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AI/VR

The World Above the Low Expectation of Students Cheating with AI

by Patrick Hausammann
written by Patrick Hausammann

Too often the conversations around students and generative artificial intelligence (genAI) revolve solely around cheating or academic dishonesty. As any veteran educator can attest to, setting expectations low and solely focusing on one element, make the focus of the students and provide no incentive to reach a higher level or expectation. Staying within this low level view of student genAI is doing a disservice to any student in such a classroom, school, or district. We must assemble teams of rightsholders to craft guidelines and provide recommendations of use, software, and curriculum to provide students with a well-rounded genAI education with hands-on, experiential learning.

Make Up of the Team

As you begin to think about the team that will lead your genAI work, please think about all those rightsholders that could be affected by a lack of knowledge or skills. Example members could include, but not be limited to, students, guardians, teachers, building leaders, district leaders, community members, and school board members. If it isn’t possible to include all of these members throughout the process, it is critical that they are included at milestone moments to provide feedback and help craft the final product(s). Being part of the process can provide a modicum of ownership and buy-in for the eventual implementation.

Artifacts to Create

This team doesn’t have an easy or small task to accomplish by any means. The ever-evolving nature of genAI ensures that this team’s work must continue past initial guidelines, professional development, etc. This team should meet at least east semester, after the initial more frequent meetings, to ensure valuable guidance artifacts remain as up-to-date as possible. Some of these creations are listed below but every school and district is different, just like our students, so your team should evaluate and create based on your unique needs.

Initial Needs:

  • Resource curation
  • AI plan that includes informing & training all stakeholders, guidelines for responsible use of genAI differentiated by school level, curriculum review & creation, tool evaluation and approval for use

Ongoing Needs:

  • Examination of education community needs and corresponding tools
  • Resource Curation
  • Document updates based on new capabilities, tools, etc.
  • Review of tools for privacy, security, and age-appropriateness for potential approval for use
  • Differentiated professional development
  • Empowerment opportunities for each group of rightsholders

Curriculum for Students

Now that your genAI team has a plan and guidelines in place, a key element of implementation must be creating or selecting a curriculum to educate students. It is likely that your team will need to customize curated curriculum resources to create a tailored experience aligned to the needs of your students. Some valuable resources to aid you in this process are listed below. Utilize the comments section and/or social media to share others you find during your important work to prepare students for the future world they’ll enter.

Tools for Students

Throughout your curriculum, you will have included numerous tools and/or uses of tools that give your students a well rounded and experiential learning experience with genAI. Some of the best tools available for schools have a cost associated with them or are what I call “freemium” tools that provide a certain level or amount of use before hitting a paywall. As you complete your initial work in the space of selecting genAI tools for student use, or look to expand your current plan’s resource bank, consider the tools below and add your own through comments or social media.

Free and No-Login

Free

Freemium/Paid

Examples of Student Use

Though many of the most popular tools are not rated for students to use, especially without parental permission, the tools in the prior section provide safe avenues to hands-on learning opportunities. After identifying the tools that will be available to use, it is critical to follow tenets of meaningful technology integration (SAMR, TPACK, PICRAT, EdTech Triangle, VATT) to ensure use isn’t simply to play with the shiny new tool. Educational technology use should enhance what has been done before or create new opportunities that didn’t exist before. It should never be used just to be used nor should it come before the learning objective in the planning process. Some examples of student genAI use and learning are below. What will you and your team design for students?

Conclusion

Though genAI is the elephant in nearly every educational room right now, it is critically important to keep our focus on what education should always be about… what is best for students. Some zealous genAI advocates claim it to be the magical tool to fix all things in education, but this is simply not true. No one tool or educator can be the thing that makes education amazing for every student. Relationships and teamwork throughout an educational community are what make the student journey both memorable and full of growth. Throughout the not so distant past in education this community has evolved through innovations of this magnitude before (i.e. the internet) and it will again. The key is to keep our focus on human connection, important learning targets, and, only then, on the technologies that can enhance or make new opportunities possible.

More resources for Getting Started with Responsible AI for Students can be found in the linked slide deck.

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AI/VRLibraries

A School Librarian’s Guide to Using ChatGPT’s Book Scout

by Charity Hatley
written by Charity Hatley

Librarians: the unofficial experts on essentially everything. Sure, everyone knows our names, but what we mostly respond to is, “Can you help me with…?” followed by just about anything you can imagine.

Librarians manage meaningful book collections, can budget like a pro, integrate STEAM into learning, support instruction, and teach research skills, all while handling all things technology from glitches to gadgets. They educate, inspire, and help transform students into critical thinkers, curious readers, and responsible digital citizens. They manage multiple roles, not only wearing all the hats but juggling them too, making them a dynamic blend of educator, tech whiz, innovator, and everyday hero.

With so many roles to balance, every time saving tool makes a difference. 

And suddenly…cue the heavenly spotlight and angels singing from above…in walks ChatGPT’s Book Scout. 

The librarian (frazzled but fabulous, and fueled by caffeine) finally discovers the amazingness of Book Scout, a specialized tool within ChatGPT that doesn’t just tip its hat to librarians, it offers to carry a few of theirs too. 

