The AI Toolbox: Best AI Tools for Schools

Outline

The session will cover the following information. Note: live links to the resources referenced below can be accessed at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sppFUWRThleOFvQA_iAi2V4guOB4dOu3WKPUpKtAuGg/edit

Because of the large number of AI tools available, I typically begin the session with a Google Form that attendees can use to indicate the tool topics they are most interested in. Based on these results I work through as many tools as possible in the time. If this session is a longer lab session, then more tools will be covered.

The categories of tools we may explore include:
AI Chatbots
Prompt Tools
Student Custom Chatbots
Assessment Tools
Grading Tools
Tutoring Tools
Reflection Tools
Differentiation Tools
Presentation Tools
Multi Tools
More Tools
Image Tools
Media Tools

In each case we will explore one or two representative tools from a topic area with practical hands-on use and examples. The attendees will be encouraged to test out the tools themselves, and when possible I will have preset activities that the attendees can participate in.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to:
Evaluate AI tools to determine which ones will best meet their needs and the needs of their students.
Understand how AI chatbots and prompt tools can be used to generate a wide range of educational content.
Understand how custom chatbots can be used with students for school-safe, monitored experiences that provide students with personalized learning opportunities.
Understand how AI assessment and grading tools can help generate assessment items, as well as provide suggested grades and detailed personalized feedback for student work.
Understand how AI tutoring tools can meet students where they are at, help them with challenging content, and assist them in pursuing their learning interests.
Understand how AI reflection tools can allow students to reflect on their learning, and provide detailed insights to the student and teacher.
Understand how AI differentiation tools can help educators adjust and supplement content so that it is tailored to students' specific needs.
Understand how AI tools can assist with the generation of media including images, audio, and music which can be used for teaching and learning.

Supporting research

Artificial intelligence in education is a new and rapidly growing field so there will be much research to come on this topic. However many of the AI resources I will be demonstrating in this session are backed by research. John Hattie's "Visible Learning" studies help identify the top positive influences on student achievement as detailed at https://www.visiblelearningmetax.com/Influences
Some of the top positive influences that can be implemented and extended with AI include:
Feedback
Summarization
Help seeking
Outlining and summarizing
Self-directed learning
Technology with learning needs students
Intelligent tutoring systems
Coding
Questioning
Differentiation
Technology in writing

Additionally I have learned from and built upon the excellent writing of my educational colleagues including:
Brave New Words - Salman Khan
Co-Intelligence - Ethan Mollick
AI for Educators - Matt Miller
The AI Classroom - Dan Fitzpatrick
The AI Infused Classroom - Holly Clark