Every teacher knows that planning, grading, and organizing a classroom can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. 😅 Luckily, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are stepping up to help. Some tools get all the spotlight, like ChatGPT or Kahoot. But what about the hidden gems? There are underrated AI tools that teachers use every single week — and they deserve the spotlight too!
TLDR: 🎯
If you’re a teacher drowning in tasks, underrated AI tools can be lifesavers. From managing student feedback to creating quizzes, several lesser-known apps are making big impacts. They’re time-savers, stress-reducers, and super user-friendly. We’ve rounded up 7 of the best ones so you can work smarter, not harder!
1. Diffit: Auto-Differentiate Your Reading Material
Struggling to make reading content that fits all student levels? Diffit has your back. This AI tool takes any text and adapts it for different reading abilities. It’s perfect for inclusion classrooms or ESL students.
- Paste any article or link.
- Select the reading level (elementary, middle, high school).
- Download AI-generated versions tailored for each level.
Bonus: It also includes questions, summaries, and vocab lists. So you’re not just getting simpler text — you’re getting a whole lesson.
2. Conker: Instant, Smart Quiz Generator
Pop quiz time! But wait — you haven’t written anything yet… that’s where Conker comes in. Just type in a topic and this clever tool creates brand-new quizzes in seconds.
It’s great for:
- Checking comprehension immediately after a lesson.
- Spicing up your assessments with multiple formats (MCQ, true/false, short answer).
- Creating quizzes that are fresh and not pulled from outdated question banks.
The best part? Students actually enjoy the quizzes because they feel tailored and modern.
3. Magical: Text Shortcuts for Teachers
Ever find yourself typing the same comment over and over on assignments? Magical turns your keyboard into a super tool by letting you create text shortcuts. Type “/gjob” and it auto-fills “Great job on this paragraph — love your analysis!”
This saves HOURS during grading. It’s basically predictive texting on steroids, and it works in Google Classroom, Gmail, and other platforms.
Time saved = Netflix earned. 🍿
4. TeachFX: Let’s Talk (and Actually Listen)
Have you ever wondered how much your students are actually talking during lessons? TeachFX uses AI to listen to classroom audio and give you a report on talk time — your talk vs. theirs.
This tool helps with:
- Creating more student-centered classrooms.
- Identifying patterns in class discussions.
- Improving engagement and equity in participation.
It’s amazing how eye-opening it is to actually see (or hear) the talking balance.
5. Scribe: Step-by-Step Instruction Maker
Need to teach students or other teachers how to do something online? Scribe records your screen and turns it into a step-by-step guide — with screenshots and instructions.
Perfect for:
- Teaching students how to submit assignments on new platforms.
- Creating quick tutorial docs.
- Training fellow teachers on software.
Think of it as your silent teaching assistant — clear, quick, and always available.
6. Elicit: AI Research Assistant
Doing professional development or grad school while teaching full-time? Say hello to Elicit. This AI searches academic papers and gives you digestible summaries. No wall of complex jargon — just clear insights.
You can ask it:
- “What are effective strategies for managing ADHD in the classroom?”
- “What does the research say about reading interventions?”
Warning: You may cry tears of joy when it saves you hours of research time.
7. Poe by Quora: Multi-Bot Messaging
This one’s a treat. Poe lets you chat with multiple AI bots — including Claude, GPT-4, and others — all in one place. Use it to get different perspectives, clarify complex topics, or create lesson plans.
Why use one AI when you can tap the brains of many? 🤯
It’s especially great for brainstorming or finding creative ways to explain things to students. You can even compare answers and choose the one that fits your style best.
Wrapping It Up 🎬
Teaching is a tough (and awesome) job, but AI is here to help. These hidden gems can boost your workflow, cut back your planning time, and bring a little more peace to your bustling classroom.
Let’s recap:
- Diffit: Differentiated reading made easy.
- Conker: Quick quizzes, zero stress.
- Magical: Text shortcuts that save your sanity.
- TeachFX: Find out who’s doing the talking.
- Scribe: Fast how-to guides for anything.
- Elicit: Smarter, faster research.
- Poe: Brainstorm with an army of AI.
So go on, test one or two out this week. Your future self will thank you (and maybe even send you a thank-you emoji 🧠✨).