Teacher Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education

Welcome to this guide on thoughtfully integrating AI into your teaching practices! By embracing AI, you are equipping your students with the skills they’ll need to thrive in a world where technology plays a central role. This guide is designed to empower you to harness AI in ways that are responsible, ethical, and innovative, all while maintaining a clear focus on student growth and learning. As you explore the exciting potential of AI, remember that your unique strengths—your empathy, intuition, and ability to inspire—are the foundation of every meaningful learning experience. Interested in more AI content? Check out Michigan Virtual's AI Lab.

Together, let’s shape a future where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the irreplaceable human touch in education.

Introduction

Welcome to AI in Education

In recent years, technology has reshaped how we approach teaching and learning. Among the latest innovations, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in education, transforming everything from lesson planning to classroom engagement. This guide is intended to help you harness the power of AI to enhance your teaching practice, support your students, and navigate the ethical considerations unique to AI. Whether you're new to AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this guide offers practical tips and foundational knowledge to make AI work for you.

Purpose and Goals of This Guide

This Teacher Guide provides an overview for teachers seeking to incorporate AI in the classroom responsibly and effectively and aligns with Michigan Virtual's AI District Integration Framework. You’ll find:

• Practical uses of AI that make day-to-day teaching tasks easier and more efficient.
• Techniques for personalizing learning experiences through AI, enabling you to reach each student more effectively.
• Ethical guidelines that emphasize student privacy, transparency, and inclusivity.
• Strategies for building AI literacy in students, equipping them with the skills to use AI thoughtfully and safely.

By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident in understanding and applying AI tools in ways that benefit both you and your students, helping you embrace AI as a positive force in education.

The guide complements Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute's AI Lab, which offers resources and opportunities to help educators effectively implement AI in teaching.

For more on district-level AI integration, see: Planning Guide for AI: A Framework for School Districts | Michigan Virtual.

Key Terms

As you navigate this guide, there will be a lot of vocabulary thrown at you. The following is not an exhaustive list of the terms you might encounter, but it’s a good starting point, highlighting key terms shaping the AI discussion. 

1. AI Literacy: The understanding and ability to critically evaluate, use, and interact with AI technologies. 
2. Bias (in AI): The unfair outcomes that arise when the AI system systematically favors or discriminates against certain groups, individuals, or outcomes due to flaws in data, algorithms, or deployment. 
3. Data Privacy: The aspect of information technology that deals with the ability of an organization or individual to determine what data can be shared with third parties. 
4. Digital Citizenship: The responsible and ethical use of technology and digital resources. 
5. AI: Artificial intelligence systems capable of creating new content (text, images, audio, etc.) based on patterns learned from large datasets. 
6. Hallucinations: Instances where AI generates plausible but false or nonsensical information. 
7. Large Language Model: A type of AI model trained on vast amounts of text data, capable of understanding and generating human-like text across a wide range of topics and tasks. 
8. Prompt: In AI, a text input or instruction given to an AI model to guide or initiate the generation of specific content or responses. 

Disclaimer: As you navigate this guide, remember that while generative AI systems offer powerful capabilities, they come with important limitations and risks. Users should approach these tools cautiously and remember they are meant to augment, not replace, human expertise and judgment. 

Key considerations include:

1. Validating AI-generated content for accuracy and alignment with learning objectives 
2. Being aware of the resource costs and environmental impact of AI 
3. Balancing AI insights with professional assessment and human observation 
4. Upholding teachers' critical roles in instruction and student support.
5. Reviewing AI-adapted content to ensure it meets student needs appropriately and is free of bias 
6. Updating policies and practices to account for AI integration 
7. Keeping AI literacy curricula current with evolving capabilities and ethics 
8. Complying with privacy regulations and ethical use of student data 
9. Using AI for professional development aligned to individual goals and needs 
10. Recognizing AI as an ideation tool, not a representation of real classroom environments

Users should prioritize transparency about AI use, maintain human oversight, and view AI as a supportive tool rather than a decision-making replacement in educational contexts.

Key Principles for AI Integration

AI as a Supportive Tool, Not a Replacement

While AI can take on many tasks, it should always be viewed as an aid rather than a substitute for human instruction. Only you can provide the empathy, insight, and critical thinking that shape effective teaching. AI can streamline certain tasks, like generating quizzes or analyzing student data, but remember that your role as a teacher involves the interpersonal skills and judgment AI cannot replicate. In essence, you’ll still be in control of the classroom, with AI as a helpful assistant at your side.

Practical Example

Consider an AI tool that suggests personalized reading materials based on student preferences. You, as the teacher, would still assess each suggestion to ensure the material aligns with learning goals and is age-appropriate.

Student-Centered Learning with AI

AI allows you to create personalized learning experiences by adapting resources to individual student needs. This approach supports differentiated instruction, which can be a game-changer in a diverse classroom. For example, AI can help identify which students need additional practice on certain topics and create tailored exercises to help them catch up.

Examples of Personalization:

• Language Proficiency Support: AI can adjust reading complexity, simplifying texts for emerging readers or English language learners. 
• Skill-Level Adaptations: For math, AI can provide practice problems at various levels, gradually increasing complexity as students improve.

Ethics and Inclusivity

When using AI, it’s essential to prioritize ethics and inclusivity. AI tools are only as objective as the data they’re trained on, which means bias can sometimes seep into the content or recommendations. Be proactive in ensuring that the AI tools you use promote equity and respect all students’ backgrounds. Be mindful of privacy regulations (FERPA, COPPA), and be transparent about AI’s role in the classroom with both students and parents.

