AI TOOLS FOR ELT CLASS 

ElevenLabs: A Review of its Features and Benefits for Educators  

ElevenLabs is an artificial intelligence platform offering realistic text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities, which significantly benefits educators (ElevenLabs, n.d.-b). This technology allows for the creation of audio versions of learning materials, thereby supporting diverse learning needs, such as for students with visual impairments or dyslexia, and enhancing accessibility (AI for Education, n.d.). The platform also permits customization of voice tones and styles, enabling content to align with specific lesson contexts and maintain a connection between instructors and students (ElevenLabs, n.d.-a).

A prominent feature for educational applications is ElevenLabs' voice cloning technology, which allows teachers to create digital replicas of their own voices for narrating lessons or providing personalized feedback (ElevenLabs, n.d.-a). Additionally, a Voice Library provides access to a wide range of pre-existing voices, offering flexibility for various educational content and reducing the need for external voice actors, thus saving time and resources (ElevenLabs, n.d.-c; Pixflow, n.d.).

While a free plan offers basic access, paid subscriptions provide more advanced features such as higher character limits and commercial licenses (Voiceflow, n.d.). User reviews often highlight the platform's intuitive interface and the natural quality of the AI-generated voices (Speaktor, n.d.). Despite some reported concerns regarding pronunciation or cost, ElevenLabs is generally regarded as a valuable tool for creating engaging and accessible educational content through expressive AI-generated audio (ElevenLabs, n.d.-d; Speaktor, n.d.).

Magic School AI: A Powerful Tool for Educators

Magic School AI is an educational platform leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline lesson planning, grading, and classroom management, thereby supporting educators. Featuring over 70 distinct tools, such as rubric generators, lesson planners, and behavior intervention suggestions, the platform aims to reduce the administrative burden on teachers, allowing them to dedicate more time to student engagement (All About AI, 2024). Notably, Magic School AI facilitates the creation of differentiated instruction and personalized feedback, enabling educators to more effectively address the diverse needs of their students (Tech & Learning, 2024).

A significant advantage of Magic School AI lies in its capacity to rapidly generate high-quality educational content. Educators can input a specific topic, grade level, and learning objective, and the AI will produce tailored worksheets, exercises, and presentations (Toolify, 2024). This functionality not only enhances classroom engagement but also fosters greater creativity in instructional design. Furthermore, the system offers seamless integration with both Google Classroom and Microsoft platforms, ensuring ease of use with existing educational technologies (Tech & Learning, 2024).

In addition to content generation, Magic School AI provides resources for professional development. The platform offers training courses, certifications, and video tutorials designed to equip teachers with the skills to effectively utilize AI in their practice. Magic School AI advocates for an “80/20” model, where AI handles the majority (80%) of the workload, and educators refine the remaining portion (20%) to ensure contextual relevance and accuracy (Tech & Learning, 2024). Offering a complimentary two-week trial of its premium features, Magic School AI presents itself as a practical and innovative solution for contemporary educational settings (Toolify, 2024).