Librarians are used to having all the answers, but what if we got to ask the questions for a change? With Book Scout, you can flip the script and let the tool do the heavy lifting. So, what can ChatGPT’s Book Scout do for you? Here are four smart, time-saving ways to put it to work, paired with extension activities that I have implemented in my library. 

Four Ways to Use ChatGPT’s Book Scout

1. Encourage a Reading Culture

Librarians inspire students to have a deep appreciation for books and nurture lifelong readers who not only enjoy reading but also recognize its power to enrich their lives.

How Book Scout Can Help:

  • Provides creative ideas and activities to promote books and encourage a lasting love of reading. 
  • Helps plan engaging book talks with ready-to-use outlines, scripts, or talking points to inspire readers. 
  • Offers eye-catching, themed book display ideas that make books more visible and inviting to readers. 

Example Prompts:

“What are effective ways to help students reflect deeply on the value of reading and understand how it enriches their lives beyond the classroom?”

“Give creative and engaging ideas for promoting books to students in ways that inform them about titles, showcase what’s exciting or meaningful in the stories, and spark interest in reading.”

“Write a detailed and engaging book talk about the book [TITLE/AUTHOR]. Include a vivid description of the setting, a summary of the plot, the central conflict, and highlight an especially exciting or suspenseful moment to hook students.”

Picture this in your library:

I create book teaser slides to display while giving book talks with each of my classes. I ask students to put their name in a “book lottery” if they want the book. At the end of the day, I draw a name to determine who gets the book first. 

2. Make Reading Personal

Librarians match readers with books that fit their individual interests, needs, and levels.

How Book Scout Can Help:

  • Offers instant, personalized recommendations based on specific criteria.
  • Supports a wide range of readers, including ELL learners, reluctant readers, and genre-specific requests.
  • Can quickly summarize each title for easy comparison and decision-making.

Example Prompts:
“Create a list of books for a student who is a reluctant reader and enjoyed the book [TITLE/AUTHOR].”

“Suggest historical fiction novels for students learning about [TOPIC].”

“What are some recently published, high-interest books for a student-led book club?”

Picture this in your library:

I changed my shelves to accommodate Dynamic Shelving to display high-interest books with their covers facing forward so books are easily seen by students.

3. Designing Meaningful Lessons and Activities

Librarians create experiences that connect to the curriculum, spark curiosity, and help students grow as thinkers, readers, and problem-solvers.

How Book Scout Can Help:

  • Generates lesson ideas and book pairings that align with curriculum topics and student interests.
  • Provides ready-to-use outlines, deeper discussion questions, and activity suggestions to save planning time.
  • Offers creative ways to connect books to real-world themes, promoting deeper thinking and engagement.

Example Prompts:

“Give a list of creative icebreakers or activities for introducing new students to library services and sections?”

“Help me design an inquiry-based research project where students explore [TOPIC] using library databases and resources. Include steps and specific questions to deepen their thinking on the topic as well as ideas of unique ways they can present their findings.”

“What are some ideas for opinion boards, digital surveys and student-created displays that I can implement in the library that encourage student voice and ownership?”

Picture this in your library: 

Prior to a book talk, I use Lunapic.com to pixelate images of book covers to spark curiosity in students about the book. 

4. Integrating Technology for Teaching and Learning

Librarians use educational technology to enhance lessons, build digital literacy, and support creative learning. 
How Book Scout Can Help:

  • Suggests tech tools and digital resources that align with book themes or lesson goals.
  • Provides ideas for student-created content. 
  • Generates lesson plans that blend reading, research, and technology to support digital literacy.

Example Prompts:

“What digital resources can I use to support a lesson on [BOOK TITLE/THEME/TOPIC], helping students explore the topic more deeply?”

“What are some technology tools students can use to collaborate on creating a podcast after writing book reviews?”

“Create a clear set of instructions with thoughtful guiding questions to help students create a high-quality book trailer that encourages deeper reflection on the book’s themes and messages.”

Picture this in your library: 

I use Google Classroom to have students design a slide in Canva showcasing a book they’ve read. Then I hold a fun voting competition I call the “Battle of the Book Teaser Slide.” I display the student created slides in the library as a slideshow and also print them to use in lessons where students engage in various sorting activities. This helps with students’ familiarizing themselves with several books at one time.

Want more from the author?

Tune into TCEA’s Librarian Conference this Wednesday, June 25, to attend the Charity Hatley’s session, “Unlocking Student Engagement and Creativity in School Libraries” live. Can’t make it? Purchase your ticket now to get 30-day, on-demand access to recordings of all Librarian Convention sessions!

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AI/VR

Utilizing AI as a Personal Tutor

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

We have started seeing how AI can help us to do things faster and more efficiently. But it can also help us learn necessary content more quickly and easily. To discuss this, let’s take a look at Llama Tutor. (Please note that there are other AI products that can act as a personal tutor, include MagicSchool AI, Brisk Teaching, and Flint, to name just a few. I selected Llama Tutor for this test simply because of its low price.)

What Is Llama Tutor?

Llama Tutor is a completely free website that is designed to create personalized content for your interests at a variety of education levels. You can select elementary, middle school, high school, college, undergrad, or even graduate for the difficulty level of the content. Then enter a topic you want to learn about, and the site will create a personalized tutor for you. 

