How the Best Teachers Are Using AI: Real Examples

Teachers everywhere are asking, “What tasks can I automate?” and “What’s the coolest thing other teachers have done with ChatGPT, or any AI tool, for that matter?” With a mix of curiosity and caution, many are eager to explore AI for teachers.

I’ve done quite a lot of digging—talking to real teachers and scouring online communities for days—to bring you the best real-life examples of how AI for teachers is making a difference both inside and outside the classroom, and in their lives overall. Some of these examples may seem repetitive, but they highlight the creative ways teachers are utilizing AI and the unique angles worth mentioning.

Get ready to be inspired!

1. Lesson Planning

Teachers are increasingly turning to AI for lesson planning, and the results are impressive. The generated lesson plans often align perfectly with established educational standards and methods, proving that AI can keep pace with diverse teaching requirements.

2. Creative Writing and Examples

AI is making strides in creative writing too. One teacher had AI compose a sonnet, which was used in class alongside the students’ own creations. Another teacher had AI script out a readers theater piece about a quirky all-female K-pop group, which added a fun twist to their public speaking event

Teachers are using AI to create personalized content for students. A teacher had ChatGPT write a poem for each student at the end of the year - you can imagine - they absolutely loved it.

3. Differentiated Instruction

AI is revolutionizing how teachers break down tough concepts. One teacher had AI explain the Ontological Argument for the existence of God in the style of a Friends script, as a 5-year-old, and as a TikTok influencer. The creativity is endless!

4. Content Generation for Teaching Materials

Teachers are generating all sorts of educational content, even for subjects like Graphic Design. A teacher used AI to create seven pages of fashion magazine content. This allowed students to focus solely on the design and layout in Adobe InDesign, not on the content.

5. Assessment and Grading

AI is also transforming assessment and grading. One teacher used AI to develop scoring criteria for a Costume Design Fashion Show, while another crafted rubrics to streamline grading. While you can’t assess everything with AI yet, it significantly speeds up many tasks.

6. Exam and Quiz Preparation

Using tools like Monsha, you can create a variety of tests, quizzes, and question types, including multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended prompts. It’s cool how AI can generate solid questions and smart distractors, cutting down on prep time.

7. Translation Services

AI steps up where traditional tools step back. You can translate texts into less commonly supported languages like Marshallese. This is a game changer for teachers working with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

8. Classroom Management

AI isn’t just for teaching preparation; it’s helping in the classroom too. One teacher set up AI-generated timed cardboard construction challenges for middle schoolers, which became a hit for keeping the class engaged and well-behaved.

9. Visual Learning Aids

AI tools can create images that depict literary characters, like showing the evolution of a character from “Fahrenheit 451.” This helps students grasp character development in a more engaging way.

10. Summarizing Texts

Teachers use AI to help students summarize chapters of novels that were not read in class. This method was used to complement close readings of selected chapters.

11. Language Learning and Translation

A teacher used AI to generate a 5-question English quiz for Japanese learners at the CEFR B2 level. Another example includes using AI for translating texts into less common languages like Marshallese - although AI models have a long way to go in perfecting these translations.

12. Curriculum Development

AI is quite capable of creating comprehensive and structured educational programs. Teachers are rewriting and developing the entire curricula. One educator mentioned using AI to rebuild a 4-year curriculum for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

13. Student Feedback and Corrections

Teachers feed creative writing assignments into ChatGPT and ask it to revise them, then have students compare AI-generated revisions with their original work.

One teacher had ChatGPT analyze student-written themes from different chapters of a book, and then provided corrections and suggestions based on AI feedback. This approach saved hours and days for many teachers.

14. Professional Development

Well when you can ask AI anything and it gives an answer - you can use it to your personal learning and development as well! A teacher shared that their colleague, pursuing an MEd online, use AI daily for various tasks related to continuous learning and professional growth.

One teacher shared that even their 9-year-old child could use AI to read jokes and find kid-friendly recipes.

15. Classroom Discussion on AI vs. Human Work

A teacher engaged students in reading different materials and discussing the differences between AI-generated and human-created content. I think this is really cool — helps with critical analytical things, and an understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.

16. Interactive Learning Tools

One teacher used various AI apps to create a quiz and introductory lesson for IELTS/Advanced English learners. She generated a Dictogloss (a type of dictation activity) and other interactive components, which in her experience made the lesson more engaging and dynamic.

17. Report Writing Assistance

Teachers use AI in writing school reports and report cards more efficiently, in a fraction of the time it usually takes. It is still detailed and personalized, yet ends up significantly reducing their workload.

