Skip to main content

Free AI lesson plan, lesson 8 of 10

Cheating

Essential question

What exactly qualifies as “cheating” when using AI, and how does cheating impact students?

  • About 35 minutes
  • Short video included
  • No AI background needed
  • Free

Download this lesson

Tap the files you want, then press Download.

The answer key needs a free teacher account. Create one.

Lesson objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  • Define what “cognitive offloading” is, and how AI plays a role
  • Analyze why AI models can hinder a student’s academic performance beyond disciplinary infractions
  • Understand the negative psychological and practical consequences of using AI to cheat

Key vocabulary

  • Cognitive Offload
  • Synaptic Pruning
  • Comprehension

Lesson flow

  1. Lecture8-10 minutes

Exit ticket questions

What students answer at the end of the lesson. Answer choices are on the worksheet, answers in the teacher guide.

  1. Determine whether or not each answer choice falls into the category of “cognitive offloading” or “learning.”
  2. In 1-2 sentences, explain why using AI to complete tasks for you can be a form of cognitive offloading
  3. In 2-3 sentences, explain how cognitive offloading is related to plagiarism and copyright.

Want more?

Sign up to get more resources

A free teacher account unlocks every answer key, plus editable teacher guides, video lessons with built-in checkpoint questions, class rosters, assignments, and a gradebook that shows how every student is doing.

Get a free teacher account Email me when new lessons drop

Take it further

  • Want The Ethics Lab at your school?

    We'll set up your classes on the platform, walk your teachers through it, and help you get district privacy approval. Free for every school.

    anik@ethicslabs.ai

  • Run an AI Day at your school

    One period, one lunch, or one afternoon where students learn how AI works and debate how it should be used. We give you the slides, posters, and certificates.

    Plan an AI Day

  • Want more info on the platform?

    Interactive video lessons with checkpoint questions, class progress tracking, and certificates students actually earn. See how it works for schools.

    See the platform

Questions about anything on this page? Email anik@ethicslabs.ai. A real person answers.