I’m not sharing any breaking news by telling you that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here and an undeniable part of our learners’ futures (I hope it’s not breaking news to you!). But, where do we start?
Below, I’ll highlight some tools that Molly Klodor and I discussed in a recent episode of the Educational Duct Tape podcast that help expose learners to AI in a hands-on way while also easing you, the teacher, into seeing AI as a part of your learning environment. Shout-out to Molly for suggesting most of these awesome tools!
From simple AI games for younger students or beginners to more complex tools for middle and high school learners, here’s a range of resources that can be easily integrated into your classroom . . .
Showing Learners What AI Is
1. Google Arts & Culture AI Games: Fun with Quick, Draw
If you’re looking for a way to introduce AI concepts to younger students, the AI-powered games from Google and Google Arts & Culture are a great place to start. A really fun, easy-to-use one is Quick, Draw!, a fast-paced game where students draw objects while an AI tries to guess what they’re sketching.
This game isn’t just entertaining—it’s an excellent teaching moment. After playing, teachers can spark discussions by asking students questions like, “How did the AI know that was an umbrella?” or “What was happening behind the scenes?” This leads to a deeper understanding of AI as a system that learns to recognize patterns and responds to inputs (like drawings) to generate answers.
Molly also pointed out that one thing that’s super nice about this tool and the next one is that they don’t require accounts for use.
2. Say What You See: A Game of AI Prompts
Another interactive game from Google Arts & Culture is Say What You See. In this game, students describe what they observe in a piece of art or an image, and the AI guesses what they’re talking about. This game is an excellent tool for teaching students how AI interprets human input and improves their ability to craft precise and clear prompts.
Like Quick, Draw, teachers can use this game as a light, engaging activity during indoor recess or as a quick filler at the end of a lesson. It also opens the door to conversations about how AI uses language to “understand” human instructions.
3. Google Applied Digital Skills: Understanding AI
When it’s time to dive deeper into AI beyond games, Google’s Applied Digital Skills offers free, structured lesson plans designed to teach students different tech skills. Two of them – Explore a Topic: Generative AI and Discover AI in Daily Life would be great to use, especially the Discover AI in Daily Life one, as it would teach learners the basics of AI. The lesson explains what AI is and how it works without students directly using AI tools themselves. It’s a perfect introductory lesson for students (and teachers!) who are still grasping the fundamentals of AI.
4. aiEDU: A Teacher’s Dream for AI Resources
For educators seeking more comprehensive resources, aiEDU provides outstanding programming that feels like it was created with a teacher’s perspective in mind. These resources are not just about using AI in the classroom but about helping students truly understand how AI impacts our world. The materials are well-designed, easy to follow, and offer activities that challenge students to think critically about the ethical and practical implications of AI.
Allowing students to actively engage with AI
Molly suggested starting with those 4 previous tools that expose the learners to what AI is and how it works. Once that basic knowledge is in place, she shared that your next step is to put these concepts into practice with AI-powered tools that support learning, allowing students to actively engage with AI in meaningful, safe, and teacher-guided ways.
5. MagicSchool: Guided AI Exploration
She shared that, when you’re ready to use AI tools in your classroom, MagicSchool is a fantastic resource to start with. One option is for teachers to launch a MagicStudent virtual “room” with curated AI tools. These might include tools for generating ideas, checking grammar, or even engaging in debate. Students can explore the tools freely within the boundaries you set, ensuring both safety and focus. As Molly’s suggestion connects to a concept that I love to share: “freedom within fences.” So, learners get some freedom to explore, but their within a safe fenced space.
Molly pointed out that a major advantage of MagicSchool is that it doesn’t require students to create accounts, and teachers can monitor student activity, ensuring AI is used effectively. This flexibility makes it ideal for formative assessments without the stress of grades.
6. SchoolAI: Customizable Learning Spaces
Another powerful tool for educators is SchoolAI, which works similarly to MagicSchool but with more customizable spaces. Teachers can set up individual spaces for different AI activities, like debate practice or essay editing, and tailor each space to specific learning objectives. As Molly shared, the tool “redirects students into a very tight little boundary in a really safe way,” making it a perfect solution for ensuring students stay on task, but still get to learn how to leverage AI for learning.
Molly shared some love for SchoolAI’s ability to create highly specific scenarios, such as simulating debates with historical figures like John Locke, offering students an interactive and immersive experience. She did note that, based on her work with elementary schoolers, she feels that SchoolAI may be more suited for students in third grade and above due to the complexity of its language interactions.
7. Exploring ChatGPT with Older Students
As students grow more comfortable with AI, educators may consider transitioning them to more widely used AI tools, such as ChatGPT. ChatGPT is more appropriate for students aged 13 and up, with parental approval. This transition can prepare students for real-world applications of AI as they begin to use platforms that will be relevant in higher education and their future careers. ChatGPT and other large language models like Gemini, Copilot, and Claude can aid in research, writing, and even creative projects. However, it’s important to model appropriate AI use for students first, guiding them in how to ask questions and helping them understand how to critically evaluate AI-generated content.
Final Thoughts
Introducing students to AI doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools and a structured approach, you can help students understand AI’s role in the world while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Whether your learners are using fun games like Quick, Draw! or interacting with actual chatbots, the key is to create opportunities for students to interact with AI in meaningful ways.
For more in-depth discussions about AI tools and teaching tips, don’t forget to check out my full conversation with Molly Klodor on the Educational Duct Tape Podcast.
What AI tools are you excited to introduce in your classroom? What ones did Molly and I leave out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
