One of the most powerful (yet often overlooked) ways for teachers to use AI is as a thought partner when reflecting on instructional choices.
You see, we often treat AI like a vending machine where we just drop in a prompt and expect a perfect resource to pop out.
But I'm increasingly finding that the real power in AI for educators is approaching it like a colleague, where you can bounce ideas off it, brainstorm, and reflect on the best approach.
Sometimes I’ll ask:
“Does this activity work better as an introduction to the concept, or would it work better as a review?”
Or:
“I’m debating between two ways of teaching this writing strategy. Which one might be more effective for students who are just beginning to learn this particular skill?"
Or:
“How else could I make these instructions more accessible for students who struggle with working memory?”
In response, the AI will explain pros/cons, link to relevant resources, and mention reasons to consider various options.
I can then use that information to make the final decision about what to do with students.
