AI in the Classroom: Teaching, Learning, and LD Support

By Dr. Todd Cunningham, C.Psych.

Rethinking AI in the Classroom

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in education, offering both opportunities and challenges. Since the development of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Quillbot, the use of AI in the classroom has raised concerns among educators that students might rely on AI to complete their work for them—whether it’s writing an essay, solving a problem, or creating a project. These concerns are valid. The power of AI lies in its ability to generate high-quality content with minimal effort. For instance, when asked to write an essay, AI can produce work that meets the standards of a first-year university level, earning a B+ grade. However, with some refinement, it can even tailor its output to a grade 10 level.

This capability highlights a longstanding issue in education: students often focus more on the product of their work rather than the process of learning. For instance, how many times have we heard students ask, “How many pages does this need to be?” or “What’s the minimum I need to do to pass?” Consequently, this focus on the end result can overshadow the critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that educators aim to cultivate.

However, AI presents an opportunity to shift mindset. By engaging with AI in the classroom, educators can harness a powerful tool for planning and teaching and students can begin to refocus on the process of learning. Think of AI as an expert collaborator—a virtual assistant for you and a virtual mentor that students can bounce ideas off, ask questions, and use to navigate the steps needed to achieve their learning goals. Furthermore, AI can provide immediate, accurate, and personalized support, reducing workload for educators and students’ reliance on teachers or parents for guidance.

Using AI to Support Educators

But to harness AI in the classroom effectively, educators must first understand how it works and how to integrate it into the classroom in a way that enhances learning rather than replacing it. This begins with rethinking how we design lessons and activities to leverage AI as a tool for fostering deeper engagement and understanding.

To explore this further, let’s start with something familiar to every teacher: creating a lesson plan.

How AI Works and How to Write Effective Prompts

At its core, artificial intelligence (AI) is a computer system designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, solving problems, or recognizing patterns. AI works by processing large amounts of data and using algorithms—step-by-step instructions—to identify patterns, make predictions, or generate responses. For example, when a student asks an AI tool like ChatGPT a question, the system analyzes the input, compares it to the vast amount of text it has been trained on, and generates a response that is most likely to be accurate or helpful. Importantly, AI doesn’t “think” like humans do; instead, it relies on statistical patterns and probabilities to provide answers or complete tasks. In the classroom, this means AI can act as a powerful assistant, offering instant feedback, personalized support, or creative ideas—but it’s up to educators to guide students in using it thoughtfully and critically.

To make the most of AI tools, educators need to know how to communicate with them effectively. This is where prompt engineering comes in. A well-crafted prompt ensures that the AI understands exactly what you want it to do. In particular, when writing prompts, educators should consider four main components.

The Four Key Elements of an Effective AI Prompt

Element	Description	Example
Persona	The persona defines the character or role that the AI should assume. This can significantly impact the tone and style of the AI's responses.	"Imagine you are a math tutor helping a high school student understand algebra. Explain the concept of quadratic equations."
Task	The task specifies what you want the AI to do. It can be anything from explaining a concept, creating a lesson plan, or generating questions for an exam.	"Create a lesson plan for a 60-minute class on the basics of photosynthesis for 8th-grade students."
Context	Providing context helps the AI understand the background or setting for the task. This can include the subject matter, the audience, and any specific requirements.	"Generate a worksheet on ancient Egypt for 6th graders that includes both multiple-choice and short-answer questions."
Format	The format dictates how the response should be structured. This can include the style of writing, the layout, or any specific elements that should be included.	"Draft a parent-teacher conference email that summarizes a student's progress, highlights strengths, and suggests areas for improvement."

By incorporating these four elements—persona, task, context, and format—educators can craft prompts that guide the AI to generate accurate, relevant, and useful responses. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of AI tools but also ensures that the outputs align with educational goals and standards. It is also important that educators teach students on how to create prompts so that they can understand how to harness the power of AI to help them in the process of learning.

Apply AI prompts to Lesson Plan Development

Developing lesson plans can take a lot of time. So, let’s create a prompt that will help you to develop long range goals for your lesson. To do this, let’s consider that we are grade 7 science teachers teaching a lesson on matter and energy. Here’s a framework for writing effective prompts:

Persona: Define the role the AI should assume (e.g., “Act as a curriculum specialist”).

Task: Specify what you want the AI to do (e.g., “Create a lesson plan”).

Context: Provide background information (e.g., “For Grade 7 Science on separating mixtures”).

Format: Outline how the response should be structured (e.g., “Include an introduction, activities, and assessment”).

By combining these elements, educators can guide AI to generate outputs that are tailored to their needs. Below is an example of a prompt.

Crafting Effective AI Prompt for Lesson Planning: An Example

Act as a curriculum specialist.

Create a 60-minute lesson plan for Grade 7 Science on Matter and Energy: Pure Substances and Mixtures.

