Cut weekly lesson planning time with ChatGPT
Teachers use ChatGPT to draft quizzes, activities and adapted resources, then refine them, which a randomized trial found saved about 25 minutes a week.
Oct 25, 2026
I teach [subject] to [year group], reading age about [age]. They have already covered [prior learning]. Create a [length]-minute lesson on [topic] with: a starter, two activities, and a 5-question quiz with answers. Keep the language at their reading level.
How to use it
1. Give ChatGPT the year group, reading age and what students already learned 2. Ask for a lesson outline with activities 3. Ask for a short quiz matching the lesson goals 4. Ask it to adapt an existing resource for a cover lesson 5. Refine with follow-up prompts 6. Check accuracy before using in class
Result
Teachers saved about 25 minutes per week (31% less planning time) with no measured drop in resource quality. Example: Input: Year 8 science, photosynthesis, 50 minutes. Output: starter question, two activities and a 5-question quiz with an answer key.
Tips and gotchas
Human review: All outputs checked for accuracy. Pitfall: Avoid student personal data; weak at science diagrams at the time. Privacy: Do not include student names or personal data. Best for: Teachers (Beginner). Time saved basis: Sourced.
my.chartered.college
https://my.chartered.college/impact_article/teachers-use-of-chatgpt-in-lesson-preparation-can-save-time/