AI Literacy Lesson Plan
Teach students to use AI tools effectively across the academic workflow—from brainstorming to editing—while developing critical evaluation skills.
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Before Class: Preparation Checklist
Print Materials
Technology Setup
Lesson Overview
Duration
70-90 minutes
Grade Level
9-12 / College
Focus
AI Tool Mastery
This lesson empowers students to use AI tools effectively across their entire academic workflow. Rather than focusing on what students shouldn't do, this lesson teaches practical AI applications that enhance learning—from brainstorming and research to outlining, editing, and studying.
Teaching Philosophy
Students will encounter AI throughout their careers. Our role is to teach them to use these tools skillfully, critically evaluate AI outputs, and understand when human judgment and original thinking matter most.
Learning Objectives
Activity Sequence
Activity 1: AI Brainstorming Lab
20 min"Think of AI as a brainstorming partner, not a writer. Today we're going to learn how to have a productive conversation with AI—one where YOU stay in control of your ideas, and AI helps you explore possibilities you might not have considered."
Demonstrate Weak vs. Strong Prompts
Guided Practice
Test Their Prompts
Walk around and look at student prompts. When you see a good one, ask permission to share it with the class. Peer examples are often more relatable than teacher-created ones.
Activity 2: Prompt Engineering Workshop
20 min"The difference between getting useless AI output and genuinely helpful output often comes down to how you ask. Let's learn the art of prompt engineering—yes, it's a real skill that professionals use!"
The Okay → Good → Great Framework
Transformation Practice
- "Explain photosynthesis"
- "Help me with my essay"
- "What are some good sources?"
Share and Refine
Students often get frustrated when AI gives generic responses. Before they blame the tool, ask: "Was your question specific enough that a human tutor would know exactly what you needed?"
Activity 3: AI Output Evaluation
20 min"Here's something important: AI can be confidently wrong. It might give you a perfectly formatted answer that contains errors or even made-up information. Your job is to be a critical evaluator, not a passive receiver."
Introduce the Evaluation Rubric
Evaluate Sample Outputs
Verification Strategies
The AI "hallucination" example is powerful—show an output that cites a made-up study with a fake author and journal. Students are often shocked that AI can fabricate citations with such confidence.
Students often assume AI is like Wikipedia—mostly reliable. Emphasize: "AI doesn't know what's true. It predicts what sounds right. Those are very different things."
Activity 4: Workflow Documentation
15 min"For your next major assignment, you're going to plan your AI workflow in advance. This isn't about restricting you—it's about being intentional. The best AI users know exactly when and why they're using it."
Introduce the Workflow Template
Plan a Real Assignment
Peer Review
Some students will try to plan AI for everything. Gently redirect: "If AI does all of this, what will YOU learn? What skills are you building?"
Activity 5: Tool Boundaries Discussion
15 min"Let's talk about the harder questions. When is AI truly helpful for your learning, and when does it actually get in the way of developing skills you'll need? There's no single right answer—let's explore together."
Scenario Cards
- Using AI to generate practice math problems for studying
- Having AI write your thesis statement
- Asking AI to explain a concept your textbook made confusing
- Using AI to check your grammar before submitting
- Having AI summarize a book you were supposed to read
Discuss the Grey Areas
Reflection Log
Some students think AI is either "cheating" or "totally fine." Push back on both: "It's not about whether AI is good or bad—it's about whether a specific use helps or hurts your learning and skill development."
Student Handouts
AI Prompt Templates Worksheet
Master the art of effective AI prompting with the Okay → Good → Great framework.
The quality of your AI output depends on the quality of your input. Use this guide to transform vague prompts into specific, effective ones.
| Task | Okay Prompt | Good Prompt | Great Prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brainstorming | "Give me ideas for my essay" | "Give me 5 essay topics about climate change" | "Give me 5 unique angles for an essay about [TOPIC], focusing on aspects that are often overlooked. For each, explain why it would be interesting to explore." |
| Research Help | "Explain this topic" | "Explain [TOPIC] in simple terms" | "Explain [TOPIC] in simple terms, then give me 3 specific questions I should research further, and suggest what types of sources would be most credible." |
| Outlining | "Create an outline" | "Create an outline for my [TYPE] essay" | "Create an outline for a [WORD COUNT] [TYPE] essay with this thesis: [THESIS]. Include 3 main points with 2-3 supporting details each." |
| Editing | "Fix my writing" | "Check this paragraph for errors" | "Review this paragraph for clarity and flow. Suggest specific improvements while maintaining my voice: [PARAGRAPH]" |
Practice: Transform These Prompts
1. Weak prompt: "Help me with my history project"
Write your Great version:
2. Weak prompt: "What are good sources for my topic?"
Write your Great version:
3. Weak prompt: "Explain the French Revolution"
Write your Great version:
Great Prompt Checklist
AI Output Evaluation Rubric
Critically evaluate AI-generated content before using it in your work.
