Our daily life and AI
Artificial intelligence is now widespread, and more people are using it regularly at work and in their personal lives. The changes brought about by this technology require us to develop critical thinking skills to remain informed citizens and stay in control of our digital environment. We have been researching learning resources that can help learners understand the presence of artificial intelligence in their daily lives. In a series of workshops held on February 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026, we invited participants to explore them with us and curate your own collection.
We took a look at learning resources that:
- Enhance our knowledge of how AI works and how to evaluate its outputs
- Expand our capacity to detect images and content produced by AI
- Encourage learners to reflect on the use of AI in their learning journey
These resources include teacher-facing guides, instructions, objectives and/or teaching tips and support instructors to:
- Cover a topic comprehensively.
- Build a series of lessons that flow together.
- Co-learn rather than feel pressure to be the expert.
Workshop 1: What is AI?
Lessons and activities that help learners understand what AI is and how it works.
- CTRL-F
- Common Sense Education – What is AI? and How is AI trained?
- Khan Academy – What is AI? and How is AI trained?
- Google applied digital skills: Discover AI in Daily Life – Online course
- Code.org Youtube Channel
From Jeremy Marks: We have a deep fake document we developed in 2024 which you can access on our Literacy Link website. However, it is due for further research. https://irp.cdn-website.com/1a9192fe/files/uploaded/Combatting+Deep+Fakes+in+Generative+AI+%282024%29.pdf
From Andy Walton: This is a useful resource for teachers. https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/a-teachers-prompt-guide-to-chatgpt-aligned-with-what-works-best.pdf
Workshop 2: AI and Disinformation
Lessons and activities that help learners develop strategies to verify information in a landscape where
AI is used to create content.
- From Tracey Mollins: I did not share the link but I mentioned this.
- Perry Carpenter and FAIK – https://www.thisbookisfaik.com/
- He is selling a book but there are some good articles under the resources tab. This one describes the FAIK framework: The FAIK Factor: Your Shield Against Digital Deception
- It is basically lateral reading and very similar to the SIFT framework that CTRL-F uses but some of the ways he talks about emotional intelligence is interesting.
Workshop 3: AI Ethics and Bias
Lessons and activities that help learners explore ethical questions
about using AI and how AI perpetuates biases and
stereotypes.
Links from AI in Daily Life Workshop 3 slides
Workshop 4: AI in the Classroom
Lessons and activities for discussing AI guidelines and using
AI to complete tasks.
Links shared in Workshop 4
Links from AI in Daily Life Workshop 4 slides
- AlphaPlus AI resource list
- AI to Create and Manage Learning Activities by Shawn McCusker: 2024 12 AI for Educators
AI and Climate
AI and intellectual property (copyright) transparency
- Citing generative AI – U of Ottawa
- This page is in French but for English speakers, a description of the logos is available in English.
AI Literacy Day
An initiative from MediaSmarts at https://mediasmarts.ca/canada-ai-literacy-day
This resource from AlphaPlus was created by Tracey Mollins after a workshop series called AI in daily life: Exploring Learning Resources.
Learn Together: Creative Writing (Poetry) – Express yourself creatively
In June 2026 we facilitated a 3-part exploration of how to keep creativity flowing in the literacy classroom. We are going to take a dive into resources, tools and approaches that support creative writing instruction. We
- Explored lesson plans that encourage creative expression, reading and writing.
- Provided opportunities for participants to into your their creativity.
- Expanded participant lists of Open Education Resources.
- Experimented with digital tools that can support writing skills and the development of digital competencies.
We took a look at learning resources that:
- Enhance our knowledge of how AI works and how to evaluate its outputs
- Expand our capacity to detect images and content produced by AI
- Encourage learners to reflect on the use of AI in their learning journey
These resources include teacher-facing guides, instructions, objectives and/or teaching tips and support instructors to:
- Cover a topic comprehensively.
- Build a series of lessons that flow together.
- Co-learn rather than feel pressure to be the expert.
You can find links to all the resources we used in the workshops in this document.
Workshop 1:
Creating something from something
We explored how we can create poetry even if we have never read or written a poem
before. We looked at
- how creating something from something fosters a growth mindset.
- two resources for learning about what poetry is;
- two forms of found poetry that are a place to start;
Workshop 2:
Quiet observations and form poems
We explored how we can create poetry from our own experiences and our own lives.
We looked at
- a poem created from an observation and a question;
- how that poem inspired action;
- how images can inspire creativity;
- how form poetry can help us start creating;
- and a little on how to find images that we can use.
Workshop 3:
Poetry grows our hearts
We explored how we can learn about poetry by experiencing it in different formats.
We looked at
- how poetry gets in our hearts;
- places to read and hear poems;
- how reading poems, listening to poems, and reading poems out loud help us to understand poetry.
This resource from AlphaPlus was created by Tracey Mollins after a workshop series called Resources and tools to support creative writing instruction.
How can we (literacy practitioners) use what we know about learners’ daily lives to better answer their learning needs?
In a series of 3 workshops on Wednesday, January 14, 21, 28, 2026 we explored different ways to use learners’ daily digital tasks to create activities that develop digital skills, other skills and knowledge.
