In this episode, I chat with Lori Cohen, education consultant, coach, and author of The Science of Lesson Planning, about what the science of lesson planning looks like in the age of AI. You’ll also hear her human first, human last approach to using AI as a planning companion, where AI falls short, and how rituals can make planning feel sustainable instead of overwhelming. If you want to strengthen your lesson planning practice this school year, this episode has you covered!
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Tips for The Science of Lesson Planning in the Age of AI
- Take a first pass at your lesson plan yourself or with your grade level team before turning to AI.
- Ground your AI prompts in a deep understanding of your students, naming the content area, the range of learners, and the standard.
- Watch for bias and hallucinations in AI outputs and keep verifying sources.
- Work through an AI-generated lesson as if you were the student, to spot pain points and missing pieces before you teach it.
SPONSORED BY ME!
If your school or district is planning professional learning for this school year, I would love to join you. I lead keynotes, workshops, and virtual sessions for educators on everything from artificial intelligence to EdTech strategies that stick. Whether you’re bringing me in for a full day or a one-hour virtual session, we’ll make it practical and packed with ideas teachers can use right away. Head to ClassTechTips.com and click the “Work With Monica” button at the top of the page to learn more or send an email to hello@classtechtips.com Check it out here >>
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EPISODE RESOURCES
- Connect with Lori Cohen on LinkedIn & Instagram
- Learn more about Lori’s work at https://www.loricohenconsulting.com/
- The PD Book: 7 Habits That Transform Professional Development (Lori’s book)
- Integrating Educator Well-Being, Growth, and Evaluation: Four Foundations for Leaders (Lori’s book)
- The Science of Lesson Planning: High-Impact Practices That Deepen Student Learning (2026) (Lori’s book coming September 2026)
- AI Strategies from an Instructional Supervisor with Amir Taron Ayres (Podcast Episode)
- 4 AI Chatbot Tips for Teachers to Go Beyond the Basics (Blog Post)
- Quick Ways to Use AI for Tasks That Take Too Long (Podcast Episode)
- Tips for Having Coaching Conversations About AI with Educators (Blog Post)