Because the site is open source, you can even download it and run it on your own server (for district use, for example). 

A Sample Tutoring Session

I tried an elementary level tutoring session on our solar system. Once I entered in my grade level and the topic, the tool gave me the following.

I was given with the basic information,  followed by some “Fun Facts” and other related topics that I might want to learn about. I could then ask other questions or request that it quiz me on the content provided or even give me vocabulary words and definitions from the reading. It is able to provide instant feedback on user input, helping learners identify areas where they need to improve. This immediate feedback allows for quick corrections and a more efficient learning process. 

Llama Tutor has a conversational tone to it, which makes it easier to engage with. And the cited sources are clickable, which means I can follow them for more learning. 

While the site doesn’t provide any graphics of its own, it does link to reputable sites with graphics and videos. 

How Reliable Is Llama Tutor?

LlamaTutor uses a Large Language Model (LLM) to search the web for relevant information using either Bing’s API or Serper’s API. It lists its sources on the right side of the screen so that you can check their authenticity. Because it uses the latest information from the web, it is always current. 

Student data security is a critical component of any AI tool used, and especially for personalization of learning. 

The Future of AI as a Personal Tutor

Finding time to individualize learning for the needs of each student is almost an impossible task for educators today. But AI tools like the Llama Tutor can help. This particular resource is a very basic one, and there will be more advanced models available. But the fact that it is completely free and can be run by a district on its own website makes it a powerful resource to check out.

What can education look like with the use of personalized tutors for each child? It’s not about replacing the teacher. Instead, it’s about allowing each student to learn at his/her own pace while the teacher works with others in small groups. It gives the teacher back time, which is a commodity that is always in short supply in the classroom. While there are definitely safety considerations to be contemplated and ensured, this approach can work for learners of all ages. 

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A cheerful cartoon woman wearing glasses holds an iced drink with a "RELAX" note and a tablet, surrounded by tropical leaves, a smiling sun, and logos for Canva, Wakelet, Book Creator, MagicSchool AI, and a color palette icon, evoking a relaxed summer learning vibe.
Good Teaching

Mix Fun with Forward Thinking This Summer

by Diana Benner
written by Diana Benner

This summer can be both fun and forward-thinking. Whether you’re a classroom teacher looking for fresh tech ideas or an administrator planning for next year, use this summer to not only recharge but to also reignite. Let’s look at how you can blend rest and relaxation while sparking inspiration for next year.

Recharge Your Batteries (You Deserve It!)

First and foremost, give yourself permission to pause. Take that beach trip, finish that book, binge watch that show guilt-free, and have fun. A mental reset is essential to your long-term health. Take a look at this reset checklist for a list of additional ideas.

Small Steps, Big Ideas

This summer, think of growth in micro-doses. There is no need to overhaul your entire curriculum. You could try a couple of these things:

  • Explore one new tool that you can test on your own time.
  • Subscribe to one inspiring education podcast.
  • Attend one virtual session or webinar. Try to find ones that will allow you to watch replays.
  • Write down one big idea you want to try in August.

Sometimes it’s that one thing that makes all the difference come fall.

A smiling woman relaxes in a teal armchair, holding a book in one hand and an iced coffee in the other, with a laptop and sunglasses on the desk beside her.
Image by Author

Summer Friendly Digital Tools to Explore

Summer is the perfect time to explore some user-friendly digital tools. These tools are perfect for light exploration:

  • Book Creator – Try making a short summer reflection journal.
  • Canva – Create a slide deck for back-to-school.
  • Edpuzzle – Test creating short video lessons with questions to flip your classroom in the fall.
  • Loom – Practice recording quick video intros or welcome messages for next school year.
  • Wakelet – Curate summer learning ideas or articles.

Each of these tools has a low entry point and high engagement payoff.

Get Inspired by Playful Planning

This summer, inspiration doesn’t have to look like work. There isn’t any pressure. It’s about planting seeds for next year. Consider:

  • Creating a Bitmoji classroom just for fun or for real use.
  • Hosting a “tech playdate” with teacher friends. Include coffee and/or snacks.
  • Making a vision board using Canva for your classroom goals.
  • Trying AI tools like MagicSchool.ai or Brisk for time-saving lesson planning ideas.
A cheerful illustration split into two panels: the left shows a cartoon teacher in a Bitmoji-style classroom holding a tablet and having fun, and the right displays a colorful vision board with motivational images and phrases like "Stay Positive" and "GOALS."
Image by Author

Relax and Plan

You don’t have to choose between relaxing and planning. With a little intention, you can do both. Have a summer of joy, relaxation, and just enough prep to make you excited about back-to-school season.

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An image of hands typing on a laptop. An overlay of the associated blog post's title reads, "Learning Forward with AI."
AI/VR

Learning Forward: Equip Your Admin Assistants with GenAI

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

One of my favorite audiences as a technology director was administrative assistants. All of them had a single-minded focus to be more efficient, effective, and use technology to get it done. One in particular, whom I’ll call “Alecia,” focused on digital scans of all paperwork coming in and out of the office. Since the department director found herself on the road all the time, accessing records remotely in digital format made everyone’s job easier. Secure from prying eyes, the documents Alecia scanned testified to her technology aptitude. As Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) finds its way into school and district offices, administrative assistants are on the front line of learning what works. This blog entry suggests some use case scenarios and training ideas to keep admin assistants learning forward.

