In the past year, teachers everywhere have discovered a new planning companion — Generative AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and MagicSchool can now create a full lesson plan in seconds. For many educators, this feels revolutionary: a once time-consuming, detail-heavy task now fits into a single prompt. With 79% of teachers now using GenAI tools for lesson planning (Walton Family Foundation, 2024), this shift from theory to practice demands deeper examination of quality and pedagogical effectiveness.
But here’s the real question: can these tools truly design meaningful learning experiences — or are they just automating structure and content?