AI Lesson Plans – How to Write Them and 11 Useable Examples

AI for educators isn’t as simple as asking your students to jump onto ChatGPT.

So if you’re looking to incorporate AI into your lesson plans, or looking for lesson plans that focus on AI, you’re in the right place. The Education Perfect team has put together a guide on writing AI lesson plans, as well as 11 usable examples you can use with your class today!

Importance of AI Lesson Plans

Preparing Your Students for Future Careers

In today’s classrooms, integrating AI isn’t just an option—it’s essential. As technology reshapes careers, you must equip students with skills to thrive in an AI-driven world.

AI lesson plans introduce basic concepts like machine learning and automation, vital not only for future technologists but also for fields like healthcare, finance, and the arts.

Understanding AI helps students develop independent learning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, paving the way for various career paths. Additionally, exposure to AI can encourage students to pursue STEM careers, meeting growing demands.

Crafting Effective AI Lesson Plans

5 Key Components for Success

Define Clear Learning Objectives

Ensure clarity in learning objectives. Decide whether students should grasp basic AI concepts or delve into advanced applications.

Incorporate Interactive Elements

Boost engagement by incorporating hands-on activities. Use coding exercises or AI simulations to help students apply theoretical knowledge.

Emphasise Differentiation

Differentiation caters to different learning paces and styles. Offer multiple resources and varied complexity levels to ensure effective material comprehension.

Highlight Real-World Relevance

Stress the importance of connecting AI concepts to everyday scenarios to help students understand the technology’s impact and encourage critical thinking.

Implement Assessment and Feedback

Make assessment and feedback a priority to gauge understanding and guide future lessons. Regular check-ins and adaptive feedback can track progress and tailor instruction.

Avoiding Over-reliance on AI

AI can be used as an aid or as a crutch; so here’s how to tell when AI is being leaned on too heavily:

• Dependence on AI for completing tasks, leading to a neglect of manual problem-solving skills.

• Reduced cultivation of creativity, empathy, and ethical reasoning among students.

• Acceptance of AI outputs without questioning or recognising potential biases and limitations.

• Insufficient emphasis on critical thinking and human judgment in educational activities.

• Minimal engagement in discussions regarding the societal impacts and ethical implications of AI.

• Decline in teamwork and collaborative projects that enhance interpersonal skills and diverse perspectives.

Practical AI Lesson Plan Examples

Teaching about AI involves introducing students to core concepts and applications. Here are six effective lesson plan examples:

Introduction to AI

• Topic: Understanding AI: History, Types, and Definitions

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Whiteboard, markers, projector, presentation slides with simple AI examples, handouts with key terms

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin by introducing the concept of AI, outlining its historical development and different types through a brief presentation (15 minutes).

2. Discuss simple definitions of AI and show relatable examples on the slides (10 minutes).

3. Engage the class in a Q&A session to clarify definitions and concepts (10 minutes).

4. Hand out written materials highlighting key AI terms and have students read these (10 minutes).

5. Conclude with a short quiz to assess initial understanding and address any remaining questions (15 minutes).

AI in Everyday Life

• Topic: Exploring AI in Daily Applications

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Smartphones, tablets, computers, internet access, digital assistants like Alexa or Google Home

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Start with a group discussion on everyday devices students use that incorporate AI (10 minutes).

2. Divide the class into small groups and assign each a device or application (smartphones, digital assistants, etc.) to explore its AI features (15 minutes).

3. Each group presents their findings to the class, highlighting AI functionalities (20 minutes).

4. Facilitate a group discussion on how these AI features impact daily life and make predictions about future uses (10 minutes).

5. Summarise the applications discussed and their significance in modern society (5 minutes).

Machine Learning Basics

• Topic: Introduction to Machine Learning Concepts

• Time: 1.5 hours

• Materials Needed: Visual aids (charts, diagrams), projector, tutorial videos, sample datasets

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin with a brief introduction to machine learning and its differences from AI (10 minutes).

2. Use visual aids to explain how machines learn from data, accompanied by tutorial videos (20 minutes).

3. Conduct a simple, interactive demonstration using a sample dataset to illustrate learning processes (30 minutes).

4. Facilitate a discussion on real-world machine learning applications, encouraging students to think of additional examples (20 minutes).

5. Wrap up with a quick recap and answer questions (10 minutes).

Ethical AI

• Topic: Debating Ethical Considerations of AI

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Case study handouts, whiteboard, markers

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin by introducing key ethical issues related to AI such as privacy, bias, and job displacement (10 minutes).

2. Hand out case studies illustrating these issues for students to read (10 minutes).

3. Split the class into small groups, assigning each a case study to analyze and prepare arguments for a debate (20 minutes).

