Ideas for AI in the classroom
A practical framework for art instruction, workflow support, and student growth
AI can support teaching best when it improves clarity, access, pacing, critique quality, and creative development—while keeping student thinking and making at the center of the work.
1) Course Design + Syllabus Support
Use AI to strengthen the course structure, increase accessibility, and reduce confusion before the semester even begins.
Ideas
Upload your syllabus and check it for clarity, inclusion, workload pacing, and accessibility
Improve assignment directions without changing the learning goals
Turn individual assignments into collaborative versions
Generate scaffolds (beginner/intermediate/advanced expectations)
Example prompts
“Here is my syllabus. Review it for clarity, accessibility, and workload balance. Suggest improvements while keeping my voice and course goals intact.”
“Rewrite this assignment so the steps are unambiguous. Add a checklist and common mistakes section.”
“Convert this assignment into 3 group-based versions: (1) pairs, (2) teams of 4, (3) whole-class collaboration. Keep outcomes the same.”
“Create a beginner / intermediate / advanced scaffold for this project, including what ‘strong work’ looks like at each level.”
2) Assignment Design + Creative Learning Activities
Use AI to create prompts that generate story, structure, and visual decision-making—without outsourcing the art.
Ideas
AI interviews students to generate story material, then converts it into image-ready frames
Students write stories based on peer images (and compare interpretations)
Improve a working assignment by making the presentation more engaging
Generate multiple versions of the same assignment to support choice
Example prompts
“Interview me to help generate a short narrative based on a personal experience. Then break it into 8 storyboard frames with clear visual descriptions.”
“I’m going to describe an image. Ask me clarifying questions until you can generate a strong written prompt for illustration.”
“I have a homework assignment that works, but I want the in-class rollout to be more engaging. Give me 5 ways to introduce it, including one interactive activity.”
“Give me 4 versions of this assignment: one quiet/reflective, one collaborative, one experimental, one skills-focused.”
3) Class Prep + Lesson Planning
Use AI to reduce prep time and help you walk into class with a clear plan.
Ideas
Generate a prep checklist: materials, demos, slides, timing, and what to model
Create a “TA support list” of tasks during class
Rewrite assignments into a step-by-step to-do list for students
Build quick lecture outlines and discussion questions
Example prompts
“Here’s the assignment. Make a class-prep checklist: what I need to bring, what to demonstrate, what to show on slides, and what students should accomplish in 90 minutes.”
“Create a 5-minute opening, 15-minute demo, 40-minute studio work block, and 20-minute share-out plan for this lesson.”
“Rewrite this assignment as a student-facing checklist with estimated time per step.”
“Give me 10 discussion questions that connect this project to design principles and contemporary examples.”
4) Critique + Reflection Support
Use AI to help students capture feedback, translate critique into action, and build stronger artistic language.
Ideas
Students record critique notes and convert them into actionable next steps
AI generates targeted critique questions based on the assignment goals
Students compare two works using consistent critique vocabulary
AI supports reflective writing without becoming generic
Example prompts
“Here are my critique notes. Turn them into 5 specific actions I can complete in my next studio session.”
“Generate critique questions for this assignment. Separate them into: technique, composition, concept, and audience impact.”
“Help me write a short reflection: what worked, what didn’t, what I changed, and what I learned. Ask me questions first.”
“Compare these two pieces using formal observation first, then interpretation. Keep it evidence-based.”
5) Rubrics + Assessment Alignment
Use AI to make grading criteria clearer and ensure the rubric actually matches the task.
Ideas
Check rubric alignment with assignment outcomes
Rewrite rubric language into student-friendly terms
Create examples of what “excellent / proficient / developing” looks like
Generate a grading workflow (quicker, more consistent feedback)
Example prompts
“Here is my assignment and rubric. Identify any misalignments and suggest improvements so the rubric measures what the assignment actually asks students to do.”
“Rewrite this rubric in student-friendly language while keeping expectations rigorous.”
“Give 3 examples of what ‘excellent’ looks like for this project (without inventing student work—describe qualities).”
“Help me create a fast grading checklist for this assignment so I can give consistent feedback in under 5 minutes per student.”
6) Student Workflow Support (Help Desk + Planning)
Use AI to give students support without reducing the rigor—especially for multi-step projects.
Ideas
AI acts like an “assignment help desk” using only course materials
Students generate work plans based on their weekly availability
AI checks requirement completion (format, number of thumbnails, references, etc.)
Students translate assignment language into a personal plan
Example prompts
“Use only the assignment text below. Answer my questions about what I’m supposed to do, but don’t create the content for me.”
“I have 3 hours total this week. Make me a realistic plan to complete this project with checkpoints.”
“Here’s my plan for the assignment. Review it and tell me what I’m missing or misunderstanding.”
“Turn these instructions into a simple to-do list I can follow over 4 studio sessions.”
7) Responsible Use + Trust (Guidelines for AI)
Use AI to build transparency and protect the learning process, especially when students are experimenting with new tools.
Ideas
Create assignment-specific AI guidelines (allowed / not allowed / citation expectations)
Require process evidence and decision-making checkpoints
Build a short “AI transparency statement” students can include
Teach students how to use AI for feedback and planning rather than producing final work
Example prompts
“Write an AI usage policy for this assignment. Include: what is allowed, what is not allowed, and what students must document.”
“Create a short ‘AI transparency statement’ template students can include when AI supported planning or revision.”
“Give me 5 ways students can use AI responsibly in this project that still protects learning.”
“Design a process checklist that requires thumbnails, drafts, and reflection so the final work shows student development.”
8) Instructor Ops (Workflow + Time Management)
AI can support the behind-the-scenes systems that keep a class running smoothly—grading rhythm, pacing, reminders, and prep follow-through.
Ideas
Review your schedule and suggest grading windows and check-in points
Generate a daily “teaching brief” from the syllabus
Provide weekly pacing adjustments based on what actually happened
Create reminders for materials, demos, and admin tasks
Example prompts
“Here’s my weekly teaching schedule. Help me create a grading rhythm so students get feedback within 7 days consistently.”
“Based on this syllabus, generate a ‘today’s teaching brief’ with what to cover, time checks, and key reminders.”
“Here’s what we got done this week. Help me adjust next week’s plan without rushing the learning.”
“Make a checklist of everything I need to prep for next Tuesday’s class session.”
9) In-Class Augmentation (Wearables + Capture Tools)
Wearables can support teaching when they improve capture, pacing, and continuity—not surveillance.
Ideas
Glasses or wearable camera for recording demonstrations
Capture critique audio for student review and revision planning
Timekeeping and transitions during long studio blocks
Quick reminders of what to cover next
Example prompts
“Summarize this recorded demo into step-by-step instructions students can follow.”
“Turn this critique audio transcript into actionable next steps and a short reflection prompt.”
“Create a timed agenda for today’s class with 3 transitions and a 5-minute closing reflection.”
10) Creative Practice Development (Beyond the Assignment)
Use AI to help students build a studio mindset—clarifying intention, analyzing failure, and strengthening meaning.
Ideas
“Failure review” prompts: intention vs execution
Artist statement support through interview format
Concept probing: meaning, audience, symbolism, stakes
Iteration planning: what to test next, what to refine
Example prompts
“Here’s a piece that didn’t work. Ask me questions to identify what I was trying to do, what failed, and what I should test next.”
“Interview me to help write an artist statement in my voice. Keep it grounded in process and intent.”
“Help me articulate the conceptual stakes of this piece. What am I protecting, revealing, resisting, or claiming?”
“Suggest three ways to iterate this work: one technical adjustment, one compositional shift, one conceptual shift.”