AI for Beginners
A Senior Adult Learning Course
10-Lesson Outline
Lesson 1: What is AI and Why Should I Care?
- Simple explanation of artificial intelligence in everyday terms
- Real-world examples of AI you already use (smartphone assistants, predictive text, Netflix recommendations)
- How AI chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT can help with daily tasks
- Addressing common fears and misconceptions about AI
- Overview of what we’ll learn in this course
Lesson 2: Getting Started – Creating Your Account
- Step-by-step guide to accessing Claude.ai and ChatGPT
- Creating an account with email and password
- Understanding free vs. paid versions
- Navigating the basic interface
- Privacy and security basics – what information to share and what to keep private
Lesson 3: Your First Conversation – How to Talk to AI
- Understanding that AI responds to what you type (prompts)
- Starting a simple conversation
- Practice exercises: asking basic questions like “What’s the weather like today?” or “Tell me a joke”
- Understanding that AI doesn’t judge – you can ask anything
- How to start a new conversation vs. continuing an old one
Lesson 4: Asking Better Questions
- The difference between vague and specific questions
- Examples: “Tell me about Italy” vs. “Give me 5 must-see attractions in Rome for first-time visitors”
- Being clear about what you want (lists, explanations, step-by-step instructions)
- Practice exercises with progressively detailed prompts
- Learning to add context to your questions
Lesson 5: Practical Uses – Health and Wellness
- Asking for recipe ideas and meal planning
- Getting exercise suggestions appropriate for seniors
- Understanding medication information (with disclaimer about consulting doctors)
- Finding explanations for medical terms in simple language
- Asking for wellness tips and healthy habits
Lesson 6: Practical Uses – Staying Connected
- Help writing emails and messages to family
- Creating birthday messages or thank you notes
- Getting help with social media posts
- Learning how to ask AI to explain confusing messages you’ve received
- Composing letters or cards for special occasions
Lesson 7: Practical Uses – Learning and Hobbies
- Researching topics of interest (history, gardening, crafts)
- Getting instructions for hobbies and projects
- Learning new skills step-by-step
- Asking for book, movie, or TV show recommendations
- Planning trips and getting travel information
Lesson 8: Practical Uses – Problem Solving and Daily Tasks
- Getting help with technology problems (TV remote, smartphone issues)
- Understanding bills and documents in simple terms
- Asking for instructions on household tasks
- Getting product recommendations and comparisons
- Help with planning events or organizing tasks
Lesson 9: Understanding AI Limitations
What AI can and cannot do
- Understanding that AI can make mistakes
- Why you should verify important information
- Recognizing when to ask a human expert instead
- AI doesn’t have personal opinions or feelings
- Information cutoff dates and current events
Lesson 10: Practice and Troubleshooting
Common problems and how to fix them
(AI doesn’t understand, gives wrong answer, etc.)
- How to rephrase questions if you don’t get what you need
- Reviewing favorite use cases from previous lessons
- Open practice time with instructor support
- Resources for continued learning
- Q&A session for any remaining questions
Testing the Limits of A.I.
- Here is a list of 10 things to do that will test your limits of using AI. See how far you’ve come.
- Compare Three AI Tools – Try the same question on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Which gave the best answer and why?
- Test AI’s Limits – Find 5 things AI does poorly or gets wrong. Show examples.
- Write Better Prompts – Take a vague question and rewrite it three ways to get better results.
- Fact-Check AI – Ask AI about a topic you know well. Find and document any mistakes.
- Solve a Real Problem – Use AI to help with something practical: plan a trip, organize a project, or learn a new skill.
- Spot Bias – Ask AI questions about different groups of people or controversial topics. Look for unfair or one-sided answers.
- Create a Guide – Make a simple how-to sheet teaching someone to use AI for the first time.
- Build Something – Use AI to create content: a presentation, story, recipe collection, study guide, or simple website.
- Ethics Scenario – Think about one situation where using AI could cause problems. How would you prevent it?
- Personal Reflection – Think about three ways AI will change your work or daily life in the next few years.