Understanding GenAI’s Role in Administrative Work

“The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways,” says Robert Greene.

The first step is demystifying GenAI with a basics course or workshop. Some topics to cover in an AI basics class include:

  • An overview of GenAI
  • Ethics and dangers of AI use
  • How it learns
  • Potential applications in an administrative context

It’s crucial to discuss how AI is shaping the role of the administrative assistant. You will need to address both the opportunities and the concerns. For example, opportunities may include enhanced efficiency, focus on higher-level tasks. Concerns would include the impact on job roles and responsibilities, such as safeguarding privacy of confidential documents.

Picture of a magnifying glass, which is compared in the text to tools like GenAI.

Frame AI not as a replacement, but as a powerful assistant. Some refer to AI as a thought partner, but you might also think of it as a “cognitive amplifier.” That is, AI is a tool like a mental magnifying lens that makes your thoughts bigger and clearer. But it does so at your direction, under your control.

Automating Repetitive Tasks

Pit GenAI’s strengths against routine, time-consuming tasks. Training should provide concrete examples. Some possible examples include:

  • Email Management: Drafting replies, summarizing long threads, prioritizing emails. Google Gemini Advanced offers some features for this, as does Microsoft CoPilot. In Gemini, I am able to select a collection of emails or a label for summarization. This might involve creating a high-level briefing document.
  • Document Creation: Generating first drafts of meeting minutes, creating forms based on descriptions, formatting reports. I’ve audio-recorded many a meeting, asked AI to summarize it and include actual quotes using tools like Whisper Desktop, a free AI-powered audio/video transcription tool. Whisper runs on your computer, so the meeting audio/video and transcription never leave the protection of local devices.
  • Scheduling: Finding optimal meeting times based on multiple calendars. Tools like Clockwise, Motion, Reclaim.ai, Calendly, Lindy, and many others rely on AI-powered scheduling.
  • Data Entry & Filing: Extracting information from documents and organizing digital files. Snap a picture or do a digital scan of documents, meeting paperwork, and AI can take that PDF and summarize it. Other AI tools make it easier to organize files. I would investigate a solution that works best in your organizational environment then implement as needed after training.

Showcasing specific use cases with the designated paid AI tool (like Google Gemini or ChatGPT) is key. Show how to set up custom instructions (like Google’s Gemini Gems or ChatGPT Projects) to tailor the AI’s output for recurring tasks. This can be done easily to standardize output from a variety of inputs. Think taking rough handwritten notes then having AI format them in an easy to process format in a consistent way.

Choosing the Right Tools Safely

There are many AI tools available now, often billed as “free.” Using unvetted free tools or browser extensions can pose significant privacy risks. This is even more true when handling sensitive school or district information.

  • Emphasize the “Why.” Point out free AI tools often use user data to train their models. This can lead to unintentional data breaches or violations of privacy regulations (like FERPA).
  • Focus on Approved Tools. Guide staff to use only the paid, approved AI chatbots provided by the school or district.
  • Model Privacy-Preserving Options. Discuss features like ChatGPT’s Temporary Chats or similar privacy-preserving options within your chosen platform. These ensure conversations aren’t saved or used for training.

Take the time to model correct behavior in the use of Gen AI tools. It can save a lawsuit and job terminations down the road.

Setting Clear Guardrails A Stoplight Approach

Without clear policies, staff may unknowingly take risks. Implement a simple, visual guide for AI usage. You could use a “stoplight” approach:

  • Red (Not Allowed): Tasks involving confidential student or staff data, using unapproved free AI tools, inputting sensitive information.
  • Yellow (Allowed with Conditions): Using approved AI for brainstorming or drafting non-sensitive communications, summarizing public information (requires review and fact-checking).
  • Green (Allowed): Using approved AI for general productivity tasks like grammar checks on non-sensitive documents, generating creative ideas for presentations, learning new software features.

Here is a generic stoplight approach you can adapt for your own work. Add or remove use scenarios that you prefer.

AI Platforms allowed: [enter your AI platforms here]
CategoryUse Scenarios
🔴 Red
(Do Not Input)		– Inputting specific student grades, disciplinary records, medical information, or IEP details.
– Uploading staff performance evaluations or confidential HR documents.
– Pasting entire sensitive emails containing PII for summarization.
– Using any unapproved AI tools or websites, especially free ones, with any school/district data.
🟡 Yellow
(Anonymize & Review)		– Drafting a template for a parent communication (remove all specific names/details before prompting, review carefully before sending).
– Summarizing anonymized meeting notes (ensure no confidential discussions remain).
– Asking for analysis of generalized, non-identifiable survey feedback (e.g., “Summarize themes from feedback about cafeteria food,” not specific student comments).
– Brainstorming solutions to a general problem (e.g., “Suggest ways to improve hallway traffic flow”).
🟢 Green
(Okay to Input)		– Drafting announcements for a school newsletter or website (using publicly available information).
– Brainstorming ideas for a school event or assembly.
– Asking for grammar/style suggestions on non-sensitive documents (like flyers or public notices).
– Generating practice questions based on public curriculum standards.
– Asking for explanations of software features or functions.
– Learning about general topics or getting definitions.