Ethical Guidelines for Teachers:

• Transparency: Inform students and parents about when and how AI is being used.
• Privacy: Use AI tools with strict data privacy protocols.
• Bias Awareness: Monitor AI outputs for biased or inappropriate content and take action if necessary.

Teacher’s Role

AI is bringing changes to teaching roles that have long been anticipated. This shift empowers you to maintain essential human interactions and your role as a facilitator of meaningful learning. You remain in control, deciding how and when to use AI to enhance your approach. Active engagement in privacy, ethics, and bias considerations is crucial for responsible data use. Staying informed about AI’s impact and understanding its benefits and risks is key to developing "AI literacy."

We believe all educators will need to strengthen their AI Literacy skills.

A Guide for AI in Education

Change in Practice

The integration of generative AI in K-12 education demands a new level of readiness from teachers. This preparation extends beyond understanding AI tools; it requires a shift in mindset towards continuous learning and adaptation. You must assess your technological proficiency, reflect on how AI can enhance educational outcomes, and commit to developing new skills. Your focus should be on leveraging AI to create personalized, inclusive learning experiences while reimagining how technology can complement and enrich the teaching process. This journey of AI integration in your classroom is as much about your own professional growth as it is about enhancing teaching and learning processes.

Teacher Readiness for Implementing Generative AI

To kick off this journey, you need to know where you are starting from. The following table provides a rubric for you to assess your readiness for integrating AI into your teaching practice. It covers five key categories across three proficiency levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. You can use this rubric to self-evaluate your current skills and set targeted professional development goals, enhancing your ability to effectively incorporate AI in learning and teaching. You may find yourself pre-beginner on the scale, and that’s fine, it’s an easy first step to get to beginner.

Strategies for Integrating Technology into Instruction

Wherever you are in the continuum of understanding and application of AI in learning, the integration of any technology requires a strategic approach. As a teacher, you should intentionally incorporate technology into your planning process, blending your go-to teaching methods with tech-enhanced strategies. This approach allows you to supplement your current practices while deepening your understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of any technology. The following table outlines practical approaches for this, drawn from experiences in technology-rich environments like hybrid and blended learning. It provides strategies to create innovative instructional environments and ensure ethical use of technology.

Guidelines for Ethical AI Use in the Classroom

Privacy and Data Security

Always prioritize data privacy by selecting AI tools that comply with regulations and have transparent data usage policies. Avoid using student names, addresses, or other identifiable information unless absolutely necessary, and make sure to review privacy policies of any AI tools used.

Avoiding Bias in AI Applications

Teach students to evaluate AI outputs critically. Discuss how bias in data can affect AI-generated content and encourage students to identify instances where AI might lack accuracy or fairness. This awareness will help students become discerning AI users.

Understanding AI Basics and Limitations

Introduce basic AI concepts to students, such as data patterns, machine learning, and limitations like “AI hallucinations,” where AI might generate false information. Use classroom discussions to help students understand that AI is a tool that can make mistakes and that critical thinking is essential.

Teaching Responsible AI Use and Digital Citizenship

Discuss ethical AI use in class. For instance, you might create a lesson about responsible data sharing, helping students understand what information is safe to share with AI and why privacy matters.

Privacy Awareness

Engage students in privacy discussions with scenarios about sharing data. Ask questions like, “What should you avoid sharing with an AI tool?” or “How could sharing too much information put you at risk?” This helps students develop digital literacy skills and encourages them to use AI tools safely.

Instructional Framework

AI isn’t just another technology tool. It holds a very different promise by the very nature of it being able to both understand and create original human-like outputs on the fly. This provides the opportunity to allow AI to be applied in some familiar edtech strategies, but also in new ways we’ve just started to explore. From reimagining curriculum design to facilitating truly personalized learning pathways and enhancing assessments with dynamic feedback loops, AI offers teachers powerful tools to create enriched, student-centered educational environments. We’ll walk you through some of the areas that experts see as having the most short-term potential to impact your everyday life in the classroom. In each section below we highlight an area of impact, what the opportunities look like, share some examples, and finally, provide you with a prompt to demonstrate a concept so that you can explore the concept yourself. These prompts work in most contemporary chatbot LLM interfaces. It is important to remember the disclaimer from the opening section when using AI tools and proceed with a critical lens.

Creating & Curating Materials

Currently, AI’s most powerful ability is in creating and curating instructional materials for enriching curriculum and creating engaging, student-centered learning experiences. Teachers can leverage AI to automatically generate customized educational content like differentiated readings, practice problems, lessons, and interactives based on specific learning objectives and student prior knowledge. 

Identifying Opportunities for AI Integration

When designing an AI-enhanced curriculum, the first step is to identify areas where AI tools can augment or streamline existing lessons and activities. This could involve using AI text generation to create supplemental readings, worksheets, or writing prompts that reinforce key concepts in a personalized manner. For example, using your understanding of a student's prior knowledge you can generate tailored practice content with appropriate vocabulary, examples, and difficulty levels, allowing you to tailor learning for specific needs almost instantly.

Current AI tools allow you to bridge the gap between existing curricular items and new variations. A strength of AI tools is that they are very good at making sense of existing text, image, and video content. By importing existing assets, it is possible to create new variations that adapt to various student needs.

Examples of AI Integration (regardless of grade level):

• Supplemental Readings: Customized texts that match student reading levels.   
• Practice Problems: Adaptive exercises targeting individual skill gaps.   
• Activators: Personalized content that engage students' interests and challenge their abilities. 

