Weak Prompts:
- "Do my algebra homework"
- "Summarize this chapter"
- "Tell me what to write about climate change"
- "Give me the answer to this math problem"
- "Write my book report"
Strong Socratic Questions:
- "What steps should I take to solve this algebra problem?"
- "What are the key themes in this chapter and how do they connect?"
- "What different perspectives exist on climate change and what evidence supports each?"
- "How can I approach this math problem step by step?"
- "What questions should I ask myself when analyzing this book?"
Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: C
Correct answer: B
Reflection Prompt
Think about a time you accepted an AI answer without questioning it. What assumptions did you make? How could you have rephrased your question to get a more thoughtful response?
Section Checkpoint
Draft ten Socratic questions that your AI tutor should use to guide learning. Examples:
- "Why do you think this answer is correct?"
- "What sources support this claim?"
- "How does this connect to what you already know?"
- "What assumptions are you making?"
Parent's Corner Note
Students explain to parents the difference between weak and strong prompts. Parents and teens can practice rewriting a prompt together—perhaps asking the AI for help with a household task and refining the request to encourage deeper understanding.
Section 3: Bias, Fairness & Whose Truth?
Duration: 9 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook:
"Have you ever noticed a music app recommending the same type of songs over and over, even if you have varied taste? That's bias at work. Let's learn how to spot it—and why it matters for the AI you build."
Types of Bias:
- Historical bias: Past injustices embedded in data
- Measurement bias: When the wrong thing is measured or measured poorly
- Representation bias: When certain groups are under-represented in data
Key Questions:
- "Who benefits from this system? Who might be harmed?"
- "Whose truth is being represented?"
- "What perspectives are missing?"
Standing Project Tie-in
Add a bias check routine to your tutor: after generating an answer, the tutor should ask, "Could this response reflect a particular bias? What sources support it?"
Case Study Analysis
Analyze a biased algorithm (e.g., Amazon's hiring tool preferring male candidates or Snapchat filters altering skin tones):
Analysis Questions:
- What type(s) of bias do you see?
- Who benefits, and who is harmed?
- How would you redesign the system?
Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Reflection Prompt
Think about a time when you experienced bias—online or offline. How did it make you feel? Why is it important to watch out for bias in AI tools?
Section Checkpoint
Update your tutor's ethical guidelines to include a bias check. Write a simple prompt: "After answering a question, ask if the answer might reflect a bias. Explain why and suggest ways to verify."
Parent's Corner Note
Parents and teens explore bias together. Watch a short clip about bias in AI and discuss a time they noticed bias in media or technology. Learn how to question recommendations (e.g., news feeds, product suggestions) together.
Section 4: Building Your First AI Teammate
Duration: 10 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook:
"Ready to get hands-on? You've learned to question AI and check its bias. Now you'll build an AI teammate that learns from you."
What makes an AI tutor tick?
- Generative AI uses patterns learned from text to predict the next word
- Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG): combining a model with a knowledge base
- Platform comparison: ChatGPT Custom GPTs vs Google Gemini
Step-by-step Demo:
- Define the tutor's persona (friendly tone, Socratic questioning style)
- Set boundaries (incorporate "Never List" and bias check instructions)
- Upload resources (course materials or notes as knowledge base)
- Test the tutor with sample questions
Standing Project Milestone
Build a working prototype of your tutor by the end of this section. The tutor must embody the values and guidelines from Sections 1–3.
Interactive Tutorial
Create your custom GPT or Gemini agent using the step-by-step guide. Test your tutor using three scenarios:
Test Scenario 1: Homework Assignment
Ask the tutor to help solve a math problem without giving the answer outright.
Test Scenario 2: Research Task
Ask for guidance on finding credible sources for a science project.
Test Scenario 3: Personal Organization
Ask for tips on managing time between school and hobbies.
Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Reflection Prompt
How did it feel to build your own AI tutor? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you solve them? How does your tutor reflect your values?
Section Checkpoint
Submit a link or screenshot of your tutor prototype along with a short description of its persona, boundaries and bias check routine.
Parent's Corner Note
Parents can watch their teen's demo of the tutor. The student can explain how they defined the tutor's persona and boundaries. Parents are encouraged to ask the tutor a question about something in their own work or hobby to see how it responds.
Section 5: Ethical Guardrails: When to Trust, When to Verify
Duration: 8 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook:
"AI can help us, but it can also trip us up. What happens when students use AI to cheat? And what about when they use it to learn? Let's explore the difference."
Ethical Foresight - Three Key Questions:
- Who might be harmed? Who benefits?
- What values are embedded in this tool or task?
- What would happen if everyone did this?
Responsible vs. Irresponsible Use:
Outcome: Don't learn, risk punishment, miss growth opportunity
Outcome: Deeper understanding, improved habits
Standing Project Tie-in
Implement refusal scripts and accountability checks in your tutor.
Interactive Case Study
Analyze two side-by-side narratives of students using AI:
Case Study A
Student copies AI-generated essay answers for a test without understanding the content.
