24/03/2025
I used AILA to create a lesson, and these are my thoughts
During a Teach First training day in January, I was introduced to the AILA Lesson Generator, an AI-powered tool by Oak National Academy. Intrigued by its potential, I decided to explore it further and waited for an opportunity to incorporate it into my lesson planning. That chance came in February when preparing a Year 11 revision lesson on searching and sorting algorithms. Given the extensive nature of these topics, AILA seemed ideal for condensing them into a single, meaningful session.
AILA's most useful output was the lesson plan, structured around the learning cycle model found throughout Oak's lesson resources. It provided clear segmentation (Searching Algorithms, Sorting Algorithms, and Comparison & Efficiency) that framed the lesson effectively. The learning cycles included key discussion points that began my list of talking points and check-for-understanding questions, which I could adapt based on class progress.
The additional resources, such as worksheets and quizzes, were also beneficial. The starter and exit quizzes effectively reinforced prior knowledge and assessed understanding. Importantly, I found no factual errors, likely due to AILA’s reliance on fact-checked materials. However, I wonder whether it would generate misinformation when handling topics outside its training data.
The lesson slides, however, were the weakest element. They followed a templated format, but the content felt 'added in'. While usable in a time crunch, I opted to create my own slides by combining AILA’s lesson plan with my own subject knowledge. AILA's inability to generate images also limited the slides' effectiveness—integrating AI-generated visuals, similar to Canva’s Magic Media, could improve this.
Some quirks emerged in the generated content. Notably, the learning points in cycles 2 and 3 were identical, failing to shift focus towards efficiency and comparison. This highlighted the importance of manually reviewing AI-generated content rather than assuming accuracy. Additionally, when I prompted for practical programming activities, AILA’s response felt like an afterthought, simply tacking Python-related tasks onto an existing worksheet.
Despite its weaknesses, AILA provided a solid lesson framework that, after modifications, led to a well-structured revision session. The tool excels in outlining lessons that teachers can then refine. I’m eager to experiment further, particularly by blending two unrelated topics to test AILA’s ability to integrate disparate concepts.
Looking ahead, the tool could be enhanced with image generation and, more importantly, the ability to produce medium- and long-term plans. Given Oak’s extensive resource base, AI could help structure an engaging, varied curriculum, linking lessons across a term rather than focusing on isolated sessions.
Link to the full blog post with a more in-depth review:
A little background. In January, during one of our Teach First training days, we were introduced and provided a demonstration of the AILA Lesson Generator: a tool developed by Oak National Academy, leveraging artificial intelligence and the large corpus of lesson plans on the website to draw from. W...
