Streamlining Teaching with AI: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Teaching is a challenging job on the best days—lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and making sure every student gets the support they need. It’s a lot.
When used thoughtfully, artificial intelligence (AI) tools can save time, personalize instruction, and make learning more engaging. And there are a TON of great AI resources out there for educators right now.
Reducing Time-Consuming Admin Work
Creating standards-aligned lessons and activities is a time-consuming task. But there are AI apps that can help automate the process.
Here are some we recommend you try:
- MagicSchool AI – Generates lesson plans, rubrics, and assessments in minutes.
- Eduaide – Creates a variety of classroom resources, including quizzes and worksheets.
- AI Grading Assistants (such as Co-Grader, Grammarly, and Classroom Companion) – Provide instant feedback and streamline the grading process.
Helping Differentiate Instruction
Every classroom has students with different learning styles and abilities, and educators have the challenging task of meeting all of those children where they are, with differentiated materials. AI can help tailor instruction to meet individual needs.
Some helpful AI apps for this:
- Diffit – Adjusts reading levels and translates content to improve accessibility.
- Adaptive Learning Platforms – Adjust pacing and difficulty based on student progress.
- AI-Driven Analytics – Identify skill gaps, helping teachers provide targeted support.
Making Learning More Engaging
AI-powered platforms can help make lessons more interactive, encourage participation, and turn routine activities into engaging experiences.
Some options to explore:
- Curipod – Blends slideshows, polls, and interactive features to keep students engaged.
- Parlay Genie – Supports Socratic seminars and structured discussions.
- Edpuzzle – Lets teachers embed questions in videos and track student understanding.
- Gamification Tools (like Kahoot, Quizizz, and Conker.ai) – Turn assessments into friendly competitions.
Best Practices for Using AI in the Classroom
Use AI Thoughtfully
- Understand how AI tools process and store data before using them with students.
- Encourage students to use AI to support learning, not to complete work for them.
Give Clear Instructions for Better AI Responses
- The more specific your request, the more useful the AI-generated response will be.
- Example: Instead of “Make an essay rubric,” try “Create a rubric for a high school English essay on symbolism in literature with a 5-point scale.”
Teach Critical Thinking
- Help students learn to evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy.
- Set clear guidelines for when and how AI can be used in assignments.
AI won’t replace great teaching, but it can help educators work more efficiently and create more meaningful learning experiences. The key is using it as a tool—not a shortcut.
Have you tried AI in your classroom? What’s working for you?