Identify ethical red flags and rewrite the request ethically.Case Study B
Student asks AI to explain complex concepts and help create a study plan, then writes their own answers.
Identify what makes this approach ethical.Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: A
Reflection Prompt
Recall a time when you or a peer used technology unethically (e.g., copying homework answers). How could ethical foresight have changed that situation? What refusal script could have been used?
Section Checkpoint
Write at least two refusal scripts for your tutor and outline a simple accountability checklist:
- Example script: "I'm here to help you learn. I can't complete graded assignments for you, but I can explain concepts."
- Checklist items: "Check for bias," "Ask if this is ethical," "Verify with a human source"
Parent's Corner Note
Parents and teens discuss scenarios where ethical decisions matter (e.g., copying someone's work, using AI to deceive). Encourage parents to share their own professional ethics examples.
Section 6: Reflection & Next Steps
Duration: 7 minutes
Video Script Content:
Hook:
"AI is everywhere. It's fast, it's helpful—and it can be overwhelming. How do you stay in control without burning out? Let's find out."
Why mindfulness matters:
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Pausing before using AI helps you make intentional choices rather than reacting automatically.
Recognising overreliance:
- Never starting assignments without asking AI first
- Trusting AI more than teachers
- Feeling anxious without AI's input
Commitment to growth:
Set goals for responsible AI use (e.g., brainstorm independently first, always double-check sources)
Guided Meditation Activity
🧘♀️ 3-Minute Grounding Exercise
Close your eyes, breathe deeply, count to four as you inhale and four as you exhale. Notice how you feel when you let your thoughts settle.
Audio or script to be uploaded later
Repeat this whenever you feel overwhelmed by technology.
Standing Project Collaboration
Share your tutor with a classmate, receive feedback and update it accordingly. This emphasises collaboration and iterative improvement.
Quick Quiz (5 questions)
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Correct answer: B
Reflection Prompt
Write about how your understanding of AI has evolved over the workshop. List:
- One way you will stay in control
- One value (e.g., resilience or curiosity) you will cultivate
Optionally, share your reflections with parents during the final Parent's Corner.
Section Checkpoint
Share your tutor link with a peer or parent. Document feedback and update your tutor's persona, questions or guardrails accordingly.
Parent's Corner Note
In the final Parent's Corner, students lead their parents through a mindfulness exercise and demo their tutor's latest version. Parents can ask questions about ethics, bias and mindful use.
Final Review & Quiz
Comprehensive Assessment
Workshop Summary - Key Learning Points:
- Human Agency: The power to say "no" and make intentional choices about AI use
- Socratic Questioning: Asking probing questions that reveal assumptions and encourage critical thinking
- Bias Awareness: Recognizing historical, measurement, and representation biases in AI systems
- Hands-on Building: Creating custom AI tutors with ethical guidelines and boundaries
- Ethical Guardrails: Implementing refusal scripts and accountability protocols
- Mindful Reflection: Staying grounded and avoiding overreliance on AI technology
Final Assessment (10 questions)
Instructions: This comprehensive quiz covers all workshop sections. You need an 80% pass rate to earn the microcredential. You can retake the quiz after reviewing feedback.
Note: The final quiz will be hosted on the chosen platform (e.g., Google Form) and will include:
- Multiple choice questions from each section
- Scenario-based questions requiring application of learned concepts
- Questions about ethical decision-making with AI
- Practical questions about building and managing AI tutors
Micro Credential & Badges
Upon passing the final quiz and completing all section checkpoints, students receive:
🏆 Digital Badge
Issued via Badgr with metadata including:
- Workshop name and completion date
- Core competencies learned
- Shareable on digital portfolios and social media
📜 Certificate
Downloadable PDF certificate that can be:
- Printed or shared digitally
- Shared with teachers and parents
- Added to academic portfolios
Both credentials available through the workshop's Squarespace course page.
Next Steps & Continued Learning
Congratulations on completing Workshop 1! Here's how to continue your AI ethics journey:
- Practice: Continue using your AI tutor with the ethical guidelines you've established
- Share: Teach others about responsible AI use
- Iterate: Regularly update your tutor's guidelines as you learn more
- Engage: Join or create study groups to discuss AI ethics
- Stay Mindful: Continue practicing mindfulness when using technology
Final Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on your complete workshop journey:
- How has your understanding of AI and its role in learning evolved?
- What aspects of responsible AI use will you carry forward?
- How will you maintain agency while benefiting from AI assistance?
- What mindfulness practices will you continue to use?
Technical Implementation Notes
Resource Upload Capability
The course platform should allow instructors to upload additional materials for each section:
- Videos: Embedded players for the scripted content outlined in each section
- Readings: AP English excerpts, science articles, ethics case studies
- Interactive Elements: Downloadable worksheets, digital polls, submission forms
- Assessment Tools: Quiz platforms with immediate feedback
- Resources Section: Links and embedded materials in each section
Materials can be added to the "Resources" sub-section of the web template and updated as new content becomes available.