Open Claude or ChatGPT on a second monitor or in a separate browser window you can alt-tab to, with your session notes and a few pre-written prompts already queued — that way AI assistance is one keystroke away without disrupting your screen share.
Why Setup Matters Before You Go Live
The biggest obstacle to using AI effectively in a live session is friction. If you have to search for the tab, log in, or figure out what to type while students are watching, the moment passes and the opportunity is lost. The solution is to set up your AI workspace before the session starts, just like you would test your slides or check your audio. Fifteen minutes of pre-session setup turns AI from a theoretical backup into a practical tool you actually reach for.
The Two-Screen Setup
If you have two monitors, dedicate one to your Zoom session and presentation and the other to Claude or ChatGPT. On the AI screen, open a fresh conversation and type in your session context at the top: who your students are, what you are teaching today, and what kinds of questions might come up. This primes the AI so you do not have to re-explain context every time you type a quick question mid-session.
If you only have one screen, use a browser with multiple tabs and practice alt-tabbing quickly between your Zoom window and your AI tab. Make sure your screen share only shares one window, not your entire desktop, so students do not accidentally see your AI tab while you are typing. In Chrome, you can share a specific tab rather than the full screen — that keeps your AI workspace completely invisible to the group while you use it freely.
Pre-Written Prompts as a Session Kit
Before the session, write three to five prompts you anticipate needing and paste them into a notes document next to your AI window. Common ones include: “Give me a specific example of [concept] for [audience type],” “Rephrase this for someone who has never used AI before: [paste your explanation],” and “Summarise these student responses into three key themes: [paste chat].” Having these ready means you are copying and editing, not writing from scratch under pressure.
What This Means for Educators
A well-set-up AI workspace is invisible to your students and invaluable to you. It is the difference between AI being a distraction and being a genuine resource. The setup takes 10 to 15 minutes before your first session; after that it becomes a routine you run automatically before every class.
The Simple Rule
Set up before you go live: AI tab open, session context typed in, pre-written prompts ready, screen share limited to one window. Then treat your AI window like a co-pilot instrument panel — available when you need it, out of sight when you don’t.