The Specific Expectations are:

C2.1 demonstrate an understanding of the particle theory of matter

C2.2 use particle theory to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures

C2.3 distinguish between homogenous and heterogenous mixtures

C2.4 use the particle theory to describe how different factors affect the solubility of a substance and the rate at which it dissolves

C2.5 describe the concentration of a saturated solution in both qualitative and quantitative terms, and differentiate between saturated and unsaturated solutions

C2.6 explain why water is referred to as the universal solvent

C2.7 explain various processes used to separate mixtures, including solutions, into their components, and identify some applications of these processes

C2.8 describe pure substances as elements and compounds consisting of atoms and combinations of atoms.

Include an engaging introduction, hands-on activities, and differentiated tasks.

Format the lesson plan with clear headings for each section.

AI for differentiated instruction

AI can help educators adapt lessons for students with diverse learning needs. To begin, start by sharing your lesson and specifying student profiles, such as:

LD in Reading: AI suggests visual aids, audio materials, and simplified instructions.

ADHD: AI recommends hands-on activities, movement breaks, and chunked tasks.

Disengaged Learners: AI proposes real-world connections, student choice, and gamification.

Gifted Students: AI offers advanced questions, independent projects, and peer teaching opportunities.

Example Prompt: “Adapt my Grade 5 water cycle lesson for students with LD in reading, ADHD, disengagement, and giftedness. Provide specific strategies for each profile.”

For English Language Learnings (ELL), AI can help differentiate lessons by simplifying language and building vocabulary. For example, if teaching a Grade 5 science lesson on ecosystems, the teacher could:

Pre-Teach Key Vocabulary:
Prompt: “Generate a list of 10 essential vocabulary terms for a lesson on ecosystems, tailored for an ELL student at an intermediate English level. Include simple definitions and example sentences.”
AI might suggest terms like habitat, producer, and food chain, with definitions like, “A habitat is the place where an animal lives.”

Adapt Materials:
Prompt: “Rewrite this paragraph about ecosystems at a Grade 2 reading level for an ELL student.”
AI simplifies the text, making it accessible while retaining key concepts.

AI generates tailored suggestions, making lessons inclusive and engaging for all learners.

Other examples of using AI to differentiate in a classroom

Below are some other ways that teachers can use AI in the classroom to support student learning. The teacher carefully reviews AI-generated content to ensure its accuracy and appropriateness.

AI Prompts to Support Classroom Differentiation

Learning Tool	Description	Teacher's Prompt
Math Word Problems	Worksheets that present real-life scenarios requiring mathematical solutions to enhance problem-solving skills.	"As an expert math teacher, create a worksheet with real-life math problems involving {Type of Operations}."
Reading Comprehension	Passages followed by questions to test students' understanding and analytical skills in literature and informational texts.	"As an expert teacher, design a reading comprehension worksheet with a short story followed by questions on main ideas and details. Insured that the reading level is at a grade {Grade level}"
Grammar Practice	Exercises focusing on parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and proper grammar usage.	"As an expert teacher, generate a worksheet with exercises on identifying and using different parts of speech correctly. Have the worksheet target the following parts of speech {add parts of speech}"
Science Experiments	Worksheets outlining simple experiments with steps, observations, and conclusions to reinforce scientific inquiry and method.	"As an expert teacher, create a worksheet detailing a simple science experiment, including steps, materials, and questions for observations. In class the students are currently learning {TOPIC}. Format as a table."
Social Studies Maps	Activities involving reading, labeling, and interpreting maps to enhance geographical knowledge and spatial thinking.	"As an expert teacher, develop a worksheet where students label and interpret various features on a world map. The words being taught are {List words}."
Vocabulary Building	Lists of new words with definitions, usage in sentences, and matching exercises to expand students' vocabulary.	"As an expert teacher, design a vocabulary worksheet with words, their definitions, and exercises for sentence usage. The words being taught are {List words}. Format as a table."
Creative Writing	Prompts and guided exercises to encourage imaginative storytelling and improve writing skills.	"As an expert English teacher, create a creative writing worksheet with prompts and tips to help students write their own stories."
Fractions and Decimals	Practice sheets focusing on operations with fractions and decimals, including conversion and word problems.	"As an expert math teacher, generate a worksheet with problems on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals. Have 30 questions per page. Final format should include a place for student name and date, title of worksheet and questions in a 6 by 5 table."
Historical Timelines	Worksheets for creating and analyzing timelines of historical events to understand chronology and causation.	"As an expert teacher, design a worksheet where students create and analyze timelines of key historical events. After you create the timeline, create an image representing the timeline."
Reading Logs	Templates for students to track their independent reading, summarize books, and reflect on themes and characters.	"Create a reading log template for students to summarize books and reflect on themes and characters."
Science Diagrams	Labeling and explaining parts of scientific diagrams, such as the water cycle, plant anatomy, or the human body.	"As an expert science teacher, develop a worksheet where students label and explain parts of scientific diagrams like the water cycle. Include an image for the students to label."
Poetry Analysis	Exercises on reading, interpreting, and writing various forms of poetry to appreciate literary devices and themes.	"As an expert teacher, create a poetry analysis worksheet with poems and questions on literary devices and themes."
Multiplication and Division	Drills and puzzles to reinforce basic multiplication and division facts, leading to fluency in these operations.	"As an expert math teacher, generate a worksheet with drills and puzzles for practicing multiplication and division facts."
Spelling Practice	Activities like word searches, crosswords, and spelling tests to improve spelling skills and word recognition.	"As an expert teacher, design a spelling practice worksheet with word searches and crosswords using weekly spelling words. The words the students are learning are {add words}."
Data Interpretation	Worksheets with charts, graphs, and tables where students analyze and draw conclusions from data sets, enhancing their analytical skills.	"As an expert grade {add grade} math teacher, create a worksheet with charts and graphs for students to analyze and draw conclusions from data sets."