4. Conduct the debate, with groups presenting their cases and counterarguments (15 minutes).

5. Conclude with a class discussion on the broader ethical implications of AI, fostering critical thinking (5 minutes).

AI and Robotics

• Topic: Understanding AI in Robotics

• Time: 1.5 hours

• Materials Needed: Simple robotics kits, internet access, video demonstrations

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Initiate the lesson with an overview of how AI is integrated into robotics (10 minutes).

2. Show video demonstrations of robots using AI to perform tasks (10 minutes).

3. Divide the class into small groups and provide each with a simple robotics kit to assemble and program basic functions (45 minutes).

4. Guide students as they test their robots, focusing on AI-driven behaviours (15 minutes).

5. Gather reflections from the groups, discussing challenges and successes encountered (10 minutes).

AI Programming

• Topic: Building Basic AI Models

• Time: 2 hours

• Materials Needed: Laptops or computers, internet access, programming environment (such as Scratch or Blockly), example programs

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Introduce students to beginner-friendly programming environments suitable for creating AI models (15 minutes).

2. Provide a walkthrough of an example program, explaining the core components of AI model development (30 minutes).

3. Assign students to create their own simple AI model projects using the programming environment (60 minutes).

4. Encourage students to test and iterate on their models, offering guidance and feedback as needed (10 minutes).

5. Conclude with student presentations of their projects, highlighting innovations and learning outcomes (5 minutes).

These examples provide a comprehensive foundation, engaging students with both theoretical and practical aspects of AI.

AI as a Supplementary Tool: 5 Examples

AI can effectively supplement traditional teaching methods, enhancing learning experiences across subjects. Here are five examples:

Language Learning

• Topic: Enhancing Language Skills Using AI

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Smartphones or tablets with AI-powered language apps, headphones

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Introduce the lesson by explaining how AI can assist in language learning through interactive apps (10 minutes).

2. Demonstrate a few AI-powered language apps, highlighting their functionality, such as vocabulary practice and pronunciation feedback (10 minutes).

3. Allow students to choose a language app to explore, setting specific vocabulary or pronunciation goals (15 minutes).

4. Have students complete a set of exercises, using the app to receive personalised feedback (15 minutes).

5. Conclude with a group discussion, asking students to share their experiences and any improvement in language skills (10 minutes).

Math Tutoring

• Topic: Reinforcing Math Concepts with AI Tutoring Systems

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Computers or tablets, internet access, AI-based math tutoring software

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin with an overview of AI tutoring systems and their role in providing personalised math guidance (10 minutes).

2. Demonstrate how to navigate and use the AI-based math tutoring software (10 minutes).

3. Assign students a series of math problems to solve using the software, ensuring they access step-by-step guidance and adaptive exercises (20 minutes).

4. Facilitate a feedback session where students discuss what they learned and any challenges faced (10 minutes).

5. Wrap up with a summary of how AI tools can support math learning (10 minutes).

Science Experiments

• Topic: Exploring Scientific Phenomena through AI Simulations

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Computers, internet access, AI simulation software for science

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Introduce students to the concept of AI simulations and their use in modeling scientific phenomena (10 minutes).

2. Demonstrate an AI simulation of a scientific experiment, explaining the variables and parameters involved (10 minutes).

3. Allow students to choose a simulation to work on, experimenting with different variables to observe outcomes (20 minutes).

4. Organise a debrief where students present their findings and discuss the significance of AI in understanding complex scientific concepts (15 minutes).

5. Conclude with a reflection on the benefits of using simulations for science education (5 minutes).

Creative Writing

• Topic: Enhancing Writing Skills with AI Tools

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Computers with internet access, AI writing assistance software

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin by introducing AI tools designed to assist in the creative writing process, highlighting features such as grammar checking and idea generation (10 minutes).

2. Demonstrate how to use the AI writing tool to draft and edit a short piece, emphasising the tool’s assistance rather than reliance (10 minutes).

3. Assign students to write a short story or essay, using the AI tool for guidance on improving grammar and generating ideas (20 minutes).

4. Have students share their written pieces with the class, discussing how the AI tool contributed to their writing process (15 minutes).

5. Summarise the session by reflecting on the balance between AI assistance and creative originality (5 minutes).

History Projects

• Topic: Analysing Historical Data with AI

• Time: 1 hour

• Materials Needed: Computers, historical datasets, AI analytical tools

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Introduce the concept of using AI to analyse historical data, focusing on pattern recognition and predictions (10 minutes).

2. Demonstrate how to input historical data into an AI analytical tool and interpret the results (10 minutes).

3. Divide the class into groups, assigning each a dataset to analyse and extract patterns using the AI tool (20 minutes).

4. Have each group present their analysis, discussing findings and implications for understanding historical trends (15 minutes).

5. Conclude with an evaluation of how AI enhances the study of history by providing new insights (5 minutes).

Looking for an AI tool that makes the feedback loop instantaneous?

Education Perfect has an AI tool that can guide students towards a better understanding in real-time, meaning less pressure on you, and more time for them to practice their learning correctly.

To see how it can work for you and your students, book a time with us today!