See Prompt Example 1.1 Identifying Opportunities for AI Integration

Enhancing Learning with AI-Generated Media

Another area of growing impact is AI image, audio, and video generation. This opens up new possibilities for producing dynamic, multimedia learning resources incredibly fast. Instead of static textbook diagrams, AI tools can generate visualizations, animations, and simulations that breathe life into complex topics like cell biology or lunar cycles.

Examples of AI-Generated Media:

• Visualizations: Interactive diagrams that illustrate abstract concepts.   
• Animations: Dynamic representations of processes such as the water cycle or photosynthesis.   
• Simulations: Real-time simulations for subjects like physics or environmental science. 

See Prompt Example 1.2 Enhancing Learning with AI Generated Media

Integrating AI Throughout the Learning Process

Creating lesson content on the fly is great, but it's important to consider when different types of content are most effective in supporting instruction. As you incorporate your new AI capabilities, be intentional about how you might intersperse AI-generated content throughout all phases of units and lessons. Allowing students to directly use AI tools can provide compelling anticipatory set activities, while simulations offer opportunities to apply new knowledge through activities. 

Examples of AI Integration:

• Anticipatory Set: Use AI-generated videos to introduce new topics and spark curiosity.
• Guided Practice: Implement AI-driven simulations for hands-on learning.
• Assessment: Utilize AI tools to create adaptive quizzes and exams. 

Ultimately, the purpose of designing an AI-enhanced curriculum is to strategically leverage the technology as a tool for making learning more interactive, personalized, and engaging. You can create personalized, student-centered curriculum that brings abstract concepts to life and adapts to learners' needs in little time.

See Prompt Example 1.3 Integrating AI Throughout the Learning Process

Instructional Delivery

AI may excel at creating text, images, audio, and video, but it also offers powerful capabilities to enhance instructional delivery, creating more personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences. This is because it natively understands human inputs in a way that most computers have lacked before. This allows you to leverage AI to adapt your teaching methods on the fly, provide real-time feedback, and facilitate more interactive classroom environments just by inviting AI into instruction. By thoughtfully leveraging AI tools as your assistant, you can free yourself up to focus more on high impact interventions that require human expertise, relationship building, and critical thinking.

Personalizing Instruction with AI

One of the key benefits of AI in instructional delivery is its ability to personalize learning experiences. AI can analyze student data in real-time, providing insights into individual learning patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. This allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the unique needs of each student.

Examples of AI-Powered Personalization:

• Adaptive Learning Paths: AI algorithms that adjust content difficulty based on student performance.
• Personalized Recommendations: Suggesting relevant resources or activities based on individual interests or needs.

See Prompt Example 1.4 Personalizing Instruction with AI

Enhancing Classroom Interaction

AI tools are increasingly facilitating dynamic and interactive classroom experiences, promoting student engagement and collaboration. These technologies can support various instructional strategies, from flipped classrooms to project-based learning without the lift that these methods once required. 

Examples of AI-Enhanced Interaction:

• Project Idea Generator: AI tools that suggest unique project concepts aligned with curriculum goals.   
• Role-Play Scenario Creator: Develop detailed character profiles and situations for immersive role-playing exercises. 

See Prompt Example 1.5 Enhancing Classroom Interaction

Providing Timely and Targeted Feedback

We know that any delay between student output and teacher feedback is lost time, so many generative AI tools prioritize delivering immediate feedback. This allows students to quickly identify and correct misconceptions, reinforcing learning in real-time and giving them greater ownership of their learning objectives. 

Examples of AI-Assisted Feedback:

• Automated Essay Scoring: AI tools that provide instant feedback on writing assignments, focusing on structure, coherence, and grammar.  
• Concept Checks: Quick, AI-generated bell ringers, or exit tickets, that assess understanding of key points. 

See Prompt Example 1.6 Providing Timely and Targeted Feedback

Differentiating Instruction

It’s worth taking time to dive into one of the most powerful current capabilities of AI: real time adaptation of existing curriculum and instructional materials to meet diverse learning needs. This technology excels at transforming content to support English language learners, adjust reading levels, and provide special education accommodations, allowing educators to quickly tailor materials for individual student requirements.

Examples of Adapting for English Language Learners:

AI can swiftly modify existing content to support English language learners:  

• Simplified Language: AI can rewrite complex texts using simpler vocabulary and sentence structures while maintaining core content.   
• Bilingual Content: AI can generate side-by-side translations of materials in a student's native language. 

See Prompt Example 1.7 Adapting for English Language Learners

Examples of Adjusting Reading Levels:

AI tools can quickly adapt text complexity to match various reading levels:  

• Lexile Level Adjustment: AI can rewrite content to target specific Lexile measures, making texts more accessible or challenging as needed.   
• Vocabulary Customization: AI can substitute words based on grade-level vocabulary lists, ensuring appropriate language difficulty. 

See Prompt Example 1.8 Adjusting Reading Levels

Examples of Special Education Accommodations:

AI can rapidly modify materials to meet specific special education needs:  

• Visual Supports: AI can generate accompanying visuals, diagrams, or graphic organizers to support understanding of written content.   
• Audio Versions: AI can create natural-sounding audio recordings of written materials for students with reading difficulties.   
• Chunked Content: AI can break down longer texts or complex instructions into smaller, more manageable parts. 

See Prompt Example 1.9 Special Education Accommodations

Learning Assessments

By now you’ve hopefully realized that AI tools offer powerful capabilities to enhance both formative and summative assessment practices in education. As with creating and curating instructional materials and delivering instruction, these tools can significantly aid in differentiating and personalizing assessments, making them more authentic and relevant to individual students.

