Should human doctors be replaced by automated ones?

Contents
At a glance
Lesson information
Learning objectives
Prior knowledge
Teacher preparation
Provided materials
Lesson plan
Related Kialo Edu discussion

At a glance

  • Category: Science
  • Ages: 13-15
  • Suggested length: 2 class periods (45-55 minutes each) 
  • Device accessibility: 1 device per 1-2 students

In this lesson, students will be split into groups and asked to complete a partly developed Kialo Edu discussion on the question, “should human doctors be replaced by automated ones?” The discussion explores how the increasing use of AI affects the efficiency, cost and quality of healthcare. 

Each group will be given a clone of a partially developed Kialo Edu discussion: either a “pro-automation” discussion or an “anti-automation” discussion. Students will spend one class period conducting research and a second class period developing their discussion clone so that it represents both sides of the question.

Student groups will be assessed on the quality of the claims they add to their debates.

Lesson information

Learning objectives

In this lesson, students will:

  • Practice research skills across different fields, inquiring both into medical practices and norms as well as the use and future of AI.
  • Formulate arguments for or against the use of AI in medical contexts using reason and evidence.

Prior knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of how doctors diagnose their patients. First, they inquire about symptoms and then use their medical knowledge to analyze the data and give a diagnosis. They then recommend treatment accordingly.

Teacher preparation

  • Make enough clones of the “pro-automation” and “anti-automation” discussions for every group (only 1 clone of either discussion per group).
    • We recommend about 4-6 students per group.
    • In the provided Kialo Edu discussion, there is a default discussion task for students to add 3 claims. You can alter discussion task settings in your own clone and then use it as a template for any subsequent clones you wish to make.
      • You can also edit the student instructions to reflect any changes.
  • When inviting students to their clones of the discussion, give them Writer permissions.

Provided materials

  • The fully developed Kialo Edu discussion, “Should human doctors be replaced by automated ones?” The fully developed discussion is only for reference. Students will work with with either:
    • A “pro-automation” version of the discussion, where all claims supporting the automation of doctors are present. Students will develop the discussion to also represent arguments against automation.
    • An “anti-automation” version of the discussion, where all claims opposing the automation of doctors are present. Students will develop the discussion to also represent arguments supporting automation.
  • Instructions for students (downloadable in .docx / .pdf).
  • Lesson plan for educators (downloadable in .docx / .pdf).
  • Suggested rubric for grading a Kialo Edu discussion (ages 11-13) (downloadable in .docx / .pdf).
  • Suggested rubric for grading a Kialo Edu discussion (ages 14+) (downloadable in .docx / .pdf).

Lesson plan

Suggested length: 2 class periods (45-55 minutes each)

Lesson components:

  • Opener (8-20 minutes)
  • Activity
    • Part A: Exploring the Kialo Edu discussion (focus of 1 class period)
    • Part B: Developing the Kialo Edu discussion (focus of 1 class period)
  • Optional closer (5-10 minutes)

Assessment:

  • Student groups will be assessed on their contributions to the Kialo Edu discussion. (see suggested rubric)

Tips:

  • Make sure that each student group has their own clone of the discussion to develop.

Opener (8-20 minutes)

  1. Pose the following question to the whole class: “Would you prefer your medical treatment to be in the hands of a human doctor or an automated one?” Conduct a brief discussion of students’ answers.

Optional extension (12 min.): Activate students’ knowledge by showing the TEDed video “Will AI mean we no longer need doctors?”

  1. Inform students that they will be put in groups and assigned a partly developed Kialo Edu discussion: either a “pro-automation” or an “anti-automation” discussion. Explain that students will develop their assigned discussion to represent both sides of the question.

Activity

Part A: Exploring Kialo Edu Discussions (1 class period)

  1. Split the class into groups of 4-6 and assign each group either a “pro-automation” or an “anti-automation” discussion. If possible, there should be an equal number of “pro” and “anti” groups.
  2. Go over Part A of student instructions and direct student groups to explore their assigned discussion.

Part B: Developing Kialo Edu Discussion (1 class period)

  1. Go over Part B of student instructions.
  2. Direct student groups to begin developing their assigned discussion clones. Give students approximately 25 minutes to add 3 new claims each or about 15 per group.

TIP: You can keep track of how many claims each student has added by pressing the  ≡  button in the top-left of the discussion and looking at the “Tasks” tab.

Optional differentiation: You can require students to not only link sources in their claims, but to provide properly formatted academic citations in the Quote/Note box.

  1. Reconvene the whole class and go through each group’s new discussion. 

TIP: New claims added by students will have a blue dot on their top-right corner. This can make it easier to identify students’ contributions.

Optional closer (5-10 minutes) 

  1. Show students the fully developed Kialo Edu discussion.
  1. Compare the full Kialo Edu discussion with the arguments made by students. Were there any claims that all groups on one side missed? Were any claims especially persuasive for the students? Conduct a class discussion around these questions.

Related Kialo Edu discussion

Should human doctors be replaced by automated ones? — kialo-edu.com

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