AI can be confidently wrong. Use this rubric to evaluate every AI output before you use it.
| Criteria | Weak (1) | Adequate (2) | Strong (3) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Contains factual errors or unsupported claims | Mostly accurate but needs verification | Accurate, specific, and verifiable | ___ |
| Relevance | Off-topic or too generic | Somewhat relevant but lacks specificity | Directly addresses my question/need | ___ |
| Usefulness | Can't use as-is, must start over | Needs significant editing/development | Ready to build upon with minimal changes | ___ |
| Originality | Generic/cliché responses | Some unique insights | Fresh perspectives I hadn't considered | ___ |
| Completeness | Missing key information | Covers basics | Comprehensive and thorough | ___ |
| Total Score: | ___ /15 | |||
Verification Checklist
Before Using This Output:
What would I need to change or add before using this output in my work?
"AI Helped vs. I Did" Reflection Log
Document your AI-assisted workflow to build awareness and accountability.
Assignment/Task:
Date:
AI Helped Me With:
(e.g., brainstorming ideas, explaining a concept I didn't understand, suggesting search terms)
I Did This Myself:
(e.g., chose my thesis, developed my argument, wrote the analysis, formed conclusions)
Reflection Questions
What would have been harder without AI assistance?
What did I learn by doing parts myself that I couldn't have learned from AI?
If I used AI-generated text, how did I modify it to make it my own?
Would I be comfortable explaining everything in this work to my teacher?
Self-Assessment
Workflow Documentation Template
Plan your AI-assisted workflow before starting a major assignment.
Assignment:
Due Date:
Phase 1: Planning
Phase 2: Drafting
Phase 3: Revising
Before Using AI, Ask Yourself:
Strong vs. Weak Examples
Prompt Quality
"Write about climate change"
Result: Generic, unfocused response that could apply to any essay
"Give me 5 unique essay angles about climate change that focus on aspects often overlooked in mainstream coverage. For each angle, explain in 1-2 sentences why it would be interesting to explore and what sources I might use."
Result: Specific, useful ideas with direction for research
Why it works: The strong prompt specifies what you need (5 angles), adds context (often overlooked), and indicates what you'll do with it (sources to use).
Using AI Output
Student copies AI's explanation of photosynthesis directly into their assignment without modification or understanding.
Student uses AI's explanation to understand the concept, then writes their own explanation in their own words, adding an analogy they created: "It's like a solar-powered factory..."
Why it works: The strong usage treats AI as a learning tool, not a writing tool. The student gained understanding and developed their own voice.
AI Use Documentation
"I used AI for my essay."
"I used ChatGPT to brainstorm topic ideas (I chose the third suggestion about ocean acidification). I asked Claude to explain the chemistry in simpler terms, which helped me understand it enough to write my own explanation. All analysis and arguments are my original thinking."
Why it works: Strong documentation shows exactly what AI did and didn't do, demonstrating transparency and ownership of the work.
Common Student Mistakes & Interventions
Copy-Paste Without Understanding
Students use AI text without comprehending it, leading to work they can't explain or defend.
Over-Trusting AI Accuracy
Students assume AI outputs are factually correct, including citations that may be fabricated.
Weak Prompting
Students use vague prompts and blame the tool when they get generic, unhelpful results.
Using AI for Skill-Building Tasks
Students use AI for tasks specifically designed to develop their thinking and writing abilities.
No Documentation of AI Use
Students can't explain what AI helped with, making it impossible to assess their learning.
