The 2025-2026 academic year is now in full swing. As the initial excitement of the new school year fades, students and educators alike are settling into the routine and the real work of learning is getting underway. During this time, it is important for educators to review their teaching materials and tools. Technology and teaching tools are continuously evolving, and it’s crucial for educators to stay updated with the latest resources to stimulate curiosity, creativity and critical thinking among students. This includes the latest AI programs that are being integrated into the classroom.
Here, we take a look at five AI technology tools that are essential for back-to-school success.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT has quickly become a comprehensive tool for generating various types of content. While there are concerns about its potential misuse in facilitating student cheating, this AI tool can also serve as a useful assistant for educators. It can help in creating welcome letters, student-friendly syllabi, and other general classroom documents. When used responsibly, ChatGPT can assist teachers by saving them the labor-intensive task of planning and delivering lessons.
Classroom Screen
ClassroomScreen is a modernized version of a blackboard. This tool allows teachers to project various types of information onto the screen during classroom activities. Teachers can conduct polls, share inspirational quotes, outline the day’s schedule, and even monitor noise level without having to open a single tab. It’s a simple, versatile tool for classroom management.
SchoolAI
SchoolAI is a resource generator that enables safe, teacher-led interactions between students and AI. As AI is becoming more widely used, it is important to teach students how to use it safely, effectively, and responsibly. SchoolAI aids in this task by fostering students’ curiosity and critical thinking without doing the work for them. The best part is that teachers remain in control throughout, providing an extra layer of instruction and safety.
Snorkl
Snorkl is an AI feedback tool that provides students with immediate feedback on their responses. This program enables students to record their thought process on a digital whiteboard using a variety of customizable tools. With Snorkl, a teacher can pose a question with an image attached and have students respond with audio, visual tools like highlighting, and more. It adds a creative element to the lesson while making it memorable, meaningful, and interactive.
Suno
Suno is unique in that it specializes in creative song generation. Teachers can input their lesson into Suno, which then creates an educational song in the style of a chosen artist. It even allows customization of song lyrics to ensure the song remains relevant to the lesson. Suno is an innovative tool that can make learning more exciting for students.
The world of education is constantly evolving, with today’s technology becoming obsolete within a few years. However, the core mission of educators remains the same: to equip students with the skills, determination, and growth mindset they need to succeed in a future that is uncertain. By integrating effective tools into the classroom, we can steer them towards a better future, a future where critical thinking and inquiry continue to flourish both inside and outside the classroom.
About the Author
Jamie MacPherson is a learning specialist at the Van Andel Institute for Education. This Michigan-based educational nonprofit is dedicated to creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive. Jamie’s expertise lies in leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience.
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