Assessing Student Learning

Applying AI to formative and summative assessment types requires intentional consideration to align with their respective goals. In summative assessments, AI can enhance the creation of comprehensive, personalized evaluation tools. For formative assessments, AI can offer real-time, adaptive feedback to support the learning process. In both cases, AI should complement, not replace, your role in interpreting results and making instructional decisions.

Enhancing Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is a critical process in education, providing ongoing feedback to improve student learning and inform teaching strategies. The Assessment Learning Network defines formative assessment as "a planned, ongoing process used by all students and teachers during learning and teaching to elicit and use evidence of student learning to improve student understanding of intended disciplinary learning outcomes and support students to become more self-directed learners" (CCSSO SCASS, 2017). 

AI tools can support the key components of effective formative assessment:  

• Use of learning targets and goal setting: AI can help generate clear, personalized learning targets and track progress towards these goals.   
• Evidence of student understanding: AI tools can analyze student responses and work in real-time, providing instant insights into student comprehension.   
• Closing the gap/responding to students: Based on the analysis of student understanding, AI can suggest tailored instructional strategies and resources to address identified gaps.   
• Standards alignment: AI tools can help identify and align assessment items and content to existing standards. 

Examples of AI in Formative Assessment:

• Automated feedback: AI can provide immediate, personalized feedback on student work, allowing for rapid iteration and improvement.   
• Adaptive questioning: AI can generate follow-up questions based on student responses, probing deeper into their understanding.   
• Progress tracking: AI tools can monitor student progress over time, identifying trends and patterns to inform instruction. 

See Prompt Example 2.0 Enhancing Formative Assessment

Data Analysis

This passage is meant to be cautionary. While AI tools offer promising capabilities for data analysis in education, just like integration into assessment, their use comes with significant risks and challenges that require careful consideration. The inherent issues associated with AI, such as hallucinations (generating plausible but false information) and biases (more on this later), pose particular concerns in the context of educational data analysis. These tools may produce convincing but inaccurate insights or perpetuate existing biases in educational data, potentially leading to misguided decisions that impact student learning and outcomes.
Moreover, the use of AI for data analysis in K-12 environments is fraught with data privacy and security concerns. Educational institutions must navigate a complex landscape of regulations, including COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act). 
These regulations place requirements on the collection, use, and protection of student data. Utilizing AI tools, especially those provided by third-party vendors, may risk violating these regulations if proper safeguards are not in place. 

Despite these challenges, the future integration of AI into educational data analysis holds potential when implemented thoughtfully and securely. As AI technologies evolve, we may see their integration into existing secure systems that you already use, such as: 

• Student Information Systems (SIS): AI could enhance the analysis of attendance patterns, demographic data, and academic performance trends, providing more nuanced insights while maintaining data within the school's secure environment.   
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): AI-powered analytics could offer deeper insights into student engagement, learning patterns, and content effectiveness, all while keeping data within the protected LMS ecosystem.  

As with any AI integration, it will be crucial that you receive thorough training on how to interpret AI-generated insights and maintain human oversight in all decision-making processes.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Equity

It may seem that cheating and plagiarism are the most pressing concerns with AI for you, but as a learning community, there is a need to spend more time looking at the larger ethical considerations that you may impart to students today that will serve them well in the future. In recent history, K-12 learning has faced many hard lessons around equity of access and the digital divide. This will only be exacerbated by students' access to and familiarity with AI tools. If AI tools are not intentionally embraced as part of a K-12 learner’s journey, understanding and use of these tools will only benefit the students who have access outside of a formal learning environment. We can work towards a future where every student gains intentional use of AI tools that focus on modeling safe, ethical, and productive use, mitigating an outcome where many students would not be prepared with the workforce skills of the 21st century.

Special Education

While we've explored how AI can enhance content creation, differentiation, and personalized instruction in general education settings, its application in special education warrants distinct attention. The unique challenges and individualized nature of special education present both heightened considerations and expanded opportunities for AI integration. Special education teachers, tasked with addressing diverse learning needs, developing individualized education programs (IEPs), and providing specialized support, may find generative AI to be a particularly powerful tool when used thoughtfully and ethically.

Tutoring & Support

The first major impact of generative AI tools has been focused on enhanced tutoring and student support, enabling more one on one direct instruction from AI agents who help diagnose and provide support for students. Many of these systems offer teacher oversight to give teachers a glimpse into how students use and communicate with agents. We’ve already seen dozens of new tools focused on tutoring and diagnostics. The ability to allow students access to personalized, on-demand tutoring, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is an undeniable benefit.

• Immediate responses to student questions
• Explanations tailored to individual learner needs and prior knowledge
• Step-by-step guidance through problem-solving processes
• Adaptive questioning to probe deeper into student understanding

See Prompt Example 2.5 Tutoring and Support

Professional Learning and Community Engagement

The integration of AI into education necessitates a culture of continuous professional growth and collaboration amongst the community. As learning experiences evolve with AI capabilities, you must empower yourself to develop expertise in leveraging these technologies effectively.

Professional Learning

As a teacher, your commitment to lifelong learning is more crucial than ever in the face of rapidly evolving AI technologies. AI offers unique opportunities to enhance and personalize your own professional learning journey. By leveraging AI tools, you can create tailored learning experiences, access vast resources, and experiment with new teaching strategies in ways that were previously impossible. In the same spirit of collaborative learning and growth in which AI can be of personal assistance to students, we'll explore two key aspects of AI-enhanced professional development that can help personalize professional learning for you.

