Decoding the algorithm

Time Needed: 40 minutes

Supplies Needed:

• Technology to share video with the class.
• Students’ own personal devices (phone, tablet)

Learning Goal: Learners will demonstrate an understanding of how algorithms use data to predict, sort, filter and match information to people.

Activate (10 minutes):

• Review the concept of an algorithm as something that uses data to predict, sort, filter and match information, habits and people.
• Read the article “Invasion of the body stalkers” and ask students to identify why the algorithm predicted Melissa needed baby formula? Ask students to identify three benefits and three harms created by this algorithm. These benefits/harms could apply to Melissa personally or more broadly to others.
• Choose another article about algorithms that is relevant to your curriculum (you can find those in the Bundle Builder or here) and repeat the discussion.

Acquire (15 minutes):

• Watch this video about Youtube Algorithms with your class.
• Ask students to perform the exercise suggested at the beginning of the video: open their personal Youtube home page, then select and watch a video that seems out of place.
• Have students share what video they watched, and ask them to speculate on why the Youtube algorithm thought they would like it.

Apply (15 minutes):

• Ask students to use their personal device and a social media app of their choice to complete Part 1 of the reflection sheet, which asks them to collect some observations from a homepage of their choosing.
• Once part 1 is complete, they may continue their reflection in part 2, or (preferable) this may be done as a class discussion to enable comparisons and conversations. A discussion guide is provided here.