Creating a Lesson Plan with AI: A Teacher's Guide

It was about time I updated my AI prompts list.

I have been using the same prompts since 2022, and I wanted AI to help me update and revise the old list.

Why?

Many things have changed in the world of Teaching, Learning, and Education since 2022.

One of the most radical disruptors that has changed this world is Artificial Intelligence.

Those teachers and educators who embrace AI and learn how to:

• use it as an assistant,
• integrate it into their classrooms, and
• facilitate their work-life with it (planning, researching, organising, and creating new insights)

will have the upper hand over those who don't.

Those teachers and educators who remain reluctant (for whatever reason) will be left behind.

Do not give in to all the fear-mongers and naysayers.

Time will prove those "chicken littles" are on the wrong side of human technological innovation and development. It's just that simple.

Remember - AI will not replace teachers in the classroom.

Those teachers who do not embrace AI will be replaced by those teachers who see the opportunities before them and take action to futureproof their careers. The biggest risk you can take is to take no risks at all.

NOTE: Work SMART

• When using these prompts, use AI platforms that have voice functions.
• Free your hands
• Don't type the prompts.
• Get your headphones on (with a microphone)
• AirPods are even better
• Speak the prompts into the AI platform.
• Before speaking the prompts into the AI platform, script the prompts in the order you think is logical sequencing.
• This will optimize the interactions with AI and deliver better results.
• Your learners (young learners, high school students, and university students) are already working this way.

First, here is the old list of prompts:

1.      List 10 essential concepts or ideas my learners should be learning about the topic of…….

• The list should contain a small explanation of why my learners should be learning these concepts or ideas in connection with the principles of Deeper Learning.

2.      Using the Inquiry-Based Approach, what 25 questions can I ask my learners about the topic of ………

3.      What 50 words, terms, or phrases are related to the topic of ……

• Please list everything in alphabetical order with a short definition of each word, term, or phrase.

4.      Using the concept of Experiential Learning, what 12 questions can I ask my learners about the topic of………

5.      Using the concept of Narrative Inquiry, what 12 questions can my learners ask themselves about the topic of………….

6.      Using the concept of Reflective Practice, what 12 questions can I ask my learners about the topic of …………

7.      Using the methodology of Project-Based Learning, what 12 driving questions can my learners ask themselves about the topic of ……….

8.      What 12 real-world projects can my learners create to learn more about the topic of ……

9.      Please create an overview of a lesson plan based on the methodology of Project-Based Learning on the topic of ……

• The lesson plan should be an extended learning cycle of about 40 hours of classroom time.

10. Based on the lesson plan generated, please create a rubric for assessing the projects.

a.      The rubric should have a part for language elements, which should not be more than 10%.

11. Using the concept of Formative Assessment, what 10 questions can I ask my learners during a formative assessment session or a one-to-one conferencing session?

12. Based upon the concept of Needs Analysis and Diagnostic Assessment, what 12 questions can I ask my learners to determine their prior knowledge on the topic of…….

Revised prompts – according to Artificial Intelligence

Here's a revised and expanded set of prompts incorporating the suggestions for creating a 360-degree lesson plan. Aim for clarity, specificity, and a broader scope.

Lesson Foundations & Objectives

1. List 10 essential concepts or ideas my learners should learn about [Specific Topic]. For each concept, explain its relevance to deeper learning principles and real-world applications."

  2. „Identify the relevant curriculum standards for [Specific Topic] and explain how this lesson plan aligns with those standards and objectives."

  3. Formulate 3-5 overarching learning objectives for the [Specific Topic] lesson, ensuring they encompass cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains."

II. Inquiry and Engagement

4. Using the Inquiry-Based Approach, generate 25 thought-provoking questions to spark student curiosity and investigation about [Specific Topic]. Organize these questions to facilitate a dialogic learning approach and suggest how a mind map or graphic organizer could be used."

  5. Using the Experiential Learning concept, what 12 questions can learners ask themselves to connect [Specific Topic] to their own experiences and prior knowledge?"

  6. Using the Narrative Inquiry concept, what 12 questions can learners explore to investigate [Specific Topic] through storytelling, personal narratives, or case studies?"

  7. Using the Project-Based Learning methodology, what 12 driving questions can learners ask themselves to frame meaningful projects related to [Specific Topic]?"

III. Content and Skill Development

8. „Identify 50 key words, terms, or phrases related to [Specific Topic]. List them alphabetically with concise definitions. Suggest 3 activities that utilize these terms to support front-loading, vocabulary development, or pre-knowledge assessment."

  9. Describe 3 activities that promote collaboration and communication among learners as they learn about [Specific Topic]."

  10. "Design 2 problem-solving scenarios related to [Specific Topic] that require learners to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills."

  11. "Considering visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles, suggest 3 engaging activities for each style to teach the core concepts of [Specific Topic]."