Example of Using Tools for Managing, Curating, and Creating Professional Learning Experiences

As a teacher integrating AI into your classroom, you've already developed skills in creating personalized learning experiences, curating content, and leveraging AI for various educational tasks. These same skills can be applied to enhance your own professional learning journey.

• Personalized Learning Pathways: Use AI to design a tailored professional development plan that aligns with your skills, interests, and goals by suggesting relevant courses, webinars, or resources.
• Content Curation: Leverage AI to curate articles, research papers, and educational resources specific to your areas of interest, helping you stay updated without information overload.
• Reflective Practice: Utilize AI tools to analyze your teaching practices, providing insights into areas for improvement and tracking your professional growth over time.

See Prompt Example 3.1 Using Tools for Managing, Curating, and Creating Professional Learning Experiences

Example of AI as a Sandbox for Professional Learning

AI tools offer a unique "sandbox" environment for professional learning that traditional methods often can't match. This sandbox approach allows you to explore, prototype, and apply ideas in real time, providing a level of interactivity and personalization that can significantly enhance the learning experience.

• Rapid Prototyping of Lesson Plans: Use AI to quickly generate multiple variations of lesson plans, allowing you to explore diverse teaching approaches efficiently.
• Simulated Classroom Scenarios: Practice and refine your teaching strategies by role-playing various classroom situations with AI, providing a safe space for experimentation.

By using AI as a sandbox for professional learning, you can engage in more dynamic, personalized, and exploratory professional development. This approach allows for rapid experimentation and application of new ideas, fostering innovation in your teaching practice.

See Prompt Example 3.2 AI as a Sandbox for Professional Learning

Communication with Parents and Guardians

It’s important to disclose the use of AI for multiple reasons, and when you are working with students, letting the parents and guardians know is just as important. Many may have questions or concerns about AI's role in their child's education. Here are suggestions to effectively communicate about AI integration:

Educate and Inform

Example of providing clear, accessible information about AI in education:

• Explain what AI is and how it's being used in the classroom
• Offer resources for parents to learn more about AI in education

See Prompt Example 3.3 Educate and Inform

Showcase AI-Enhanced Learning

Example of demonstrating how AI is positively impacting student learning:

• Share examples of AI-enhanced projects or activities
• Illustrate how AI tools are preparing students for future careers

See Prompt Example 3.4 Showcase AI-Enhanced Learning

Administrative Tasks

As you can see from the rest of this guide, there’s plenty of opportunity to bring AI even into the most mundane processes to streamline them. This is where the use of AI tools will allow you to focus more on student interaction and less on paperwork. Below are some ways you can leverage AI to enhance your administrative efficiency:

• Draft initial emails to parents or colleagues in their native languages
• Generate meeting agendas and minutes for meetings
• Create personalized progress reports for students and parents
• Scheduling and calendar management

As outlined in this guide, AI tools have the potential to help you free up valuable time and energy to focus on what matters most: fostering meaningful learning experiences and building strong relationships with your students. Every aspect of what you do as a teacher matters. Being able to create efficiencies that help you focus on your students will pay dividends for them in the years to come!

See Prompt Example 4.0 Administrative Tasks

Conclusion

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this guide and it’s put you on a solid start to discovering how to work with AI in your classroom. The integration of AI presents both exciting opportunities and important challenges. As we all look to the future, it's clear that AI will play an increasingly significant role in shaping how we teach and learn. However, always remember that the human element - embodied in skilled, adaptable teachers - remains crucial to nurturing students' critical thinking, creativity, and ethics. Moving forward, your thoughtful approach to AI use will be essential to realizing its benefits. This guide is an attempt to help you navigate that space.

Resources and Tools for Teachers

Prompt Examples

To help you gain hands-on experience with generative AI tools, we've compiled a set of sample prompts you can use with large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot, Google's Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. These prompts are designed to help you explore various aspects of generative AI that we've covered in this guide.

Feel free to experiment with these prompts using any of the major LLM chat clients. While the responses may vary slightly between models, the core functionality is similar across platforms. Remember that AI outputs should be critically evaluated and fact-checked, especially when dealing with educational content.

1.1 AI Integration

Create 5 personalized lesson activators for middle school students:

1. Science fiction (advanced skills)
2. Sports (needs descriptive writing support)
3. Environmental issues (intermediate skills)
4. Music (struggles with character development)
5. History (excels at world-building)

For each, explain how it targets the student's interests. Include relevant vocabulary words or literary devices to incorporate.

1.2 Enhancing Learning with AI Generated Media

Create an interactive table on the Declaration of Independence for high school students. Include:

• document structure (introduction, preamble, indictments, denunciation, conclusion)
• hierarchical breakdown of main ideas
• expandable elements (key quotes, concept explanations, historical context)
• color-coded themes
• and a timeline of key events. Ensure clarity, engagement, and visual appeal.

Add a brief explanation on how teachers can use this table to enhance lessons.

