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Year 8

Machine learning and artificial intelligence

I can describe artificial intelligence and machine learning, and explain how machine learning differs from traditional programming.

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New
New
Year 8

Machine learning and artificial intelligence

I can describe artificial intelligence and machine learning, and explain how machine learning differs from traditional programming.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artificial intelligence is about computer systems that learn from data or follow rules to perform complex tasks.
  2. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence where computers learn from data and improve over time.
  3. Machine learning is different from programming because it learns rules from data instead of being told what to do.

Keywords

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) - computer systems that adjust their outputs based on data or follow rules to perform complex tasks

  • Machine learning (ML) - a system that uses data to improve its output without being programmed

  • Programming - the process of writing rule-based computer programs

Common misconception

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are the same thing.

Machine learning is a type of artifical intelligence that helps machines get better at tasks by learning from data, not just following pre-written instructions and rules.


To help you plan your year 8 computing lesson on: Machine learning and artificial intelligence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask learners to consider how AI is part of their daily lives. For example, get them to consider how AI is used in social media for content recommendation and video games for non-player character (NPC) behaviour in games.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do organisations use data science?

Correct answer: to make smarter decisions
to create artwork
to build houses
to grow plants

Q2.
What does it mean to analyse data?

to ignore it
to throw it away
to copy it without checking
Correct answer: to look at it carefully to understand it better

Q3.
What is the purpose of data cleaning?

to make data more confusing
to make data larger
Correct answer: to fix or remove mistakes in data
to delete all data

Q4.
What is it called when information is unfair or unbalanced, leading to results that do not represent everyone equally?

Correct Answer: bias

Q5.
Arrange these tasks in the correct sequence for removing bias from data:

1 - identify sources of bias
2 - collect data from a wider group
3 - adjust the data to be more representative
4 - check the results

Q6.
What is the main goal of analysing data patterns?

to ignore trends
to make data less clear
to hide results
Correct answer: to discover useful information

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its correct description:

Correct Answer:artificial intelligence,complex tasks using learning or rules

complex tasks using learning or rules

Correct Answer:machine learning,improves by adjusting its output based on data

improves by adjusting its output based on data

Correct Answer:programming,writing instructions for computers

writing instructions for computers

Correct Answer:data,facts or information

facts or information

Q2.
Which of the following shows a system learning from data?

a printer making copies
a clock telling time
Correct answer: a computer that plays chess better after many games
a calculator doing sums

Q3.
What does machine learning use to improve over time?

Correct Answer: data

Q4.
What is the main goal of machine learning?

to stay the same
Correct answer: to improve performance by adjusting output based on data
to make things more complicated
to avoid using data

Q5.
Put these steps in the correct order for how a machine learning system improves:

1 - collect data
2 - train the system
3 - test its performance
4 - improve based on results

Q6.
Why is programming still important when using artificial intelligence?

Correct answer: it provides the basic instructions and structure
it is not used at all
it only creates errors
it replaces all data