Teaching Smarter: How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your Classroom
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just a tech trend—it's a powerful tool that can help teachers personalize instruction, streamline planning, and unlock student creativity. Whether you're a seasoned tech integrator or just dipping your toe in, this guide will walk you through practical strategies for using AI to enhance your teaching and support diverse learners.
Here’s your AI Tip Sheet: Ideas + Tools + Teaching Strategies—all in one place.
1. Lesson Planning Made Easy
Strategy: Use AI tools to generate differentiated lesson plans, aligned to standards, objectives, and student needs.
Tools to Try:
MagicSchool.ai – Tailor lessons, IEP goals, and accommodations.
Curipod – Create interactive lessons, discussions, and activities in minutes.
Eduaide.ai – Generate detailed plans, prompts, and modifications.
How to Use:
Input your topic, grade level, and desired standard.
Select modifications for students with IEPs or ELL needs.
Customize and refine the results.
Bonus Tip: Create multiple levels of the same lesson for groups with different ability levels.
2. Assessment & Quiz Creation
Strategy: Let AI do the heavy lifting by building quizzes, exit tickets, and even rubrics for you.
Tools to Try:
Quizizz AI – Auto-generates engaging quizzes with gamified features.
Formative AI – Create real-time assessments with instant feedback.
Diffit – Use reading passages and comprehension checks at different Lexile levels.
How to Use:
Paste in your lesson content or learning standard.
Select the assessment type (multiple choice, short answer, etc.).
Generate, review, and edit before assigning.
3. Content Creation & Modification
Strategy: Use AI to adapt existing content to various reading levels or create completely new materials in seconds.
Tools to Try:
ChatGPT – Generate leveled texts, summaries, vocabulary lists.
Smodin – Rewrites content at different reading levels.
ReadTheory AI – Adjusts articles based on a student’s skill level.
How to Use:
Enter original content (or a topic), select the reading level, and generate.
Use for small group reading, accessible handouts, or homework.
4. Student Writing Support
Strategy: Encourage brainstorming, revision, and feedback with AI-powered writing aids.
Tools to Try:
Grammarly – Checks grammar, tone, and clarity.
Wordtune – Offers real-time sentence suggestions and rewrites.
Ecree – Provides immediate, standards-based feedback for essays.
How to Use:
Offer these tools during the prewriting and editing phases.
Model how to accept or reject suggestions based on context.
Important Note: Teach digital citizenship and ethical use—AI should support thinking, not replace it.
5. Creative Student Projects
Strategy: Give students AI tools to build presentations, stories, and visuals that showcase learning in new ways.
Tools to Try:
Canva Magic Write – Combines visuals and AI-generated text.
SlidesAI – Turns notes into slide decks.
DALL·E or Bing Image Creator – Generates visuals based on written prompts.
How to Use:
Let students use AI to create newsletters, posters, or slideshows.
Assign “create your own illustrated story” using AI image generators.
Have students evaluate the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated content.
6. Organization & Time-Saving
Strategy: Free up your time with AI scheduling assistants and idea organizers.
Tools to Try:
Trello with Butler AI – Automate task lists and deadlines.
ChatGPT + Google Sheets – Automate grading rubrics or data collection.
Notion AI – Helps plan curriculum, organize tasks, and brainstorm.
How to Use:
Build weekly to-do lists and pacing guides with AI support.
Ask AI to prioritize tasks based on deadlines and teaching goals.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence isn't here to replace you—it’s here to empower you. These tools help streamline the tasks that take time away from what matters most: connecting with students and delivering meaningful instruction.
✔️ Quick Tips for Getting Started:
Start small: Use AI for one task, like a quiz or reading summary.
Review everything: Always check AI content for accuracy and bias.
Collaborate: Share tools and strategies with your team.
Reflect: Ask students how the tools help (or don’t).
Let AI do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best: inspire, teach, and lead.