AI Applications in Academic Work
Brainstorming & Ideation
Generate topic ideas, explore angles, and overcome creative blocks
Skills students develop:
Example prompt:
"Give me 5 unique angles for an essay about renewable energy, focusing on aspects that are often overlooked"
Research Assistance
Find sources, understand complex concepts, and identify research gaps
Skills students develop:
Example prompt:
"Explain the key debates around carbon capture technology in simple terms, and suggest 3 peer-reviewed journals where I might find sources"
Outlining & Structure
Organize ideas, develop argument structures, and plan paper flow
Skills students develop:
Example prompt:
"Create an outline for a 2000-word argumentative essay with this thesis: [thesis]. Include 3 main supporting points with sub-arguments"
Editing & Revision
Improve grammar, enhance clarity, and refine academic style
Skills students develop:
Example prompt:
"Review this paragraph for clarity and suggest improvements while maintaining my voice: [paragraph]"
Study & Comprehension
Generate practice questions, create study materials, master concepts
Skills students develop:
Example prompt:
"Create 10 practice questions about photosynthesis ranging from recall to application level, then provide answers with explanations"
Differentiation Strategies
Emerging Learners
Students new to AI tools who need structured guidance and simplified options.
- •Provide pre-written prompts to copy and modify
- •Focus on ONE AI application per class session
- •Pair with a peer mentor for guided practice
- •Use simplified evaluation rubric (3 criteria only)
- •Provide sentence starters for reflection logs
Developing Learners
Students with some AI experience who benefit from structured practice.
- •Use the full prompt templates worksheet
- •Complete all four handouts with guidance
- •Participate in structured group discussions
- •Teacher models before independent practice
- •Complete reflection log with partner check
Proficient Learners
Experienced AI users ready for critical analysis and peer leadership.
- •Create original prompts without templates
- •Compare multiple AI tools for same task
- •Lead peer teaching demonstrations
- •Analyze AI limitations systematically
- •Design custom workflows for complex projects
ELL Accommodations
Support for English Language Learners using AI tools effectively.
- •Visual prompt templates with icons
- •Allow AI explanations in home language first
- •Pre-teach vocabulary: prompt, output, hallucination, verify
- •Provide bilingual example prompts
- •Accept verbal workflow explanations
Time Adaptations
Quick Version
- • Focus on ONE AI application (brainstorming recommended)
- • Quick 10-min demo with live prompting
- • Skip handouts 3-4, use handout 1 only
- • Brief exit ticket reflection instead of full log
Standard
- • Complete all four activities as designed
- • Use all four student handouts
- • Full class discussion on AI boundaries
- • Individual workflow documentation
Extended
- • All activities plus peer teaching component
- • Portfolio documentation with screenshots
- • Compare multiple AI tools for same tasks
- • Extended ethical discussion with case studies
Materials & Tools
Assessment Rubric
| Criteria | Developing (1) | Proficient (2) | Mastery (3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prompt Quality | Vague prompts producing generic outputs | Clear prompts that get useful results | Sophisticated prompts that iterate for best results |
| Output Evaluation | Accepts AI output without verification | Checks some facts and identifies obvious errors | Systematically verifies accuracy and identifies limitations |
| Appropriate Use | Uses AI when own thinking is needed | Usually chooses appropriate AI vs. self tasks | Consistently knows when AI helps learning vs. replaces it |
| Documentation | Cannot explain AI role in work | Can describe AI assistance generally | Detailed documentation of AI workflow and reasoning |
| Critical Thinking | Relies on AI for analysis | Uses AI for info, adds some analysis | Uses AI as starting point, adds significant original analysis |
Extension Activities
AI Portfolio Project
- Screenshots of prompts used
- How they evaluated/modified AI outputs
- Reflection on what they learned vs. what AI provided
- What they would do differently next time
AI Tool Comparison
- Which gave better results for different tasks?
- How did responses differ in style, accuracy, depth?
- What are each tool's strengths and limitations?
- Present findings to class
Key Discussion Questions
When is AI most helpful in your workflow?
Guide discussion toward: initial brainstorming, understanding difficult concepts, catching errors, generating practice questions
When should you rely on your own thinking instead of AI?
Guide discussion toward: forming original arguments, developing personal voice, critical analysis, creative expression
How do you verify that AI-generated information is accurate?
Guide discussion toward: checking sources, cross-referencing, expert knowledge, healthy skepticism
Why does transparency about AI use matter?
Guide discussion toward: academic honesty, skill development, professional expectations, trust
Related Resources
AI Guide Hub →
Explore all AI-assisted learning strategies
AI Brainstorming Guide →
Generate and refine ideas with AI assistance
AI Research Assistant →
Use AI to accelerate your research process
AI Editing Guide →
Improve clarity and polish with AI feedback
Research Skills Lesson →
Develop effective research and evaluation skills
Source Integration Lesson →
Master quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing
Citation Skills Lesson →
Build proper citation and attribution habits