The landscape of educational technology has transformed dramatically in the last year, exploding with the rise of AI tools that offer unprecedented opportunities for enhancing learning experiences. Districts are busy formulating AI policies, integrating digital literacy pedagogies and hosting schoolwide conversations redefining what learning and assessment looks like with AI-powered tools in the hands of teachers and students. This revolution is fueled by the increased curiosity and student engagement that AI-powered tools produce in the learning process.
As schools increasingly begin to integrate these digital tools, understanding AI tools for student use is crucial. AI-powered tools facilitate personalized learning, productivity and efficiency, content creation, knowledge building, content review, tutoring, collaboration, communication and developing technology skills in an equitable fashion for the future.
AI is more than just prompt engineering; it is a catalyst for sparking creative formats for synthesizing information. Students can deepen their learning through various AI-enabled activities including having conversations with historical figures, working with an online debate partner (chatbot) to build an argument or creating projects in 3D immersive environments to engage classes with AI tools to improve learning while empowering students’ choice and voice. The possibilities are endless, and the list of emerging AI tools is too.
AI-powered tools offer instant feedback and real-time individualized tutoring support and enrich understanding through careful Socratic-style interactions. The edtech market is full of options with many companies offering many new AI tools. However, selecting the right AI-powered tool for your district or school requires careful consideration. Here are five key factors to guide superintendents, administrators, principals and teachers in making informed decisions:
1. AI tools align with educational goals
Before diving into the myriad options available, it’s fundamental to define your district’s educational objectives. What specific outcomes are you aiming to achieve with AI? How can they be measured and does the tool offer the data analytics needed to make future decisions and improve student learning? Whether it’s personalized learning, improved student engagement or enhanced administrative efficiency, the AI tool you choose should directly support these objectives. By matching the tool’s capabilities with your strategic vision, you ensure the investment delivers meaningful and measurable benefits.
Carl Hooker, author of Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom, reflects on staying focused in your selection of tools aligned to overall educational goals, “What we are experiencing with AI right now is very much a repeat of what happened when the app store was launched. ‘There’s an app for that’ became a common phrase. Now that there is ‘an AI for that’ we have to think about the purpose of the tool and how ‘evergreen’ it might be. Don’t just purchase a single AI tool because it helps with one subject, find one that can help in all areas of learning.”
2. Ease of integration and use
Collaboration between the curriculum and IT departments is crucial. The success of any technological implementation depends on how seamlessly it can be integrated into the existing infrastructure and is compatible with various devices and platforms. Choose AI tools that offer intuitive interfaces from reputable providers that offer ongoing support, updates and professional development resources to ensure effective implementation and sustained use.
Tools that can integrate with your current systems and workflows will reduce disruptions and maximize the benefits of AI from the outset. Select AI tools that are easy to use for educators and learners, minimizing the learning curve and maximizing engagement. This approach reduces disruptions and accelerates the adoption process, allowing your district to benefit from AI-enhanced learning right away.
3. Focus on critical thinking and creativity
AI should enhance rather than replace human interactions and enable students to concentrate on critical thinking and creativity by automating routine tasks. Dan Fitzpatrick’s principle of outsourcing the “doing”—but not the “thinking”—to artificial intelligence, highlights the importance of using AI to handle administrative or repetitive tasks. This allows students and educators to focus on deeper learning and problem-solving activities that foster essential skills for future success.
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AI should empower students to focus on critical thinking and creative problem-solving by taking over routine tasks. Fitzpatrick emphasizes a key principle from his book, The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education: “Outsource your doing, not your thinking.”
“One of the most powerful sessions I lead involves teachers and students creating bespoke AI assistants. Students often make study companions, career mentors and even sleep coaches,” he notes.
This allows students to connect the power of AI to handle tasks and support their goals while focusing on the critical thinking and creative problem-solving that will propel them forward in their educational journey and beyond. Tools that automate administrative tasks or provide intelligent tutoring can free up valuable time for students and teachers to engage in deeper learning activities.
4. Accessibility, equity, transparency and student empowerment
Equity, transparency, and student empowerment must be prioritized when integrating AI into the classroom. Ken Shelton, author of The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered The Chat, advises: “When choosing AI tools for the classroom, educators must prioritize equity, transparency, and student empowerment. They should seek out AI systems/platforms designed with diverse learner needs in mind, offering clear explanations of their design and decision-making processes, and engaging students as active creators and critical thinkers, not just passive consumers of technology.”
Additionally, in The AI Infused Classroom by Holly Clark, she provides the following recommendations for selecting the right AI tools for learner empowerment: “Look for AI tools that allow for customization and personalization to cater to individual learners’ needs, interests, and learning styles.” By choosing AI tools that address diverse learning needs and multilingual access and promote active participation, you create an inclusive, transparent and engaging learning environment.
5. Data privacy and security
In an era where data breaches and privacy concerns are rampant, it’s essential to prioritize the security of student and staff data. When selecting an AI tool, ensure that it complies with local, state and federal regulations regarding data privacy.
Look for tools that offer robust security measures, such as encryption and regular security audits. Protecting sensitive information safeguards your district and builds trust among students, parents and educators. Protecting students is mission-critical.
Strategic approach
Selecting the right AI-powered tool for your district involves aligning it with educational goals, ensuring ease of integration, enhancing human interactions, focusing on critical thinking and creativity and prioritizing equity, transparency and student empowerment. By carefully considering these factors, district administrators and superintendents can leverage AI to create enriched, effective and equitable learning environments.
As districts begin to explore what tools are available with these criteria in mind, they can select those that align to their goals and student needs while providing equity, security and privacy for all learners. Now is the time to embrace AI as a powerful ally in advancing education while maintaining a focus on the human elements that are fundamental to learning and growth.
Free FETC webinar
Explore 10 AI-powered tools in a free FETC webinar on Thursday, June 20th at 2 pm ET. This introduction to AI-powered edtech tools highlights their features and benefits so administrators and teachers can grow their skills and begin implementing new technologies with students as they plan for lessons next fall. Watch this fast-paced round of 10 demos and choose an AI tool to try right away! This webinar will enable participants to harness the momentum and revolutionize student learning with AI-powered tools.
Hear about the following AI enhanced products: K12Brix.ai, Khanmigo, Magic School, MegaMinds, Meritus AI, Padlet, Perplexity, PowerBuddy, Quizizz, and Snorkl. Even if you aren’t able to attend the live event, feel free to register and you will receive access to the presentation and the event recording. All registrants will receive a link to the recording and a professional development CEU certificate post event.
Register here to learn more about edtech professional development offerings. FETC is proud to produce events with our partners that propel education forward to continuously improve the future of teaching and learning!