Reprinted with permission (Learn Different, 2024, AI in Education: Foundation Online Course)

How Students Can Use AI to Support Their Own Learning

Traditionally, assistive technology has focused on foundational academic skills, such as reading fluency, spelling, and basic math calculations. However, students often struggle with higher-level skills like reading comprehension, written expression, and applying math concepts. Additionally, students with executive functioning challenges—such as difficulties with planning, organization, prioritizing, shifting between tasks, and self-monitoring—have historically relied on adults for support. That said, AI is now changing this dynamic, offering tools that can act as an external guide to help students navigate these challenges independently.

How AI Supports Higher-Level Skills

AI can assist students in breaking down complex tasks and developing critical skills. For example:

Reading Comprehension: Students can upload a text or assignment into an AI tool and ask questions like, “What is the main idea?” or “Can you summarize this paragraph?” AI can provide explanations, clarify confusing concepts, and even generate outlines to help students organize their understanding.

Written Expression: AI also supports students brainstorm ideas, structure essays, and refine their writing. For instance, a student might ask, “Can you help me create an outline for my essay on climate change?” or “How can I improve the introduction of my story?”

Math Application: AI can guide students through problem-solving steps, offering explanations and examples. A student might ask, “How do I set up this word problem?” or “Can you show me how to solve for x?”

How AI Supports Executive Functioning

Students with executive functioning challenges often rely on adults to help them stay organized and on track. AI can now act as a virtual coach, providing the scaffolding they need to manage tasks independently. For example:

Understanding Assignments: A student who struggles to comprehend an assignment can upload it into an AI tool and ask, “What are the main tasks I need to complete?” or “Can you break this into smaller steps?” AI can create a step-by-step plan, set mini-deadlines, and even remind the student of upcoming due dates.

Staying Organized: AI can help students prioritize tasks, create to-do lists, and set reminders. For instance, a student might ask, “What should I work on first?” or “Can you remind me to start my project tomorrow?”

Self-Monitoring: AI can provide feedback and encouragement, helping students reflect on their progress. A student might ask, “Am I on track to finish this assignment?” or “How can I improve my work?”

A Real-World Example

Imagine a teacher assigns a research project on ecosystems. A student with executive functioning challenges might feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. By uploading the assignment into an AI tool, the student can:

Ask, “What is the main goal of this project?” to clarify expectations.

Request, “Can you create an outline for me?” to break the task into manageable steps.

Seek help with research by asking, “Can you find articles about rainforest ecosystems?”

Summarize information by prompting, “Can you explain this article in simpler terms?”

As a result, this interaction mirrors the support a teacher or parent might provide, but it empowers the student to take ownership of their learning.

The Role of the Teacher

While AI is a powerful tool, teachers remain essential in guiding students on how to use it effectively. Educators can:

Teach students how to craft clear prompts to get the most out of AI.

Encourage students to use AI as a starting point, not a replacement for critical thinking.

Monitor AI-generated outputs to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.

By integrating AI in the classroom, teachers can provide personalized support to students, helping them develop higher-level skills and executive functioning strategies that will serve them well beyond school.

Embracing AI as a Tool for Inclusive and Empowered Learning

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a present-day tool that can transform how we support students in the classroom. From differentiating instruction for diverse learning profiles to helping students develop higher-level skills and executive functioning strategies, AI offers innovative solutions that empower both educators and learners. While AI in the classroom cannot replace the expertise, empathy, and guidance of teachers, it can serve as a powerful ally in creating inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments.

At the same time, educators cannot rely on AI to fully direct students. Frequent check-ins remain essential, particularly for students with learning disabilities who may become frustrated if they veer off track. By actively monitoring progress and providing timely support, teachers ensure that AI enhances learning rather than hindering it.

As educators, our role is to harness the potential of AI thoughtfully, ensuring it aligns with our teaching goals and enhances student learning. Ultimately, by teaching students how to use AI responsibly and creatively, we can prepare them for a future where technology and human ingenuity work hand in hand. Let’s embrace AI not as a challenge to overcome, but as an opportunity to reimagine what’s possible in education.

About the Author:

Dr. Todd Cunningham is a clinical and school psychologist, Associate Professor, Chair of the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Toronto. His research investigates the support of students with learning difficulties from assessment to interventions. Projects involve looking at new techniques in psychological assessments, evaluation of assistive technology, professional development in literacy and numeracy, and telepsychology.

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