Below is a list of recommended tools. They have been vetted by the technology department and any Google or Microsoft Sign-ins have been enabled. Many of these tools are changing rapidly and adding paid/premium features. The district does not currently pay for any of these tools and likely will hold off until AI tools become more established. There are plenty of amazing tools and features to utilize for free. If you really want to request something, you can complete this form.
Key Reminders:
- If you have not already, I would recommend reading these BLC Blog Posts:
- You and your students should not include personal information such as first and last names, geographic locations, health status, etc.
- Many tools are not intended for students, including Copilot and Gemini. Adhere to the terms of service. Age limits have been noted for most of the tools below.
- If you get confused about any of the terminology used below or in the linked resources, check out this AI glossary as a reference.
Large Language Models/Chatbots
LLMs are likely the AI tools you’ve heard most, ChatGPT being the first one to make all the waves. Now that it is over a year old, a number of competitors have popped up in its place. LLMs are tools that allow you to type in a prompt and get a written (or visual) response quickly that can emulate the work of a human in seconds. Here are three examples of LLMs:
- Google Gemini (use Google account, open to all students K-12)
- Microsoft Copilot (use Microsoft account, 18+)
- ChatGPT (use Google account, 13+, sensitive data is NOT protected)
- Raina (the chatbot from MagicSchool AI, open to all students K-12)
When you and your students start using LLMs, consider how you are going to coach them on entering prompts. The more specific you get with LLMs, the better the outputs. Here is a link to an article that will help you and your students generate effective prompts. Here is a link to a library of prompts that you and your students can use for all sorts of educational purposes.
I have come to really like Microsoft Copilot because it protects our data when using your district Microsoft account, it incorporates Dall-E (an solid image generator) so you don’t have to use a separate website or tool, and most importantly, it cites its sources using hyperlinks when you ask it questions. Google Gemini is also a great option. Our data is protected and you may find you like the responses better than Copilot.
MagicSchool AI (Teachers and Students)
MagicSchool AI has been adopted by Shakopee Public Schools as our primary AI platform for teachers and students. It contains a library of AI-powered tools that educators can use to save time on administrative tasks as well as enhance instruction in their classrooms. Educators can also create “rooms” for students to utilize tools within the platform, which can be customized to meet the needs of any learner.
Creative Tools (Teachers and Students)
Canva Magic Studio (13+)
Canva Magic Studio contains a collection of AI-powered tools that students and teachers can use to design in Canva. For example, you can use it to generate a slideshow or document from scratch, help you rewrite your work, generate a video using text prompts, and a lot more.
Image Generators
Image generators allow you to enter a prompt and receive an image that you can use. This can be helpful if you are making a slideshow or project and have a specific image in mind. It can be a lot easier and faster than trying to search for the perfect image and you also don’t have to worry about copyright issues. While there are other tools out there, these ones work pretty well and are free to use. They work even better if you upload a similar image that you want your new image to look like.
Disclaimer: I have occasionally generated images that are the stuff of nightmares. And AI image generators seem to struggle with generating realistic hands and faces. You may want to avoid using them with younger students.
- Microsoft Copilot (use Microsoft account, 18+).
- Adobe Firefly (use Google account, all teachers & students).
- Canva Text to Image Generator (use Google Account, 13+).
- Scribble Diffusion: allows you to sketch out an image and use a text prompt, no account required (all teachers & students).
NotebookLM (all students and staff)
NotebookLM is a Google AI-powered tool that can be used in a lot of ways to learn more about a topic. Think of it as a tool that allows you to create your very own chatbot that only uses information that you want it to reference. You add sources to a “notebook" based around a topic. Sources can include files, Google Docs/Slides, YouTube video links, website links, and even your own audio recordings. You can then ask a chatbot questions about those sources, view a mind map or study guide, generate a podcast-style “audio overview” of your sources, and even a “video overview” of your sources.
NotebookLM Tutorial
NotebookLM iOS App
iPad Apps
- Hello History (all grades): chat with AI versions of historical figures. You get 20 questions for free. Delete and reinstall the app to reset your question count to 20.
- AI Art Generator (6th-8th grade only): quickly generate AI images based on prompts you type.
- Canva Text to Image Generator (available in the Canva iPad app for 13+)
- NotebookLM (recommend to use the web app, not iOS app)