We looked at how to go from a simple daily activity such as using a web mapping app to identify digital skills that can be developed through various means and
- Develop a practice of integrating daily life apps and websites into curriculum and lesson plans
- Explore how integrating daily-life technology supports literacy learning
- Expand your list of apps and websites that support learners in completing daily life tasks and accessing resources
Workshop 1: Search
Basic searches, AI augmented searches and using chatbots to get answers to questions, using search skills on websites.
Learn about basic search
Basic Search – 3 lessons and a practice: Search engines, Basic search, Ads in search results.
Learn about AI-augmented search
AI-Augmented Search Lesson Plan – CTRL-F Online Search Skills Lesson 2
Lateral reading: CTRL- F has a series of lessons and videos based on the SIFT method.
Learn about chatbot search
Coding Ireland Digital Skills Curriculum: Using AI for Web Searches
This lesson explores how AI is transforming the way we conduct web searches. The lesson gives learners the opportunity to compare traditional search engines with AI-powered tools and discuss the appropriate situations for using each.
PBS News Hour Classroom: AI Unlocked — finding facts with generative AI search
This lesson teaches students how AI responds to different types of prompts and how prompt engineering might be able to help them generate additional information.
Using Search skills on websites – Housing Rights
Steps to Justice website from CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario)
- Free information about legal problems in Ontario.
- Reliable, practical, and easy to understand.
- Written by lawyers and edited by trained plain language editors.
OJEN (Ontario Justice Education Network) A Foot in the Door
This 6-module resource, produced by the Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) and the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), provides an introduction to real estate and housing law in Ontario, including the various considerations and processes involved in purchasing and renting a home.
Workshop 2: Reading
Reading the news and using the library.
Reading the news
Media Smarts lessons
Libraries
Using the Libby app
Links from the chat
Workshop 3: Creating
Creating a budget, using a shopping app and storytelling with Google maps.
Budgeting and shopping
- Your budget @ Desjardins
- AlphaPlus OER – Numeracy in Daily Life
- AlphaPlus Useful Apps
- Shopping with Flipp activity
Maps and stories
Learn about mapping
Google: Create or open a map
Maps and stories lesson plans
Google Applied Digital Skills – My Maps activities
The GFCGlobal link in the slides that went missing can be viewed in the Wayback Machine (crawled on December 31, 2025) here: https://web.archive.org/web/20251231202220/https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/google-maps/
I tried to replicate the tutorials here: LearnFree Maps Tutorials
Links from the chat
- Government of Canada Budgeting Site
- AlphaPlus Information Literacy Resources
- Google Applied Digital Skills
- AI for Educators (AlphaPlus and EdTechTeacher workshops):
This resource from AlphaPlus was created by Tracey Mollins after a workshop series called Digital Technology in Daily Life.
Delivered on Tuesday, June 2, 2026
For adult literacy learners, financial literacy is about learning everyday money skills for work, family life, and the community.
During this session, guest presenters Jennifer, Janet and Audrey shared how they developed and delivered successful financial literacy programs in their community. Through real‑world examples and practical applications, participants explored what works, why it works, and how to adapt these approaches for their own context. Participants left with actionable tips and ready‑to‑use resources they could apply right away.
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Please note: Resources discussed and shared in the chat during the session have been added to the presentation (page 35).
VIDEO RECORDING
Video with ASL interpretation coming soon.
PRESENTERS
Jennifer began volunteering with the Midland Area Reading Council (MARC) in 2004, before it became the Gateway Centre for Learning. What started as volunteer work grew into a lasting commitment to the organization and its community. She has served as a Small Group Instructor, Student Tutor Coordinator, and Adult Program Coordinator, and now leads as Executive Director. For more than 20 years, Jennifer has championed Gateway’s mission with steady leadership and a strong belief in the power of learning. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and yoga.
With over 30 years of experience in financial services and taxation, Janet has always been dedicated to supporting individuals and communities. She has served as a CVITP Tax Clinic Coordinator for over 20 years and held the role of Financial Literacy Project Manager at NWALC, where she developed various financial workshops. Janet is also an active member of the Niagara Financial Empowerment Network.
Audrey has worked with community organizations, unions, libraries and colleges to design and deliver adult literacy programs for over 25 years. She created a critical financial literacy course called ‘Me, My Phone and Money’ for the IBEW Local 353 Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship training program, which she has been teaching for the past three years. Audrey has a Ph.D. in Adult Education & Community Development from the University of Toronto.
Explore the The Virtual Showcase Collection to see what happened in past sessions.
Delivered on Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Google Sites, included with both personal and organizational Gmail accounts, allows you to quickly create and edit web pages without coding or advanced technical skills required. During this session, guest presenters Kristi, Marissa, Brandy and Jordan shared how they used Google Sites to build their organizational, resource and event websites. Participants explored real-world examples and gained practical tips they could apply right away.
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VIDEO RECORDING
Video with ASL interpretation coming soon.
PRESENTERS
Brandy joined the literacy field after working in libraries for many years including Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Queen’s University Teacher Resource Centre and Brockville Public Library. Brandy is dedicated to social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. She has received an Ally Award for her work with Brockville Pride and recognition from the Every Kid in Our Community committee as a Youth Asset Builder. She enjoys spending time with her family and cats, and reading is her sport.
