Teaching is more demanding than ever, and many teachers feel unsure about how to use AI safely and effectively. This practical masterclass shows teachers how to build confidence with AI by using it as a planning partner—not a replacement for professional judgement.
Samantha introduces a clear, research-informed principle that underpins all effective classroom AI use: AI workflows should mirror pedagogical workflows.
Through real classroom examples and demonstrations, teachers will learn how AI can improve lesson clarity, strengthen modelling and questioning, support EAL learners and unlock creative task design, all while reducing planning time. Every strategy has been trialled with teachers and adapted for UAE classrooms. Participants will leave with a simple, ready-to-use lesson-planning workflow they can apply immediately with confidence and accuracy.
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Use a structured, pedagogy-led AI workflow to plan lessons more efficiently.
2. Strengthen modelling, questioning and scaffolding using AI-assisted design.
3. Generate adaptive teaching pathways and EAL-friendly supports using AI safely.
4. Apply accuracy-checking and cultural-appropriateness filters for UAE classrooms.
5. Integrate AI into creative lesson design to deepen student thinking and engagement.
6. Use AI purposefully and ethically without losing teacher judgement or professional voice.
KEY TOPICS
• The role of AI in modern teaching: pedagogy before tools
• A complete AI-assisted lesson planning workflow
• Strengthening modelling and student thinking with AI
• Adaptive teaching and EAL support
• Creativity with AI: tasks, perspectives and learning challenges
• The “Error-Proofing Method” for accuracy and cultural safety
• Avoiding AI overwhelm and low-quality outputs
• Practical quick wins teachers can use the next day
Workshop Leader
Samantha Benjamin
Samantha Benjamin is an experienced educator and Head of Department with 25 years of teaching and leadership experience across the UK and UAE. She specialises in high-quality instruction, curriculum design, and teacher development in diverse, multilingual classrooms. Samantha has recently led structured, classroom-based trials of AI-assisted lesson planning, creating pedagogy-led workflows that enhance modelling, scaffolding, differentiation, and lesson clarity while reducing workload. Her work focuses on helping teachers use AI purposefully, ethically, and in alignment with UAE cultural expectations. Known for translating complex ideas into clear, practical strategies, Samantha empowers teachers across subjects to integrate emerging technologies with confidence, creativity, and professional integrity.