Hello fellow educators,
Alex Chen here. If you're anything like me, you've probably spent countless Sunday nights drowning in lesson plans, felt overwhelmed by an endless pile of grading, or wondered how to keep that one student who always finishes early engaged. I vividly remember a Sunday night last year.
It was 2 AM, and I was staring at 150 essays on the Industrial Revolution, each demanding individual attention. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of words, and the deadline was looming. In that moment, I realized I needed to change something. I had heard about AI tools, but I was a bit skeptical. Is it just another fad? Will it make me lazy? But desperation pushed me to look harder.
And now, after a year of trial and error, I'm here to share what I've learned. This isn't a list of "game-changing" tools, but rather tools that have "actually helped me reclaim some time and energy."
Lesson Planning and Content: My New Companions
The first tool that genuinely changed my workflow was in the realm of lesson planning. This is where we spend countless hours, right?
MagicSchool AI
What it's great for: Oh my goodness, this tool is a true lifesaver. It's like having a personal teaching assistant who can generate lesson plans, question generators, and even ideas for different activities in seconds. I've used it to create quick review exercises, draft learning objectives, and even generate ideas for group projects. It's especially useful when you're stuck and need a starting point. For example, when I was planning a unit on the Cold War, I used MagicSchool to generate a list of thought-provoking questions I could use to kick off a class discussion. It saved me so much time.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": While MagicSchool is a lifesaver, its initial output can sometimes be a bit generic. So, I always spend 5 minutes tweaking it to match my students' specific needs and my teaching style. Don't expect it to do all the work for you, but think of it as a very smart first draft.
Canva Magic Write
What it's great for: If you're using Canva to create presentations or visual materials for your class (and I'm sure many of you are), then Magic Write is a fantastic addition. I've used it to generate ideas for slide titles, draft concise introductions for student projects, or even create quick descriptions for infographics I'm building. It's especially useful when you need creative, quick text to enhance your visuals. For example, when I was preparing a presentation on climate change, I used Magic Write to suggest some key points I could include on the slides.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": Canva's Magic Write is fantastic for visual ideas, but the AI images can occasionally be a bit quirky and might take a few tries to get right. It's not perfect for everything, but it's a good starting point.
Assessment: Making Grading Less Grueling
Now, for something a bit different, let's talk about assessment. This is where AI can really eat into precious time.
Quizizz (AI features)
What it's great for: Quizizz is already known for being a great tool for interactive quizzes, but its AI features are what truly make it stand out. I've used it to generate quizzes from existing texts or PDFs. This saves me hours of manually creating questions. I can upload an article or a chapter from a book, and Quizizz will generate multiple-choice or short-answer questions based on the content. It's especially useful for quick reviews or for assessing comprehension after a specific reading.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": While Quizizz can generate questions quickly, you should always review them to ensure they are accurate and align with your learning objectives. Sometimes, the questions might be a bit superficial or focus on unimportant details. It's a great tool, but it requires a human touch to ensure quality.
Question Generator Tool
What it's great for: Aside from Quizizz, I've found general question generator tools incredibly useful. I've used them to create questions for class discussions, critical thinking exercises, or even to generate extra test questions. The idea is that you feed it a text, and it generates questions based on that. It's helped me overcome "writer's block" when I need to come up with fresh and engaging questions.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": These tools can be great, but they often generate very direct questions or "recall" questions rather than "analysis" or "evaluation" questions. You'll need to tweak them to elevate the thinking level if you're aiming for higher-order thinking skills.
Student Support: Meeting Individual Needs
Every teacher knows that every student is unique. AI can help with that.
Khanmigo
What it's great for: Khanmigo, Khan Academy's AI-powered teaching assistant, has immense potential for differentiation. I've seen how it can provide personalized help to students, explain concepts in different ways, and offer additional practice. While I haven't used it extensively in my own classroom yet, I'm excited about its potential to help students bridge gaps in understanding or challenge those who are progressing quickly. It's like having a 24/7 tutor available.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": Khanmigo is still relatively new, and there might be a learning curve for both teachers and students. Additionally, while it can provide great assistance, it doesn't replace the human interaction and emotional support we provide as teachers.
Writing and Research: Empowering Students
Finally, let's talk about tools that can help our students become better writers and researchers.
QuillBot or Grammarly
What it's great for: I know there are concerns about cheating, but I see tools like QuillBot and Grammarly as powerful learning tools. I've framed them to my students as "writing assistants," not "problem solvers.
" Grammarly can help with grammar, spelling, and punctuation, freeing up students to focus on their ideas. QuillBot can help rephrase sentences, teaching students different ways to express ideas and avoid unintentional plagiarism.
I've used them with my students to review their first drafts, helping them improve their clarity and flow. It helps them become better editors of their own work.
A small drawback or a "heads-up": Use should be supervised. It's crucial to teach students how to use these tools responsibly, focusing on learning and improvement rather than just "getting the answer." If not used properly, they can hinder critical thinking and the development of authentic writing skills.
Conclusion: One Step at a Time
So, what's my advice? Don't try to master everything at once. Pick one tool that solves your biggest headache—maybe it's lesson planning—and just play with it for a week. See if it helps. The goal isn't to become a tech wizard; it's to win back a little of your time and energy.
These tools aren't magic bullets, but they can be powerful allies in a busy teacher's arsenal. Start small, be curious, and see how they can help you reclaim some of those Sunday nights.
An experienced high school teacher, Alex Chen, sitting at a desk cluttered with papers and a laptop, looking a bit overwhelmed but with a hopeful expression. The background should subtly suggest a classroom or a home office.
The overall tone should be realistic and relatable, not overly polished or futuristic. Focus on warm, inviting lighting. The image should convey the idea of a teacher finding practical solutions to everyday challenges with the help of technology.