07 May 2025
Bringing AI to your Classroom: Hands on with PictoBlox - CAS Primary event
If you were unable to join us for the Bringing AI to Your Classroom: Hands-on with PictoBlox Computer Vision online community meeting, don't worry! You can catch up on all the content and a recording of the session below.
Exploring AI Through Computer Vision: A Hands-On Introduction with PictoBlox
Key Takeaways:
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PictoBlox offers an accessible, block-based environment for introducing AI and machine learning concepts.
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Hands-on demonstrations included facial recognition, pose detection, and emotion recognition.
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The session highlighted the importance of ethical considerations in teaching AI.
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Teachers can embed computer vision projects into the KS3 and KS4 curriculum with minimal technical setup.
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PictoBlox provides a springboard for cross-curricular projects that blend computing with real-world applications.
Main Body
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly central to conversations about the future of education—and Computer Science teachers are at the forefront of helping students understand how AI works and how it affects the world around them. The recent Bringing AI to Your Classroom session offered a practical dive into this topic through the lens of computer vision and the PictoBlox platform.
Led by [session presenter’s name if known], the meeting opened with a brief overview of AI and its many branches, focusing particularly on computer vision—how machines interpret visual information from the world. We explored the ways that AI is already shaping our daily lives, from facial recognition in smartphones to image classification in social media.
The heart of the session was a series of live demonstrations using PictoBlox, a block-based coding tool built on Scratch that makes it easy to explore machine learning and AI without prior experience. Attendees watched as PictoBlox's AI extensions were used to:
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Recognise facial features and emotions,
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Detect body poses,
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Classify objects via webcam input,
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And respond interactively to visual cues.
This wasn’t just about playing with cool tech—it raised important questions about how we introduce these powerful technologies to young learners. Discussions touched on data privacy, ethical use of AI, and the importance of encouraging students to critically evaluate the tools they are using.
A notable strength of PictoBlox is its low barrier to entry. With just a webcam and a web browser (or downloadable app), students can get hands-on experience with real AI applications. Teachers shared ideas for integrating the tool into schemes of work across Key Stage 3 and 4, including as part of enrichment activities or thematic days.
By the end of the session, many of us were left feeling inspired—not only by the technical capabilities of the software but by the potential it holds for engaging students in meaningful, forward-looking learning experiences.
Next Steps
As you reflect on your own classroom practice, consider the following questions:
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How do I currently introduce emerging technologies like AI?
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Am I helping students understand how AI impacts their lives—and not just how it works?
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Do my lessons include discussion of the ethical implications of AI systems?
Here are a few classroom ideas you might try:
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Create an AI-powered emotion detector: Use PictoBlox’s face detection to trigger on-screen responses based on detected emotions.
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Pose-based games: Challenge students to create a simple game that responds to different body poses.
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Ethics debate: Present students with a real-world AI application and ask them to consider the pros and cons of its use.
Further Resources