Keep it simple. The goal is to use AI to make work more efficient, not more time-intensive.

A Practical GenAI Workflow

While watching my colleagues learn to implement GenAI in their work, it was evident that they were following a process. Invite admin assistants to take ownership of their own processes. Here’s an example process for streamlining your AI workflow:

  1. Recognize the Task: Find a repetitive or time-consuming administrative task.
  2. Consult the Guardrails: Refer to the “Stoplight Guide.” Is this a Red, Yellow, or Green task?
  3. Choose the Tool: Select the approved AI tool.
  4. Act as Thinking Partner: Craft a clear prompt, providing context and desired format. Iterate with the AI.
  5. Format & Refine: Review the AI’s output in a critical way. Edit for accuracy, tone, and specific needs. Format as required (e.g., CSV, headings/bold, markdown).

You might want to share a flowchart like this one:

A graphic that describes "Streamlining Your AI Workflow" and includes steps to utilize GenAI in administrative tasks.

The Future is Collaborative

Training administrative professionals in AI is an investment in efficiency and future-readiness. By providing clear guidance, focusing on safe practices with approved tools, and showcasing practical applications, you empower your team to confidently integrate AI as a valuable partner in their crucial work. For tasks requiring visualization or diagramming (Green tasks), explore tools like Napkin.AI as potential additions to their toolkit.

Need further assistance or tailored professional development on AI for your staff? Reach out for more resources and support. TCEA offers webinars and professional learning on the use of responsible AI use.

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Colorful circular infographic titled "AI Tools to Support English-Language Learners." The circle is divided into five segments, each listing an AI tool and its use: "Generate Teaching Resources for ELLs with Twee," "Voice-Enabled Reading Practice with Google Read Along," "Simplify Complex Texts with Rewordify," "Conversation Practice and Writing Support with ChatGPT," and "Support Writing and Brainstorming with Canva’s Magic Write."
Artificial IntelligenceESL/ELL

AI Tools to Support English-Language Learners

by Diana Benner
written by Diana Benner

There are many AI tools that can help teachers support English-Language Learners (ELLs). ELLs sometimes need extra support to access content, build vocabulary, and gain confidence in their language skills. That’s where AI can make a big difference.

Today’s AI tools can do far more than just translate text. They can personalize instruction, simplify reading passages, and offer real-time speech feedback. They even give students more ways to express themselves, especially when they’re still developing English fluency. Best of all, many of these tools are free, easy to use, and built with teachers in mind.

Below are some AI-powered tools that can help you support ELL students in your K–12 classroom.

Voice-Enabled Reading Practice with Google Read Along

Google Read Along is a reading app that helps younger students improve reading fluency by listening as they read aloud. If they struggle with a word, it offers support with pronunciation and feedback.

In the classroom, you could use the app for centers or independent reading time. In addition, you could pair students with headphones and have them practice fluency.  Lastly, you could assign specific stories based on reading level and then monitor their progress over time.

To access Read Along, you can either use the Android app or the web version. For the Android app, download it from the Google Play Store. To use the web version, go to readalong.google.com. For more information, check out this blog post, Come Read with Me: Google’s Read Along App or read the Read Along Handbook for Educators.

Story thumbnails from Google Read Along app including titles like “Tall and Short,” “Counting Animals,” and “Rain, Rain” under the Math & Science category.
Screenshot by Author

Simplify Complex Texts with Rewordify

Rewordify rewords complex vocabulary and sentence structures to make reading easier. It also highlights academic vocabulary and provides definitions. This is great for scaffolding content and helping ELLs access grade-level material.

In the classroom, you can paste passages from science or history texts to create leveled reading versions for ELLs. You could also use rewordify to allow students to read a simplified version before tackling the original. In addition, you could create different learning activities such as a word bank quiz, matching sheet, cloze activities, and more.

To access Rewordify, go to rewordify.com. Also, Rewordify is a feature in Read&Write for Google Chrome.

Options for printable activities in Rewordify, including reworded text, vocabulary lists, matching sheets, quizzes, and cloze activities.
Screenshot by Author

Conversation Practice and Writing Support with ChatGPT

Chatbots like ChatGPT can act like a conversation partner with its voice mode capabilities. Students can type questions, practice dialogue, get grammar corrections, or brainstorm writing ideas. Students can get language practice and writing help in a low-pressure environment and on their own terms.

In the classroom, you could have students conduct a mock interview with the AI to practice question formation. You could also use it to help students write outlines or summaries. In addition, you could have students ask the chatbot to “correct my grammar” or “explain this word.” It would be great to set it up as a station in your classroom. Don’t forget to make note of ChatGPT’s age requirements.

To access ChatGPT, go to chatgpt.com. In addition to ChatGPT, there are also other chatbots such as Google Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity AI.

ChatGPT voice mode features listed, including natural conversations, multiple voices, personalized responses, and control over audio recordings.
Screenshot by Author

Support Writing and Brainstorming with Canva’s Magic Write

ELL students often struggle with getting started on writing tasks. Canva’s Magic Write can help generate sentence starters, outlines, or vocabulary lists based on a prompt. It’s like giving them a boost without giving away the whole answer.

