While having a variety of AI tools at your fingertips is helpful, the number of options can feel overwhelming.

In our OTIS for educators session, “Demystifying AI Tools,” we’ll dive into the top AI platforms being used in education. We’ll uncover their ideal use cases, abilities, and limitations so that you can find the best fit(s) for your workflow. Attendees will come away with decision guidance for building a personalized AI toolkit.

Nonetheless, I wanted to hear from real educators, both in the U.S. and abroad. What tools are current favorites and why? What AI tools are teachers actually using? I reached out to my social networks and ambassador communities to learn more. Here’s what they had to say!

Google Tools: NotebookLM & Gemini

Overwhelmingly, NotebookLM took the lead. Before researching, I lacked experience with this platform, so I decided to see what the hype was about. Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed. NotebookLM features an intuitive interface that focuses only on the sources you provide, ensuring it never pulls information from arbitrary sites. NotebookLM’s studio creates audio/video overviews, slide decks, mind maps, reports, flashcards, quizzes, data tables, and infographics.

Elementary teacher and professional trainer Debora Carmella Niutta shared:

“In Italy there’s an important constraint: students under 14 are not allowed to use generative AI tools directly, so in schools we mostly work through mediated, guided, or teacher-designed activities. For my own professional practice, I use Gemini, NotebookLM, and Teachy AI extensively to design materials, activities, and modular learning paths. They help me speed up the design process while keeping the quality high and staying within the Italian regulatory framework.”

According to Lumio ambassador Ingygalal, a math teacher and digital lead in the UAE:

“The most helpful thing NotebookLM has done for me is turning my master’s study materials into something much easier to understand and review. I upload my articles, notes, and presentations, and it helps me summarize key ideas, organize my thoughts, and even create podcast-style audio that I can listen to while studying. It makes the learning feel more interactive and helps me prepare for assignments and presentations more confidently.”

Google Gemini is another popular AI tool among educators. EdTech and STEM trainer Tricia Umhafer pointed out its seamless integration as a standout feature. If you’re working within Google Classroom, there is “ease of use with everything right there, no need for another tab or login.” Beyond Google Classroom, she mentioned the direct integration with Google Docs and Gemini Canvas. This lets teachers draft and edit content without switching between a chat window and a document editor. Talk about a massive time saver!

All-In-One Platforms

Curious about the Teachy AI platform Niutta mentioned above? It’s an all-in-one generative AI platform designed specifically for teachers to automate tedious tasks. Niutta notes that what she appreciates the most “is how it helps structure modular learning paths, create step-by-step activities, and adapt materials for different levels without losing coherence… It speeds up the planning phase while keeping everything aligned within national guidelines.”  This AI tool is used by over 5 million teachers worldwide, with its core alignment in Brazil and Latin America.

In the U.S., more teachers turn to Magic School AI, which boasts a worldwide user base of over 7.5 million educators. Plus, there are tons of student-facing tools as well!

Student Use

According to survey data, Canva AI was also highly rated. When it comes to student use, Guy Colnbrook, Head of Digital Learning at Gosfield School in Halsted, Essex, shared their school’s preference for the safeguards provided by Canva AI for students ages 6 and Copilot, through the Microsoft Education license, for students ages 13 and older.

Colnbrook cited the importance of making sure that prompts/outputs are not shared for training future AI models and administrators’ abilities to monitor prompt history and investigate concerns. These AI tools enable educators to jumpstart their AI literacy program and have students look at “refining prompts…and discussing bias, such as [images of] all flight attendants being female.” For them, Canva AI is often used for creative stimulus, while Copilot has been used to help students “plan longer written pieces and proofread final pieces. [Additionally], Year 9 history pupils have used Copilot for interviewing historical characters.”

Final Thoughts

Even with these protections in place, teachers identify the benefits of having responsible AI use agreements in place, which focuses on checking for reliability and accuracy. One point of Gosfield School’s policy is particularly prominent: “I will NOT use AI as a replacement for a friend or trusted adult when I need support or advice.”

When used appropriately, AI tools can minimize prep time and optimize your workflow, so finding the best options that fit your teaching style is a game changer! We can’t wait to hear what AI tools you’re using!

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

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