  12. "Suggest 3 digital tools or technologies that could enhance student learning and engagement in a lesson about [Specific Topic]. Explain how each tool supports specific learning objectives."

IV. Project and Application

13. "What 12 real-world projects can learners create to demonstrate their understanding and application of [Specific Topic]? Offer 3 project options that allow for student choice and agency."

  14. "Create an overview of a comprehensive lesson plan based on the Project-Based Learning methodology for [Specific Topic]. The plan should span approximately 40 hours of classroom time and detail the learning cycle."

V. Assessment and Reflection

15. "Develop a detailed rubric for assessing student projects related to [Specific Topic], including criteria for content knowledge, skills application, creativity, and presentation. Limit language elements to 10% of the rubric."

  16. "Using the concept of Formative Assessment, what 10 questions can I ask learners during learning activities or one-on-one conferences to gauge their understanding of [Specific Topic] and provide timely feedback?"

  17. "Based on Needs Analysis and Diagnostic Assessment principles, what 12 questions can I ask learners to determine their pre-knowledge, misconceptions, and learning needs related to [Specific Topic]?"

  18. "Generate a list of 5 varied assessment methods (beyond traditional tests) to evaluate student learning of [Specific Topic], such as peer assessment, self-assessment, portfolios, presentations, and performance tasks. Describe how each method aligns with specific learning objectives."

  19. "What guiding questions can I use to reflect on the effectiveness of my lesson on [Specific Topic], student engagement, the use of varied instructional strategies, and areas for improvement in future lessons?"

  20. "How can I differentiate instruction on [Specific Topic] to meet the diverse needs of learners in my classroom, including learners with learning disabilities, English language learners, and gifted learners? Provide 5 specific differentiation strategies."

AI Prompts for Language Skills Development

Prompts for Reading Development

• What articles from the Internet can you recommend to support the topic of [Specific Topic]. Please create a list of 10 articles.
• What Internet sites can you recommend that support the topic of [Specific Topic]. Please create a list of 10

After you have collected the articles you feel fit into your teaching and learning context, upload them to your AI platform. Ask AI to write ONE article from the articles you upload.

Then, ask AI to create a vocabulary list and quiz from the article generated.

Example of prompts:

1. Create a vocabulary list from the text. Please give a defintion for each word with an example sentence. The list should be in alphabetical order.
2. Create a reading comprehension mulitple-choice quiz from the text. The quiz should have 15 questions. Each question should have 3 options. Please include a key for the quiz as well.

Prompts for Listening Development

• What YouTube videos can you recommend supporting the topic of [Specific Topic]. Please create a list of 10 possibilities.
• What podcast can you recommend supporting the topic of [Specific Topic]. Please create a list of 10 possibilities
• What documentaries that are available on the Internet can you recommend supporting the topic of [Specific Topic]. Create a list of 10 possibilites.

Prompts for Writing Development

• Create a list of 10 writing prompts that I can use with my students to develop their writing skills for the topic of [Specific Topic]. Please use the approach of inquiry-based learning to create the writing prompts. The writing prompts should integrate the concept of contrast and comparison, and debate.

Prompts for Speaking Development

• Create a list of 10 speaking prompts that I can use with my students to develop their speaking skills for the topic of [Specific Topic]. The speaking prompts should integrate the concept of contrast and comparison, and debate.
• Create a list of 15 questions I can use as a warm-up activity for the topic of [Specific Topic]. The questions should follow the Inquiry-based approach and support collaborative learning. Please detail what each question should elicit from my students. Give examples for each question you suugest.

These prompts provide a comprehensive framework for developing a 360-degree lesson plan, addressing various learning dimensions, and promoting deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.

Remember to replace " [Specific Topic]" with the actual topic of your lesson.

AI even gave me more ideas to add to my prompts list.

Here are the additional prompt suggestions:

1.  "Considering visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles, suggest 3 activities for each style to teach the topic of [topic]."

2.  "What are 5 ways to differentiate instruction on [topic] for learners with varying levels of understanding?"

3.  "Suggest 3 digital tools or technologies that could enhance student learning and engagement in a lesson about [topic]."

4.  "Create 3 activities that promote collaboration and communication among learners learning about [topic]."

5.  "Design 2 problem-solving scenarios related to [topic] that will require learners to apply critical thinking skills."

6.  "Generate a list of 5 different assessment methods (beyond quizzes and tests) that could be used to evaluate student learning of [topic]."

7.  "What guiding questions can I use to reflect on the effectiveness of my lesson on [topic], student engagement, and areas for improvement?"

8.  "List the relevant curriculum standards for [topic] and explain how this lesson plan aligns with those standards."

9.  "Offer 3 project options related to [topic] that allow learners to choose based on their interests."

By addressing these points, you can create a more comprehensive and robust set of prompts for designing a truly 360-degree lesson plan.