18. Automating Self-Assessments

One educator created an online self-assessment questionnaire with AI, uploaded it into their LMS, which automatically calculates scores and provides instant feedback. It could even handle the special cases where some scores need to be reversed before final calculation.

19. Interactive Learning Activities

A teacher mentioned using ChatGPT to generate Mad Libs related to their study topics. You can get really creative here - no limits.

20. YouTube Video Comprehension

Many teachers use AI to enhance video-based learning. They get transcripts of YouTube videos, then use ChatGPT to generate reading comprehension questions based on the video content. This approach helps students better understand and retain information from videos.

21. Creating Online Learning Resources

Teachers use AI to convert physical learning materials into digital formats. They also repurpose from one format into many others. For example, a teacher turned a PD material into a blog post using ChatGPT to share ideas for using AI in elementary education.

22. Interactive Learning Projects

AI is helping teachers design engaging and fun learning activities. One teacher used AI to create a list of timed cardboard construction challenges for middle school students. Another generated a script for an “Epic Rap Battles of History” featuring Shakespeare versus ChatGPT – how fun does that sound?

AI is also providing a variety of project options and ideas, giving students more choices and a better chance to dive deep into their topics of interest. Teachers are using AI to create escape rooms and other interactive activities that keep students engaged.

Many teachers are using AI to generate puzzles and problem-solving tasks that challenge students to think critically and creatively.

23. Efficiency and Time & Task Management

Teachers are finding AI useful for managing and completing a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently. One teacher mentioned how AI can handle many tasks with a high success rate, even if occasional errors need to be corrected.

One teacher mentioned using an AI scheduler to block out teaching time and automatically schedule tasks, helping to manage a constantly evolving to-do list.

AI is automating routine administrative tasks for many teachers, such as scheduling meetings and organizing tasks. This allows teachers to focus more on instruction and less on administrative duties, improving overall efficiency and productivity.

Teachers are creating tasks and worksheets on the fly, especially during busy periods or unexpected disruptions like loadshedding. It’s a real lifesaver.

24. Teaching IB Programs

One teacher highlighted the efficiency of using AI for International Baccalaureate (IB) -related tasks, which previously were time-consuming and challenging.

25. Recipe Generation

AI for teachers isn’t just for the classroom! One teacher shared that she used ChatGPT to whip up a cooking recipe that turned out to be even better than her usual stir fry. 🍲

26. Writing Individualized Education Program (IEP) Goals

A teacher shared how AI-generated IEP goals came out with more depth and challenge than their usual goals, saving time and providing better support for students with special needs.

27. Conducting Real-Time Classroom Discussions

AI can support real-time debates and discussions in the classroom, by generating discussion points and arguments.

Many teachers use AI to generate discussion questions and prompts, helping to stimulate thoughtful and engaging conversations among students.

28. No Domain Restrictions!

Teachers and their colleagues are exploring its capabilities across various domains. For instance, a math teacher in Shanghai uses AI for daily lesson planning, while a bass player in a band used AI to create schematics for a low pass filter for his bass rig. There is nothing you can’t try!

29. Providing Real-Time Classroom Support

Teachers use AI to analyze and correct student assignments, offer immediate and constructive feedback.

30. Supporting Homework Assistance

One teacher mentioned using AI to help students understand difficult homework problems, offer explanations and step-by-step solutions that cater to individual learning paces.

31. Developing Custom Study Guides

A teacher used AI to create personalized study guides for their students, focusing on areas where each student needed the most help.

32. Conducting AI-Based Research Projects

More and more teachers are encouraging students to use AI tools for data collection and analysis. This not only helps students develop essential research skills but also familiarizes them with AI technology, prepares them for future academic and professional endeavors.

33. Providing Emotional Support and Counseling

Teachers and admins are employing AI chatbots to provide emotional support and counseling to students. These AI tools offer a safe space for students to discuss their concerns and receive guidance, which is then followed by real interaction and support from teachers.

34. Creating Interactive Language Learning Activities

Language teachers use AI to create dialogues and role-plays, and simulate conversations in different languages.

35. Implementing Flipped Classroom Models

AI supports flipped classroom models by providing resources for students to learn new content at home. Teachers use AI to generate instructional videos and interactive modules that students can access before class, which allows for more hands-on activities and discussions during class time.

36. Enhancing Professional Communication

An inspiring number of teachers, like most other professionals, are drafting emails, newsletters, reports and any write-up using AI. This is one of the most obvious yet most time-saving uses of AI.

37. Facilitating Virtual Field Trips

AI is creating immersive learning experiences by developing virtual tours of historical sites, museums, and natural wonders. This allows students to explore and learn from places they might not otherwise visit.

As you can see — you are only limited by your creativity.

Are there other ways you have used AI? Let us know and we’d love to include it here!