In the classroom, you could use it as a prewriting activity or for brainstorming during  writer’s workshop. You could also use it to generate sentences for paragraph building or summaries for longer texts. Furthermore, you could have students compare AI-written sentences to their own and edit for improvement.

You can access Canva’s Magic Write at canva.com/magic-write/. It’s embedded into Canva Docs.

Screenshot of Canva Magic Write interface showing writing task prompt and options for generating content like blog posts, proposals, and idea brainstorming.
Screenshot by Author

Generate Teaching Resources for ELLs with Twee

Twee is designed for language teachers. It can instantly generate warm-up questions, vocabulary lists, gap-fill exercises, and short dialogues based on topics you provide. Furthermore, Twee contains lesson plans for English teachers packed with creative ESL activities and practical English lesson ideas.

In the classroom, you could use it to create differentiated bell ringers or exit tickets. You could also generate vocabulary-focused games for review. In addition, you could print out conversation scripts for speaking practice.

To access Twee, go to twee.com.

Announcement of the new Twee ESL Library highlighting features like CEFR-aligned lessons, editable resources, and AI-powered content for English teachers.
Screenshot by Author

Whether you’re planning centers, small group work, or independent study, these tools will help your students thrive.  When it comes to supporting English language learners, the right tool can open up a world of confidence, curiosity, and success. To learn of additional ways you can support ELL students, be sure to check out other ELL related TCEA TechNotes blog posts.

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AI/VROnline Tools and Apps

Padlet’s AI Tools Supercharge Digital Collaboration

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Creating engaging digital spaces where students can work well together can be hard. Recently, I was impressed to discover Padlet’s AI Tools, new features designed to assist teachers. And, there’s an exciting new addition introduced at the end, the Padlet Teaching Assistant (TA). Let’s jump in.

What Are Padlet’s AI Features & How Do They Work?

Padlet has introduced several AI-powered capabilities. These are designed to make its collaborative platform even better. One feature is “Magic Padlet.” Given a brief description of what you need, it relies on generative AI to create an entire board. If you aren’t sure what you need, you can use one of several “AI Recipes.” These can make it easier to make content for different, specific, and educational purposes.

I recently used the AI Recipes feature to create a jigsaw activity for a mock literature class. I simply selected “Class Activity Creator,” entered a subject (American Literature) and topic (The Great Gatsby themes), and specified the desired grade level (see image below).

Within seconds, Padlet’s AI generated a complete board structure with logical organization, discussion prompts, sample starter posts, and suggested resources.


(View it online)

What impressed me most was how customizable everything remained. After the AI generated the initial board, I could easily modify any element to better suit specific class needs.

Practical Applications

The AI capabilities in Padlet extend beyond basic board creation:

  • Lesson planning with the AI Lesson Plan generator that creates learning objectives, materials lists, and assessments
  • Creating historical timelines or geographical explorations with AI-powered map features
  • Generating reading lists on specific topics with accompanying discussion questions
  • Using the “I can’t draw” feature to help students create visuals for projects
  • Utilizing AI-generated text-to-speech in over 40 languages
  • Automatically generating captions for uploaded videos

Even more helpful? The features to schedule automations, like having a board automatically freeze or unfreeze at specific times (see Automations under the three dots in the sidebar). This makes it perfect for timed activities or assignments with deadlines. What’s more, you can have Padlet assign grades in the gradebook, too.

My Experience Using Padlet’s AI Tools

One interesting use is a Jigsaw Learning Board. You can see one quick board for capturing expert findings and reflections below.

I’ve also used Magic Padlet to quickly create lesson plan boards. You can ask the AI built into Padlet for assistance, providing minimal information:

This makes it easier than starting from scratch and you will see several ideas for your lesson. I may or may not use all of these ideas but they are a way to “prime the pump:”

Introducing Padlet Teaching Assistant (TA)

You can get a look at the Padlet TA online (still in beta at the time this blog entry was written). Not only does Padlet TA enable you to connect to Google Drive, but use a variety of sources to create boards. Those sources could include:

  • YouTube video
  • Links
  • Google Drive
  • Text you paste in

The Padlet TA is pretty generic at the moment, but you can see the potential possible:

Some of my favorite tools in Padlet TA include:

  • AI Image Generator – You will love being able to quickly access Padlet’s image generator.
  • Name Picker – Need to pick a student name for an activity? This is sure to be a fun alternative.
  • Smart Groups – Create groups quickly from your class roster.
  • Short Link – Get a Teach.link/yourTitleHere for those long links
  • QR Code generator – Make a QR code

The other tools, such as lesson plan, presentation, multiple choice quiz, and rubric are also worth exploring. Padlet’s done a great job making these tools so easily accessible via the PadletTA page. Get a quick tour via the animated GIF at the end of this blog entry.

Looking Ahead

Padlet continues to develop its AI capabilities. I’ve found Padlet’s AI tools to be game-changers for my work with learners. The learning curve is low, and the benefits are substantial.