Marissa made the move from nursing into education in 2018, where she found a passion for teaching science and math in the Get SET program and supporting learners on their path to post-secondary success. In August 2023, Marissa stepped into her role as Executive Director of the Network, where she continues to grow and support Get SET agencies and the Northeastern communities. With experience in both service delivery and leadership, Marissa truly enjoys helping providers navigate an ever-changing landscape. She calls Northern Ontario home, and outside of work, she is a proud mom of two who loves camping, hunting, fishing, and sneaking in a little travel whenever she can.
First and foremost, Kristi is a mom of 2 pretty awesome humans, and has a great husband who puts up with her and her shenanigans…secretly, I think he loves it too!! Kristi is the Executive Director of Atikokan Literacy Inc., which up until about 2 years ago consisted of only The Adult Learning Centre but now has The Gathering Place and The Once More Store under its umbrella! The centre is a space to cultivate wellness through arts, education, health and unity! She truly loves what she does and is excited to see what is coming!
Explore the The Virtual Showcase Collection to see what happened in past sessions.
In this Lunch & Learn session, delivered on April 7, 2026, we focused on Canva for Education, a platform that offers a wide range of activities, presentations, whiteboards, and courses one can use directly with learners. While full access is currently limited to school boards, many of Canva’s educational tools and templates are also available through nonprofit accounts.
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VIDEO RECORDING
In this Lunch & Learn session, delivered on February 10, 2026, we focused on setting up a free Google Business Profile so customers can find you on Google Search and Maps, exploring current social media trends, finding out whether hashtags still matter, and discovering tools for content creation and graphics management, and more.
PRESENTATION SLIDES
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In this Lunch & Learn session, delivered on January 6, 2026, we focused on new and innovative AI tools, advancements in assistants like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, tips on how to apply AI in your daily work, experimenting with prompts, and more.
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VIDEO RECORDING
Happy December!
Here are some activities that you can do with learners before or after the winter break: Winter Break Activities from AlphaPlus
Plus one Christmassy activity for those who celebrate.
New for 2025!
What makes you feel cozy in the winter?
What are your favourite comforts?
Learn about comfort foods and one of the most famous food and memory stories. The story is the from a book by Marcel Proust.
Proust writes about eating some tea cakes called madeleines and how the smell of the cakes takes him back to the days of his childhood.
This is now sometimes called the Proust Effect, The Proust Phenomenon or the Madeleine Effect.
In this activity you can
- discuss comfort foods and other things that make us feel safe and cozy
- learn about the Proust effect
- think about good writing
- watch videos
- and, if you like, write a story.
Winter Break Plans, Poems and Songs
Winter Break is a drag-and-drop and Answer Garden conversation starter where learners can think about what they will do on the break.
Winter Poem is a poetry activity based on the poem Dust of Snow by Robert Frost. Learners can read and listen to the poem and then examine the rhyming pattern (ABAB). They can then compare that rhyming pattern with the rhyming pattern in Catch a Little Rhyme by Eve Merriam (AABB).
Christmas Songs is an advent calendar of Christmas songs. You can see the whole playlist and links to the lyrics or play the songs one by one and look them up. If you want to make your own calendar, contact Tracey.
Winter Solstice Stories and Activities
Start by watching a video overview about the Winter Solstice and then watch these two videos:
- Author and Journalist Waubgeshig Rice from Wasauksing First Nation shares the importance of winter solstice as a time of change and storytelling for indigenous peoples.
- Wilfred Buck of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba sharing the Cree story of the winter solstice.
After the introduction, you will have a choice to
- Learn about Cree Astronomy from Wilfred Buck and make a Turtle Calendar based on the 13 Moons.
- Go to the Winter Animals activity and hear stories about animals (see below).
- Plan a Winter Solstice Party.
- Make a twig lantern or a jam jar lantern for a lantern walk.
- Make clove orange decorations.
- Make a warm, spicy drink.
- Make a winter playlist.
Winter Animal Songs and Stories
Winter Animals is made in Google Slides and gives learners a choice of stories or songs to listen to:
- Deer: A song called Deer Dancing Round a Broken Mirror by Bruce Cockburn and Rik Emmet.
- Owl: A TVO short about Kenojuak Ashevak and her painting, The Enchanted Owl.
- Raven: The Raven and the Owl, an Inuit legend put to song. There are two versions: one by The National Film Board of Canada and one by Becky Han.
- Fox: The Fox and the Whale, a 2016 Canadian animated short film directed by Robin Joseph.
- Skater: a 1980 animated film from the National Film Board of Canada narrated by the author of the story, Roch Carrier. There is a link to a 2023 riff on this story called the Hockey Jersey.
There are follow up activities in a Google Form and collaborative Slides.
This AlphaPlus Lunch & Learn session, delivered on November 4, 2025, focused on powerful tools in Microsoft 365. We explored Clipchamp, the integration of AI-powered Copilot across apps, transcribing and translations in Teams, Planner, and more.
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VIDEO RECORDING