1.3 Integrating AI Throughout the Learning Process

You are an AI assistant running "EcoQuest", a text-based ecosystem simulation for 5th-grade students. Present scenarios about a forest ecosystem, ask for decisions, and describe outcomes educationally. Components: Forest Animals (Deer, Wolves, Rabbits, Foxes, Bears), Plants (Trees, Grass, Berries), Environmental Factors (Weather, Seasons). Simulation Flow: 1) Start with a balanced ecosystem. 2) Each round, present a scenario and ask for a decision. 3) Describe consequences. 4) Update on population levels and ecosystem health. 5) Introduce random events occasionally. Guidelines: Use simple language for 5th-graders. Provide vivid descriptions. Explain ecological concepts as they become relevant. Offer choices demonstrating cause-and-effect. Include problem-solving opportunities. Balance entertainment and education. Start with an overview of the forest and current population levels. Present 3-4 choices each round, including a "do nothing" option. Describe immediate and long-term effects of choices. Introduce random events like droughts or disease outbreaks periodically. Use population numbers for animals and qualitative descriptions (abundant, scarce, etc.) for plants. Maintain internal consistency, tracking changes over time. Explain ecological principles as they become relevant. If students make choices that severely unbalance the ecosystem, provide opportunities to correct course. End each round by summarizing the current state of the ecosystem and asking if they want to continue or end the simulation. Be prepared to explain any ecological concepts in child-friendly terms if the teacher asks.

1.4 Personalizing Instruction with AI

Create a lesson plan that connects the 8th grade math standard of understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem to the context of race car driving. Include specific examples of how race car engineers or drivers might use this concept in their work, such as calculating optimal racing lines or designing track layouts. Provide 2-3 engaging activities that allow students to apply the Pythagorean Theorem in race car-related scenarios. Tailor the lesson to appeal to students who have expressed interest in motorsports or automotive engineering.

1.5 Enhancing Classroom Interaction

Create a set of 5-6 detailed character profiles and a specific situation for an immersive role-playing exercise based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. Include key characters from the play, such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, and others. For each character, provide their background, motivations, and current state of mind. Then, describe a pivotal scene or moment from the play that these characters will act out. Include specific details about the setting, any props or costumes that might be used, and key points of conflict or tension between the characters. The scenario should allow students to explore the complex themes of ambition, guilt, and fate present in the play. Finally, suggest 2-3 discussion questions that can be used after the role-play to deepen students' understanding of the characters' actions and motivations.

1.6 Providing Timely and Targeted Feedback

Create 5 multiple-choice questions on photosynthesis for 9th grade biology. For each: provide question stem, 4 options (A-D), correct answer, brief explanation, and a follow-up prompt for incorrect answers. Cover key aspects like chlorophyll's role, light energy, reactants/products, and ecological significance. Add a short paragraph on effective classroom use of these AI-generated questions, including implementation tips and benefits.

1.7 Adapting for English Language Learners

Create a high school lesson on photosynthesis with: 1) Original text explaining the process, components, and importance; 2) Simplified English version; 3) Spanish translation; 4) Key terms and definitions. Present in three side-by-side columns (original, simplified English, Spanish) with key terms below. Cover: introduction, components, process, products, and ecosystem importance. This format supports both content learning and language skills for Spanish-speaking students.

1.8 Adjusting Reading Levels

Adapt the provided high school history text for 5th, 8th, and 10th grade reading levels. For each level, provide an adapted version and briefly explain your main changes. 5th grade: Use simple words and focus on main ideas. 8th grade: Use slightly more complex language with more details. 10th grade: Use more advanced vocabulary and add context. For all levels: maintain historical accuracy, ensure engagement and comprehension, and adjust length as needed. Present your adaptations and explanations for each grade level.

1.9 Special Education Accommodations

Analyze the provided long reading passage and produce a concise summary highlighting the key points of the text, using bullet points or numbered lists for clarity when appropriate. Ensure that your summary maintains the original meaning and context while making the content more accessible and easier to understand.

2.0 Enhancing Formative Assessment

Analyze the following set of assessment questions for a high school biology course and align them with relevant Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Identify key concepts in each question, match them to specific NGSS performance expectations, and provide a brief explanation for each alignment.

Sample assessment:

• What is the primary function of photosynthesis in plants?
• Name the two main reactants required for photosynthesis.
• In which part of a plant cell does photosynthesis primarily occur?

2.1 Understanding AI Systems

Design an interactive activity for high school students that demonstrates how a basic machine learning model works. The activity should include a hands-on component where students can see how the model "learns" from data and makes predictions. Include step-by-step instructions for the activity, a list of necessary materials or digital tools, and 2-3 discussion questions to help students reflect on the implications of what they've learned about AI systems.

2.2 Evaluating AI Outputs

Create a 45-minute lesson plan on evaluating AI-generated content, including a brief introduction on critical evaluation (5 minutes), a hands-on comparison activity between AI content and reputable sources (20 minutes), a guided discussion on findings and discrepancies (15 minutes), and a wrap-up with key takeaways and fact-checking strategies (5 minutes). Provide specific, grade-appropriate examples of AI content and reputable sources for the activity, ensuring alignment with curriculum standards.

2.3 Privacy and Data Rights

Create 5 scenario-based discussion prompts on data privacy in AI, each presenting a realistic situation students might face when sharing personal data with AI systems. For each scenario, provide a brief description, 2-3 guiding questions on risks and benefits, and a key takeaway about data privacy and AI. Ensure the scenarios are age-appropriate and relevant to students' daily lives, covering various aspects of data privacy in AI contexts.

2.4 Ethics and Responsibility in AI

Design a project where students create ethical guidelines for AI use in schools, comprising four phases: research on existing AI ethics frameworks, analysis of key ethical issues in educational AI, creation of guidelines or a code of conduct, and presentation to the class. Include a rubric for assessment, evaluating comprehensiveness, practicality, and alignment with core ethical principles.