Have you tried any of Padlet’s AI features yet? What has been your experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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AI/VREducational TrendsPlanning and PreparationTechnical Support

The AI in Education Journey: You’re Not Alone

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

Back in April of 1993, educators were buzzing about the newest thing in technology: the World Wide Web. Parents and community members were worried about it exposing students to things they didn’t normally have access to, administrators were worried about it distracting students, and teachers were confused about how or even if to integrate it into their classes. 

Fast forward to today and the same thing is happening with artificial intelligence. Some experts are claiming that it can revitalize the school system and learning and others are predicting it will be the end of the world. So, what’s an educator to do?

The AI in Education Journey

TCEA was one of the few organizations that was prepared and ready 32 years ago to help teachers and administrators implement the use of the web into learning, and we are just as prepared today to help with AI. For that reason, our professional development staff members have created the AI in Education Journey for school districts and campuses to use. It’s called a journey because the effective implementation of any new tool is not a one-stop process; it’s a slow and carefully planned expedition that moves through different stages based on the needs of the individual.

TCEA’s AI in Education Journey is an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our team of educational experts as you harness the power of AI in your school or district. From a personalized pre-assessment to scalable growth strategies, we have the tools and know-how to support you every step of the way. 

Stages in the AI Journey

There are five different stages in successfully implementing AI:

  • Stage 1: Discover AI’s True Potential for Teaching, Learning, and Leading
  • Stage 2: Plan for AI Integration 
  • Stage 3: Master AI Basics with Hands-On Professional Learning
  • Stage 4: Activate AI in Education
  • Stage 5: Sustain and Scale AI

The pre-assessment will tell you exactly what stage your organization is at with the implementation of AI. Some schools may need to start at Stage 1 while others may be ready for a later stage. The Journey is designed to fit each group’s specific needs and meet them where they are at.

Numerous resources are included for each stage of the journey, from custom GPTs to personalized online and face-to-face learning, sample policies, tool rubrics, ideas for student AI use including a K-12 curriculum framework, and so much more. TCEA has done the hard work of gathering all of the necessary materials, concepts, discussion points, and samples to help you move forward.

And, the AI Journey is priced to meet the budgetary limits that schools are currently under, ensuring that every district and campus can take advantage of the program without breaking the bank.

Join Us on the AI in Education Journey

Educators will gain hands-on expertise with the best AI tools to personalize learning, streamline workflows, and engage students. Meanwhile, administrators and leaders will develop actionable strategies, ethical policies, and data-driven insights to implement AI initiatives that drive institutional growth and success.

From foundational awareness to long-term scaling, this journey equips your entire team with the skills, resources, and confidence to lead the way in AI-powered education. Let TCEA be your guide to making AI an integral and sustainable part of your learning community!

If you are interested, please complete the short form at the bottom of this page and we will get back to you to discuss the needs you may have. We look forward to traveling with you!

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AI/VRDigital LiteracyEducational ResearchGood Teaching

Learning by Teaching with AI

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

The use of AI tools for student learning is a somewhat controversial topic of discussion today. If students use it to brainstorm or create, are they actually learning? Or are they just copying and pasting the chatbot’s information and passing it off as their own. Dr. Philippa Hardman offers a different approach: inviting students to use AI to learn by teaching.

Research on Learning by Teaching with AI

Empirical evidence shows that the act of teaching others solidifies a student’s knowledge, fosters self-regulatory skills, and provides immediate diagnostic feedback. This is the basis of the powerful instructional strategy the Jigsaw Method. John Hattie found that this strategy has an effect size of 1.20, three times higher than the hinge effect size of 0.4. This makes it one of the most effective ways for students to learn.

The Teaching Others strategy has also been proven to have these benefits:

  • Powerful Active Learning: When students know they will have to teach a concept, their engagement increases. Research (Benware and Deci, 1984) shows the mere expectation of having to teach something leads to deeper processing of material.
  • Self-Regulated Learning: Teaching requires planning, monitoring, and reflecting, which aligns with Zimmerman’s (2002) findings on fostering lifelong learning skills.
  • Immediate Feedback: Students learn more deeply when they receive instant signals about gaps in their own understanding (Okita and Schwartz, 2013).

What is learning by teaching?

Learning by teaching is simply what happens when one student must become knowledgeable about a specific topic to be able to teach another student. Of course, there are some guidelines that must be taught first before students can be successful with this strategy. Below are some detailed, actionable steps for introducing “Teaching Others” in your classroom:

  1. Explain the Rationale
    • What: Communicate that students will master content more effectively by teaching it.
    • Why: Emphasize that teaching reveals gaps in understanding, prompting deeper learning.
    • How: Provide examples (e.g., brief student-to-student explanations, micro-teaching sessions).
  2. Model the Process
    • Demonstrate: Show how you break down a topic into key ideas, check for clarity, and adapt your explanation based on a learner’s feedback.
    • Use Think-Alouds: Verbalize your thought process when planning an explanation—where you begin, how you check if the “learner” is following, and how you handle confusion.
  3. Set Up Structured Activities
    • Peer Teaching: Pair or group students. Assign each person a subtopic and have them teach the others.
    • Jigsaw Method: Divide a larger concept into chunks. Each student becomes an expert in one chunk, then teaches the rest of the group.
    • Feedback Loops: Incorporate time for student-teachers to ask: “What didn’t make sense?” This fosters immediate clarification and deeper insight.
  4. Use Guiding Tools
    • Checklists or Scripts: Provide a structured format students can follow when explaining content (e.g., “Introduction → Key Points → Examples → Questions → Summaries”).
    • Reflection Prompts: After teaching, ask students to reflect: “What questions did you get? What was hardest to explain? What would you clarify next time?”
  5. Assess and Reflect
    • Peer/Self-Assessment: Offer rubrics for both the “teachers” and “learners” to assess clarity, engagement, and understanding.
    • Ongoing Improvement: Encourage students to note where they felt uncertain or where their explanations fell short, then give them a chance to re-teach.

