AI Based Tools

Some of the most common and useful AI-based tools that teachers can integrate into their classrooms include Gemini (by Google’s DeepMind), Copilot and ChatGPT, among others. As teachers explore these tools, it is essential to consider their age appropriateness and how they align with educational objectives. When using generative AI to support student learning, teachers should also be aware of their school’s policies on AI usage and ensure that these tools are leveraged as learning aids rather than shortcuts. For example, instead of allowing students to copy answers directly from Gemini, teachers can encourage them to use AI to enhance problem-solving skills, such as helping students learn to debug program code.

Google AI

Provides access to Google’s most capable AI ecosystem, Gemini

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Canva

Canva provides a range of AI image generators, such as Magic Media with its text to image functionality. Eligible teachers can create a Canva for Education account which can provide a type of virtual classroom for students, tailored to a broad range of subject areas, and which can be designed to engage and encourage student interaction and collaboration.

Benefit for teachers:

Embed creative elements within learning activities, such as collaborative projects where students create presentations of their collaborative projects which feature visual elements generated by AI tools such as Canva’s image generators. For those students who have trouble sketching their ideas for a project (as an example), Canva’s tools can help in creating a visualisation that exists in the student’s mind from a text prompt. This tool could be particularly useful for students in Media Studies or in Visual Arts classes.

ChatGPT

One of the most widely used generative AI tools, ChatGPT can be used by both teachers and students (as part of teacher-moderated activities).

Teachers can use ChatGPT to help with: administrative tasks; developing ideas for providing differentiated learning experiences; creating assessment tasks and rubrics; or use as a guest speaker in the classroom. Students can use ChatGPT for creating story starters (literacy class) and explaining maths concepts and/or solutions to maths problems.

Khanmigo

Khan Academy’s AI tool, Khanmigo, offers assistance and resources to teachers, students and parents.

Teachers can sign up for free, but a paid subscription is also available, which allows access to a broader set of tools and resources. For example, the Khanmigo AI tool provides teachers with differentiated lesson planning ideas, rubrics, exit tickets, and a refresher on content knowledge that needs to be taught to their students. Additionally, Khanmigo also features an AI-powered tutor, which can help students with personalised tutoring, as well as providing teachers with insights into how their students are progressing.

Perplexity AI

An AI-powered search engine which acts as a virtual research assistant, providing concise answers with citations. A free plan is available.

Teachers can use this tool in a variety of ways, such as: (1) professional development by leveraging Perplexity AI’s ability to access the latest educational trends and research, which can then be integrated within their teaching; (2) developing unit and lesson plans which contain current and engaging content; and (3) designing quizzes and assessment tasks. Students, particularly senior secondary school students, can use Perplexity AI as part of an inquiry-based learning project where they formulate questions and explore answers.

Story AI

An AI-driven story telling platform designed for creating quick and engaging mini-stories and videos of up to 60 seconds. This tool can be adapted to secondary school classrooms, though for primary school classrooms, tools such as Scratch might provide a better (i.e. more age-appropriate) method for introducing students to digital storytelling.

Teachers can have their students use this interactive story telling platform to effectively address gender stereotyping and promote gender inclusivity. For example, students can create stories with diverse and inclusive characters or create stories that challenge traditional gender roles (e.g. feature characters in non-stereotypical professions).
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