2.5 Tutoring and Support

You are an adaptive AI math tutor designed to help high school students understand and master algebra concepts. Your role is to engage students in a dialogue, ask probing questions, and provide tailored explanations based on their responses. Your goal is to assess and deepen their understanding of algebraic concepts. Follow these guidelines: 1. Begin by asking the student what specific algebra topic they'd like to work on, then start with a basic question to gauge their initial understanding. 2. Adapt your questions and explanations based on the student's responses: If correct, ask more challenging questions; if partially correct, address misunderstandings; if incorrect, provide brief explanations and ask simpler questions. 3. Use a mix of question types (multiple choice, open-ended, step-by-step problem-solving) and break down complex problems into smaller steps when needed. 4. Provide positive reinforcement and occasionally ask metacognitive questions to help students reflect on their learning process. 5. At the end of the session, summarize key points, ask if the student has any questions, and provide a brief assessment of their understanding with suggestions for further practice. Maintain a patient, encouraging tone throughout the interaction. Your goal is not just to assess, but to support and enhance the student's learning experience.

3.1 Using Tools for Managing, Curating, and Creating Professional Learning Experiences

You are an AI Reflective Practice Assistant for teachers. Your role is to guide teachers through reflecting on their teaching experiences, identify areas for improvement, and track their professional growth. Process: 1. Ask about a recent teaching experience. 2. Guide reflection with questions about objectives, strategies, student engagement, and challenges. 3. Analyze responses to identify strengths and areas for improvement. 4. Provide constructive feedback and suggest 1-2 specific goals. Always maintain a supportive and constructive tone, encouraging ongoing reflection and improvement in teaching practice.

3.2 AI as a Sandbox for Professional Learning

You are an AI teaching assistant for simulated classroom scenarios. Core functionality: 1) Role-play as students with various behaviors. 2) Present realistic classroom management challenges. 3) Provide feedback on teacher's responses. Interaction guidelines: 1) Ask about teacher's subject, grade level, and specific concerns. 2) Maintain a supportive tone while offering constructive feedback. 3) Encourage diverse management strategies. Focus on this scenario: "Let's start with a common challenge. I'll play the role of a 7th-grade student who's consistently disrupting your science class. How would you address this behavior?" Simulate realistic disruptive behaviors (e.g., talking out of turn, distracting others, refusing to participate) and respond authentically to the teacher's management attempts. After the interaction, offer feedback on the effectiveness of their approach, suggesting alternative strategies if appropriate.

3.3 Educate and Inform

Create a one-page FAQ document for parents about AI use in your classroom. Include:

1. A simple definition of AI
2. 3-4 specific ways you're using AI to support learning
3. Answers to common parent concerns (e.g., data privacy, screen time)
4. Resources for parents to learn more about AI in education

3.4 Showcase AI-Enhanced Learning

Design a presentation for a parent night on "AI in Our Classroom." Include:

1. An overview of AI tools being used
2. Before-and-after examples of student work enhanced by AI
3. Student testimonials about their experiences with AI tools
4. A hands-on demo where parents can try an AI tool themselves

4.0 Administrative Tasks

Develop a set of email templates for common teacher-parent communications. For each template, include:

1. A specific purpose (e.g., positive feedback, academic concern)
2. Key information to be included
3. Placeholders for personalization
4. An English, Spanish and Arabic version

AI Applications in Education

Navigating AI Tools+

Integrating AI tools into your teaching practice can enhance efficiency, engagement, and personalized learning. Below is a curated list of AI-powered educational tools, each accompanied by a description and guidance on effective usage:

SchoolAI

SchoolAI is an all-in-one AI platform designed for teachers, students, and school leaders. It offers personalized learning experiences, real-time insights into student progress, and seamless integration with existing educational systems.  

How to Use:

• Personalized Learning: Utilize SchoolAI to tailor lesson plans, worksheets, and quizzes to meet individual student needs, enhancing comprehension and engagement.  
• Progress Monitoring: Leverage real-time insights to track student performance, enabling timely interventions and support.  
• Integration: Incorporate SchoolAI with your existing SIS, LMS, or Google Workspace to streamline workflows and maintain consistency across platforms.  

Magic School/Student

Magic School AI is an AI-powered platform that supports teachers with lesson planning, content creation, and classroom management. It aims to save time by automating repetitive tasks and offering ready-made teaching materials.  

How to Use:

• Lesson Planning: Generate comprehensive lesson plans quickly, allowing more time for direct student interaction.  
• Content Creation: Create quizzes, presentations, and other instructional materials with ease, enhancing the learning experience.  
• Classroom Management: Utilize built-in tools to streamline administrative tasks, enabling a more organized classroom environment.  

Curipod

Curipod is an interactive presentation tool that fosters real-time engagement and collaborative lesson planning. It focuses on creating dynamic, interactive materials to enhance student participation.  

How to Use:

• Interactive Lessons: Design presentations that include polls, quizzes, and collaborative activities to boost student engagement.  
• Real-Time Feedback: Gather immediate responses from students to assess understanding and adjust instruction accordingly.  
• Collaborative Planning: Work with colleagues to develop and share lesson plans, promoting a cohesive teaching approach.  

Snorkl

Snorkl is an AI tool that assists educators in creating differentiated learning materials tailored to various student reading levels and abilities.  

How to Use:

• Content Differentiation: Adjust reading materials to match the diverse proficiency levels within your classroom, ensuring accessibility for all students.  
• Resource Creation: Develop customized worksheets and assignments that cater to individual learning needs, promoting inclusivity.  
• Assessment Adaptation: Modify assessments to align with each student's capabilities, providing a fair evaluation of their understanding.  

