From lesson planning to differentiation, AI tools are changing how we work, teach, and create. These are the ones worth exploring - tools that help with ideas, organization, and saving time (without losing the teacher touch).

• AI for Education – Free 1–2 hr course - introducing AI fundamentals for teachers. Resource Link 

• GenAI Chatbot Prompt Library for Educators – Prompt Library Resource Link 

• TedTalk: Can AI Make Us More Human? – Watch here Resource Link 

• NotebookLM – Upload your own content and generate lessons or summaries from only your sources.

• ChatGPT – Study Mode: adaptive learning through explanations, examples, and questions. Resource Link 

• Gemini – Study Mode: step-by-step AI study guidance.

• MagicSchool.ai – Lesson & resource generator including a student-safe mode. Resource Link 

• Diffit – Differentiate reading passages instantly by grade level and language. Resource Link 

• Curipod – AI lesson builder for interactive polls and discussions. Resource Link 

• SchoolAI – Teacher dashboard with AI chats, lesson builders, and virtual student spaces. Resource Link 

• TeachMateAI – Educator-specific AI tools for lesson plans, rubrics, and parent emails. Resource Link 

• Perplexity Edu – AI search with citations – great for student research. Resource Link 

• Microsoft Copilot – Integrated throughout Microsoft 365, automating lesson planning, parent communication, rubric generation, and personalized learning paths.

• Specialized AI Tools – Such as Snorkl for formative assessments and Brisk for workflow automation.

Keep your planning process smart, structured, and flexible. These tools make it easier to design lessons, track progress, and collaborate — so you can spend less time managing and more time teaching.

• Common Curriculum (CC) – Lesson planning tool with a timeline feature (Pro version recommended). Resource Link

• Notion – All-in-one workspace for planning, notes, and databases. Resource Link 

• Google Classroom – Official Classroom platform

• Trello – Project boards for curriculum mapping and task tracking. Resource Link 

• Schoology – LMS option for curriculum management.

• Gemini / ChatGPT – for co-planning and brainstorming lesson design.

• SkillStruck – Computer science curriculum platform offering interactive coding, digital citizenship, and assessment tools. Resource Link 

• Deck.Toys – Create interactive, game-like lesson pathways with activities and locks for HyperDoc-style learning. Resource Link 

• Common Sense Education – Digital citizenship and media literacy curriculum with lesson plans and resources for online safety and critical thinking. Resource Link 

Who says learning can’t be fun? These platforms turn quizzes, reviews, and lessons into games that keep students engaged while giving you instant feedback and data.

• Kahoot! – Quiz games for live, fun assessments. Resource Link 

• Quizizz – Gamified quizzes with real-time feedback. Resource Link 

• Quizlet – Flashcards & study sets for personalized learning. Resource Link 

• Nearpod – Interactive presentations with assessments. Resource Link 

• Socrative – Quizzes, polls, and exit tickets. Resource Link 

• Mentimeter – Live polling and word clouds. Resource Link 

• Edpuzzle – Interactive video lessons. Resource Link 

• Padlet – Online bulletin board for collaboration. Resource Link 

• Flipgrid (Flip) – Video discussions for student voice and reflection. Resource Link 

• Pear Deck – Interactive Google Slides integration. Resource Link 

• Gimkit – Live quiz games with competitive rewards. Resource Link 

• Blooket – Game-based review platform. Resource Link 

• Wordwall – Quick game templates for vocab and review. Resource Link 

• Quizalize – Adaptive quiz system with data tracking. Resource Link 

• Formative (GoFormative) – Flexible online quiz and assessment builder that integrates with Google Classroom and supports diverse question types. Resource Link 

• Classcraft – Gamified classroom management tool. Resource Link 

• ClassDojo – Behavior tracking and communication platform gamified for younger learners. Resource Link

• Kialo Edu – Debate platform promoting structured critical thinking and argumentation. Resource Link 

From digital storytelling to 3D modeling, these tools help students (and teachers!) design, create, and express ideas in powerful ways. Think of this section as your creative playground.

• Canva for Education – Design platform education with templates and collaboration. Resource Link 

• Book Creator – Digital books for storytelling or portfolios. Resource Link 

• Adobe Express for Education – Creative media tool. Resource Link 

• TinkerCAD – 3D design & circuits for STEM classes. Resource Link  

• Loom for Education – Video tutorials education for flipped lessons. Resource Link 

• Wakelet – Resource curation tool for organizing lessons or student showcases. Resource Link 

• WeVideo – Collaborative video editor supporting multimedia projects and assignments. Resource Link 

Hands-on, minds-on learning. Whether it’s robotics, coding, or virtual worlds, these tools bring science, engineering, and technology to life — helping students think like creators, not just consumers.

• Sphero Edu – Robotics and block coding for hands-on exploration. Resource Link 

• Blockly – Visual coding language compatible with Sphero and other robotics tools.

• Code.org – Free CS curriculum for computer science fundamentals. Resource Link 

• Replit Teams for Education – Collaborative coding IDE. Resource Link 

• Tynker – Coding courses for K–8 learners. Resource Link 

• Unity Learn – Game and VR development platform for interactive 3D environments. Resource Link 

• CoSpaces EDU – AR/VR creation platform for students. Resource Link 

• Merge Cube / Merge EDU – AR learning platform for science and 3D exploration. Resource Link 

Great classrooms run on great communication. These tools make it easier to connect with students, parents, and colleagues — and to give feedback that actually sticks.

• Mote – Voice feedback tool for Docs and Slides. Resource Link 

• Kami – PDF annotation tool for interactive learning. Resource Link 

• Google Workspace for Education – Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and Drive for collaboration.

• Google Sites – Website builder for teachers to create class hubs with resources, schedules, and assignments.

• Read&Write – Accessibility toolbar providing text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and vocabulary support for inclusive learning. Resource Link 

• Blue Sky – Professional educator network emerging as an alternative to Twitter for collaboration and PD. Resource Link 

• Ed Tech 411 (Idaho) – State-level updates on technology adoption and trends. Resource Link 

Ed Tech moves fast! This section highlights what’s new, what’s evolving, and what’s worth watching — plus a few quick tips to help you stay ahead without burning out.

Coming soon... Preview

• Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams now include breakout rooms, live polling, and formative assessment integrations.

• AI tools increasingly emphasize student privacy and teacher-managed spaces (e.g., SchoolAI Spaces).

• Established tools like Padlet, Nearpod, Kahoot!, and Quizizz continue to evolve with better integrations and clarified free-tier limitations.