Spot the Bot Worksheet

Instructions: For each example below, decide whether the content was created by a human (Real) or generated by AI. Circle your choice and write the clues or patterns you noticed that influenced your decision.

1. Text Example A

"Growing up on the outskirts of town, Maria remembered the hum of the tractor engines as her lullaby. Each dawn, she would rise before the sun to help feed the hens, collecting eggs with rough fingers and a gentle smile. By afternoon, the fields glowed golden in the heat, and she’d pause to imagine faraway cities beyond the horizon."

Real  AI

Clues you noticed:

2. Text Example B

"In today’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, stakeholders must leverage agile paradigms to optimize seamless integration of scalable functionalities. This convergence empowers cross-platform deliverables, driving revenue-centric synergies across vertical markets."

Real  AI

Clues you noticed:

3. Text Example C

"Roses are red, daisies are bright, vectors dance in code all night. Pixels align with digital care, crafting worlds suspended in air."

Real  AI

Clues you noticed:

4. Image Example A

(See Image A on the board or handout: a crowded city street scene with perfectly symmetrical reflections in every window, and unusually smooth faces without skin texture.)

Real  AI

Clues you noticed:

5. Image Example B

(See Image B on the board or handout: a family photograph with imperfect lighting, natural skin tones, and a slight motion blur on the dog at the edge of frame.)

Real  AI

Clues you noticed:

Reflection Questions

1. Why is it important to ask questions like “Who created this?” and “What purpose does this serve?” when you encounter text or images online?

1. Describe two digital literacy strategies you can use if you suspect a piece of content is AI-generated.

1. How might the increasing use of AI in media affect your trust in what you read and see online?

Spot the Bot Answer Key

This answer key provides the correct classification (Real vs. AI) for each example on the Spot the Bot Worksheet, along with detailed reasoning and key clues. Use these explanations to guide grading and facilitate discussion.

1. Text Example A

"Growing up on the outskirts of town, Maria remembered the hum of the tractor engines as her lullaby. Each dawn, she would rise before the sun to help feed the hens, collecting eggs with rough fingers and a gentle smile. By afternoon, the fields glowed golden in the heat, and she’d pause to imagine faraway cities beyond the horizon."

Correct Answer: Real

Reasoning & Clues:

1. Vivid sensory details: Specific sounds (“hum of the tractor engines”), textures (“rough fingers”), lighting (“fields glowed golden”) suggest lived experience.
2. Emotional nuance: The personal memory (“as her lullaby”) and reflective pause indicate a human voice with emotional depth.
3. Consistent narrative flow: The sequence of morning chores to afternoon daydreaming unfolds naturally, without abrupt topic shifts.
4. Unique specificity: Mention of precise elements (hens, tractor, horizon) rather than generic descriptions.

2. Text Example B

"In today’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, stakeholders must leverage agile paradigms to optimize seamless integration of scalable functionalities. This convergence empowers cross-platform deliverables, driving revenue-centric synergies across vertical markets."

Correct Answer: AI

Reasoning & Clues:

1. Overuse of buzzwords and jargon: Phrases like “digital ecosystem,” “agile paradigms,” and “revenue-centric synergies” are hallmarks of AI-generated corporate speak.
2. Lack of concrete detail: No real-world example or specific context—just abstract concepts.
3. Repetitive structure: Similar sentence patterns and piling on of management terms suggest template-like generation.
4. Generic purpose: The text feels like filler without a clear audience or objective beyond sounding “professional.”

3. Text Example C

"Roses are red, daisies are bright, vectors dance in code all night. Pixels align with digital care, crafting worlds suspended in air."

Correct Answer: AI

Reasoning & Clues:

1. Unusual subject matter for a poem: Combining botanical imagery with technical terms (“vectors,” “pixels”) is a telltale AI mash-up.
2. Forced rhyme scheme: The poem prioritizes rhyme over meaning, leading to awkward phrasing.
3. Lack of deeper metaphor: Emotional resonance is shallow; the lines feel constructed to fit a pattern.
4. Generic feel: No personal or cultural references anchor it in real experience.

4. Image Example A

Description: A crowded city street scene with perfectly symmetrical reflections in every window, and unusually smooth faces without skin texture.

Correct Answer: AI

Reasoning & Clues:

1. Unnatural symmetry: AI often mirrors architectural elements exactly, whereas real scenes have slight irregularities.
2. Smooth, textureless skin: Faces lack pores and tiny blemishes found in genuine photos.
3. Repetition of patterns: Windows and reflections look too uniform.
4. Metadata absence: If students check image properties, AI-generated images often lack camera EXIF data.

5. Image Example B

Description: A family photograph with imperfect lighting, natural skin tones, and a slight motion blur on the dog at the edge of frame.

Correct Answer: Real

Reasoning & Clues:

1. Imperfect lighting: Real photos frequently have uneven exposure or minor over/underexposed areas.
2. Natural skin variation: Subtle color shifts, small blemishes, and pores are visible.
3. Motion blur: The dog’s slight blur indicates a live capture rather than a synthesized freeze-frame.
4. Depth of field inconsistencies: Background and foreground show realistic focus variance.

Reflection Questions – Sample Responses

1. Why is it important to ask questions like “Who created this?” and “What purpose does this serve?” when you encounter text or images online?
• Helps identify potential biases or agendas behind the content.
• Reveals whether you can trust the source or need further verification.
• Encourages critical thinking instead of passive consumption.

2. Describe two digital literacy strategies you can use if you suspect a piece of content is AI-generated.

• Reverse Image Search: Upload an image to check for original sources or suspicious duplicates.
• Metadata Inspection: Examine EXIF data for camera info; lack of metadata can be a red flag.
• Context Verification: Cross-check facts or quotes with reputable websites and databases.
• AI Detection Tools: Use specialized software or browser extensions that flag AI-like language patterns.

3. How might the increasing use of AI in media affect your trust in what you read and see online?
• You may become more skeptical and question authenticity more often.
• Trust in sources may erode if you can’t easily distinguish real from fake.
• You’ll need stronger verification skills and rely on credible outlets.
• Digital literacy becomes essential to separate misinformation from reliable content.

Use this answer key to support grading and guide classroom discussions. Highlight these clues during debrief to empower students with practical strategies for navigating AI-driven media.

AI Trust Reflection Exit Ticket

Instructions: Please write your responses to the questions below. Use complete sentences and thoughtful reflection.

1. Why is it important to ask “Who created this?” and “What purpose does this serve?” when encountering text or images online?

1. List two digital literacy strategies you can use if you suspect content is AI-generated.

1. How might the increasing use of AI in media affect your trust in what you read and see online?

Spot the Bot Rubric

This rubric is designed to assess students’ performance on the Spot the Bot Worksheet and the AI Trust Reflection Exit Ticket. It aligns with the lesson objectives of accurately identifying AI vs. real content, using evidence-based reasoning, and reflecting on digital literacy strategies.

Scoring Guide:

• Exemplary (4 points): Demonstrates full mastery of objectives with precise, detailed evidence and deep reflection.
• Proficient (3 points): Meets objectives consistently with minor omissions; reasoning is clear.
• Developing (2 points): Shows partial understanding; reasoning or reflections lack detail or coherence.
• Beginning (1 point): Does not meet basic objectives; reasoning and reflections are minimal or incorrect.

Total possible points: 12 (4 points × 3 criteria)
A score of 9–12 indicates strong mastery, 5–8 indicates partial understanding with room to grow, and 1–4 indicates that reteaching or additional support may be needed.