Integrating artificial intelligence using an unplugged computing approach in primary education can significantly enrich the learning process and enhance students' understanding of basic machine learning concepts in the second educational period of primary school. This approach allows students to familiarize themselves with fundamental machine learning concepts at an early age in an adapted and comprehensible way. Unplugged computing enables teachers to incorporate educational games, exercises, and discussions. We conducted four different activities (see Unplugged Informatik, n.d.): Monkeys, Pictures, Defeat the Crocodile, and Chess with Crocodiles. The aim of the Monkeys activity was to introduce students to the concept of decision trees. In the second activity, Pictures, students learned about neural networks and their functioning. The last two activities, Chess with Crocodiles and Defeat the Crocodile, introduced students to reinforcement learning. All four activities foster critical thinking and active student engagement. Through unplugged computing activities, fifth-grade students were introduced to AI concepts such as decision trees, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. During the research, we observed that students applied and further developed computational thinking throughout the activities. We also monitored and assessed their attitude towards the content and classroom dynamics. Our findings indicate that students responded positively to this new method of learning, as the lessons were more dynamic compared to traditional instruction. They encouraged and helped each other, showing particular creativity in constructing decision trees. The Pictures activity highlighted their critical thinking skills. All four activities supported problem-solving and, most importantly, collaboration. These findings confirmed our hypothesis that unplugged computing is an effective approach for introducing new concepts in the second educational period of primary school.
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