Summer AI Series: Designing Cognitively Demanding Tasks With Help From AI Artwork

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The Making Schools Work Podcast

Summer AI Series: Designing Cognitively Demanding Tasks With Help From AI

June 17, 2025 • SREB • Season 1 • Episode 25

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In this episode of Class-Act Coaching, we dive into Pillar 1 of SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom—using AI to design cognitively demanding tasks that engage students in deep, meaningful learning.

Ashley is joined again by Leslie Eaves, SREB’s project-based learning program director, to talk about what makes a task truly cognitively demanding (hint: it’s about thinking, not just doing), and how AI tools can help teachers brainstorm, plan and scaffold rich learning experiences.

We cover practical ways to use AI for lesson design, what to watch out for and why starting with your standards is key. Whether you’ve read the report or not, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can try right away.

Also available on YouTube if you prefer video
Download the free report: https://www.sreb.org/publication/guidance-use-ai-k-12-classroom-0
Get the free AI checklist: https://www.sreb.org/publication/ai-tool-procurement-implementation-and-evaluation-checklist

Topics include:

What cognitively demanding tasks are (and aren’t)
How to use AI as a lesson planning thought partner
Examples from real classrooms
Connecting content to student interests
Avoiding over-reliance on screens
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The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.