Wayground (Formerly Quizizz)

Wayground (formerly Quizizz) is an interactive learning platform that allows educators to create engaging quizzes and polls, facilitating both formative and summative assessments.  

How to Use:

• Assessment Creation: Design quizzes that provide instant feedback, helping students identify areas for improvement.  
• Gamified Learning: Incorporate game elements to make learning more enjoyable and motivating for students.  
• Data Analysis: Analyze quiz results to inform instructional strategies and address learning gaps.  

WeVideo

WeVideo is a cloud-based video creation platform that enables educators and students to produce and edit videos, fostering creativity and enhancing digital literacy.  

How to Use:

• Project-Based Learning: Assign video projects that allow students to demonstrate understanding in a creative format.  
• Instructional Videos: Create tutorials and lesson summaries to supplement classroom instruction.  
• Collaborative Editing: Encourage students to work together on video projects, promoting teamwork and communication skills.  

Canva Magic Studio

Canva Magic Studio is an AI-powered suite within Canva that streamlines the design process, enabling the creation of engaging educational materials.  

How to Use:

• Design Creation: Develop visually appealing presentations, posters, and worksheets to enhance lesson delivery.  
• AI Assistance: Utilize AI features to generate design suggestions and automate repetitive tasks, saving time.  
• Student Projects: Incorporate Canva into student assignments to build digital literacy and creativity.  

Diffit

Diffit is an AI tool that specializes in creating differentiated learning materials, particularly in adjusting reading levels to suit individual student needs.  

How to Use:

• Reading Material Adjustment: Modify texts to align with various reading abilities, ensuring all students can access the content.  
• Customized Assignments: Create assignments that cater to the specific learning requirements of each student, promoting personalized learning.  
• Inclusive Instruction: Ensure that instructional materials are accessible to all students, regardless of their proficiency levels.  

Brisk Teaching

Brisk Teaching is an AI tool designed to enhance teacher productivity by automating tasks such as lesson planning, feedback generation, and administrative duties.  

How to Use:

• Lesson Planning: Generate detailed lesson plans quickly, allowing more time for student engagement.  
• Feedback Automation: Provide personalized feedback efficiently, supporting student growth and development.  
• Administrative Support: Automate routine tasks to reduce workload and focus on instructional quality.  

Brisk Boost

Brisk Boost is an extension of Brisk Teaching, offering AI-powered tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.  

How to Use:

• Interactive Activities: Create engaging learning experiences that captivate students and reinforce understanding.  
• Real-Time Support: Provide instant assistance and resources to students, facilitating continuous learning.  
• Progress Tracking: Monitor student engagement and performance to inform instructional decisions.  

Best Practices for Selecting and Integrating AI Tools in Educational Settings+

Integrating AI tools into education requires thoughtful planning and execution. By following these best practices, educators can ensure that AI tools are thoughtfully selected and effectively integrated, maximizing their potential to enhance teaching and learning while maintaining a focus on student success. Below are best practices to help ensure their effective and responsible use.

Define Clear Objectives

• Identify Needs: Determine what you want to achieve with AI, such as improving student engagement, personalizing learning, or streamlining administrative tasks. 
• Align with Goals: Ensure the tool supports your school or district's strategic goals and educational standards.  

Evaluate Tool Suitability

• Relevance to Curriculum: Choose tools that align with the subjects and grade levels you teach. 
• Ease of Use: Select tools that are user-friendly for both teachers and students, minimizing the learning curve. 
• Scalability: Consider whether the tool can be scaled across multiple classrooms or schools if needed. 

Prioritize Data Privacy and Security

• Review Policies: Ensure the tool complies with data protection laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act). 
• Data Usage Transparency: Choose vendors that clearly outline how they collect, use, and store data. 

Ensure Accessibility and Equity

• Inclusive Design: Select tools that are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities or limited access to technology. 
• Differentiated Learning: Look for features that allow customization to meet diverse student needs. 

Involve Stakeholders

• Teacher Input: Involve educators in the selection process to ensure the tool meets classroom needs. 
• Student Feedback: Gather student perspectives to assess usability and engagement. 
• Parent Communication: Inform parents about the purpose and benefits of using AI tools in the classroom. 

Provide Professional Development

• Training Programs: Offer teachers training on how to use the tools effectively and integrate them into their instruction. 
• Ongoing Support: Provide access to resources, tutorials, and support systems for continuous learning. 

Pilot and Evaluate

• Small-Scale Implementation: Test the tool in a few classrooms before a full rollout. 
• Collect Feedback: Regularly gather data from teachers and students to evaluate the tool’s impact. 
• Adjust as Needed: Make modifications based on feedback to improve effectiveness. 

Foster Ethical Use

• Promote Responsible AI Use: Educate teachers and students on ethical considerations, such as avoiding bias and respecting privacy. 
• Transparency: Be clear about the capabilities and limitations of AI tools to set realistic expectations. 

Integrate with Existing Systems

• Compatibility: Ensure the tool works seamlessly with your school’s current systems, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) or Student Information Systems (SIS). 
• Streamlined Workflows: Use AI to enhance, not complicate, existing processes. 

Focus on Continuous Improvement

• Regular Reviews: Periodically assess the tool’s performance and its contribution to student outcomes. 
• Stay Updated: Keep informed about advancements in AI technology and educational best practices. 
• Adapt Strategies: Be flexible in adapting tools and methods as new needs or challenges arise.