Integrating AI into Learning by Teaching

While some students have learned to use AI to do work for them, this tool can also be effectively used to help them learn content by embracing the idea of the student “teaching” the chatbot. Below are steps to help you embed AI into a teaching-to-learn model:

  1. Set Clear Guidelines
    • Explain the Role of AI: Frame the AI as a “practice student.” Students should teach it step by step, anticipating mistakes.
    • Define Expectations: Students must ask the AI questions, check its understanding, and correct it when it errs. Remind them that the AI might not always respond like a human learner.
  2. Structure AI Teaching Sessions
    • Assess the AI’s “Knowledge”: Have students ask targeted questions to see what AI “already knows.”
    • Plan Explanations: Before each session, have students create a mini-plan of how they will teach the concept (e.g., definitions, examples, practice prompts).
    • Guide and Monitor: Students should carefully observe the AI’s responses for inaccuracies or superficial understanding. Encourage them to probe deeper with follow-up questions.
  3. Encourage Iterative Feedback
    • Correct Misconceptions: If the AI displays incorrect answers, students must identify the error and explain the correct reasoning.
    • Reflect on Gaps: Ask students to note any point where the AI’s response is “too perfect” or changes “persona.” Discuss how these inconsistencies affect the teaching process.
  4. Promote Self-Regulated Learning
    • Plan → Teach → Reflect Cycle: Encourage students to plan an explanation, carry it out with the AI, then reflect on what went well and what needs improvement.
    • Debug and Retry: If the AI’s answer is correct too quickly, challenge students to dig deeper or choose a more complex subtopic. If the AI is incorrect, practice “debugging” the AI’s misconceptions.
  5. Document and Share
    • Track Interactions: Have students keep a log of what they taught the AI and how the AI responded. This helps them see their own progress and recurring misunderstandings.
    • Discuss in Class: As a group, share successful teaching moves and highlight areas where the AI was hard to “teach.” Use these discussions to improve collective teaching strategies.

Tips for Maximizing Impact

  1. Introduce Controlled Complexity
    • Start Simple: Use AI for clear-cut, lower-level tasks or concepts.
    • Scale Up: As students become comfortable, move to more abstract or complex topics that force deeper explanations.
  2. Maintain Realism
    • Acknowledge AI Limitations: AI might not display truly “human” confusion. Remind students that real learners show partial understanding and might need repeated explanations.
    • Supplement with Real Peers: Balance AI-based teaching with real peer-tutoring experiences for richer feedback and authentic misconceptions.
  3. Leverage Reflection for Growth
    • Celebrate “Teachable Moments”: When the AI produces unexpected output, encourage students to refine their own thinking and explanations.
    • Encourage Metacognition: Have students articulate what strategy they used to clarify confusion and how they adjusted for the AI’s strengths or weaknesses.

By weaving these actionable steps into your classroom practice, you can harness the robust research behind Teaching Others and capitalize on new AI possibilities, enabling your students to learn more deeply, think more critically, and grow more confident in their own knowledge.

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Artificial Intelligence

Get Instant Feedback with PollGen

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

Finding out what students or staff are thinking about things can be a very powerful way to enhance learning and engagement. And there are a lot of different tools available to do just that. I recently found a new one that I really like and wanted to share it with you.

What Is PollGen?

PollGen allows you to create polls in seconds with AI, share them instantly, and gather responses in real time. While it has a very ugly interface, the tool itself is excellent. I quickly created a poll on when people think students should begin learning about the effective uses of AI. I entered my question and the site then:

  • Created a description/reason for the poll
  • Listed four options as answers (you can have as few as two answers and as many as you want)

How PollGen Works

I was able to edit everything very easily. Once I had the poll the way I wanted it, then I had choices as to whether it would be a private poll (only accessible via a link I send out) or visible to anyone) and when I wanted the poll to close (the default is one week up to one year). I then clicked Create Poll and got a link to share in a variety of ways (URL, QR code, email, and different social media apps).

Creating a free account allowed me more features, even in the free version. The paid version is “coming soon,” but there’s not much information available about it yet.

You can vote in my poll by clicking here. Those taking the poll have the ability to add a comment, which I found interesting.

Other features available include:

  • Calendar integration (with Google, Apple, and Outlook calendars)
  • Presentation mode in real time
  • Smart scheduling
  • Real-time analytics

I don’t know what the limit is for how many can take part in the poll, as I don’t see any information about that.

What I liked most about PollGen was how fast I was able to have it up and running. My first poll was created and launched within five minutes. Users also found it simple to respond to. I hope that you’ll try it out and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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