Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere—from search engines to classroom tools—but many students are using AI before they understand what it actually is.
That’s why we created the first video in our new AI tutorial series: What Is an LLM? In under two minutes, this video introduces one of the most important concepts in AI literacy: the Large Language Model (LLM).
If you’re teaching students about AI, computational thinking, or digital literacy, understanding LLMs is a foundational place to begin.
Watch the Video: What Is an LLM?
In this short tutorial, students learn:
- What LLM stands for
- How large language models work at a high level
- Why LLMs power many of the AI tools students recognize today
- How AI can support learning when used as a tool alongside student thinking
Designed for classroom use, the video introduces the concept in student-friendly language without oversimplifying the technology.
What Is a Large Language Model (LLM)?
A Large Language Model, or LLM, is a type of artificial intelligence trained on enormous amounts of text so it can recognize patterns in language and generate responses.
Tools powered by LLMs can help users:
- Ask questions and explore ideas
- Brainstorm and organize thinking
- Draft, revise, and reflect
- Solve problems through guided support
For students, understanding what an LLM is helps move AI from “magic tool” to something they can analyze, question, and use responsibly.
That’s a critical part of AI literacy education.
Why Students Should Learn About LLMs
Before students can use AI well, they need to understand what’s behind it.
Introducing large language models helps students begin to:
Build Foundational AI Literacy: Understanding how AI works is a first step toward responsible and informed use.
Strengthen Critical Thinking: Students can better evaluate AI-generated responses when they know AI is pattern-based, not all-knowing.
Use AI as a Learning Partner: When framed correctly, AI supports curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving—rather than replacing student thinking. That’s the mindset we believe matters most: AI should work alongside students, not do the work for them.
Bringing AI Into the Classroom Starts with the Basics
For educators exploring AI in the classroom, foundational concepts matter.
Starting with simple topics like “What is an LLM?” can open the door to richer conversations around:
- Prompting and responsible AI use
- Machine learning basics
- Bias and reliability in AI systems
- Human creativity vs. AI generation
- How AI tools can support learning
And it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes a two-minute introduction is enough to spark meaningful questions.
Start Teaching AI Literacy with Confidence
If you’re looking for ways to introduce artificial intelligence for students, this is a simple place to start.
To dig deeper into AI integration in the classroom, check out the Foundations of AI curriculum, a collection of framework-aligned lessons for students in grades 5-12 that build AI literacy through a hands-on approach.
