Jump on the MagicSchool.ai Bus!
Authors: Samantha Goldman; info@ciddl.org
Perhaps one of the most influential AIs to hit special education is MagicSchoolAI. As an AI designed especially to support teachers, it can help with lesson planning, differentiating, writing assessments, writing IEPs, communicating with parents, and so much more. MagicSchool is quickly gaining popularity among educators, with over 2 million teachers and 3,000 schools and districts currently using it.
Highlights
MagicSchool is a curation of over 60 AI tools designed specifically for use by teachers. Designed with efficiency and usability at its core, MagicSchool provides an easy platform for teachers to use that does not require complicated prompts. It reportedly saves teachers 10+ hours per week. Edutopia has named it one of four time-saving AIs for teachers, along with DiffIt, Class Companion, and Curipod.
Common Sense rated it as ⅘ stars for engagement, pedagogy, and support, raving about available tools and options. Some pitfalls include limitations due to the pre-made templates, slow load, and inappropriate grade levels. Overall, the MagicSchool.AI is a great introduction to AI for teachers.
Safety and Privacy
Meanwhile, with other AI, such as Gemini and ChatGPT, users must be cautious of AI training based on their data and other student privacy concerns. MagicSchool is designed with school safety and privacy in mind. MagicSchool boasts an intuitive and safe design with built-in safeguards and special attention to detecting bias and ensuring accuracy. Additionally, the FERPA-compliant platform maintains strict security measures when handling staff and student data.
Integrating MagicSchool into your Pre-service Teacher Program
A recent study explored how math teachers used Magic School to personalize math problems. The in-service and pre-service teachers found it easy to use and time-saving. Some of the challenges they reported included limits to personability and complexity that may not be accessible to all students.
Integrating MagicSchool, or any other technology, into teacher preparation programs must be done with intentionality. Technology, for the sake of technology, is not effective. Here are a few ways to integrate MagicSchool or similar AI into your pre-service courses.
- Give your pre-service teachers time to explore the AI on their own. To do this, you can give them a list of AI and broad, open-ended questions (such as how might you use this in your future classroom, how might this AI support students with disabilities, etc.). Provide them with time to explore and reflect on what they learn.
- Use the various tools within MagicSchool as part of your lessons. For example, when designing IEP goals or lesson plans, encourage them to use AI to help them brainstorm. It is important to remind them that (1) they should never put sensitive or identifying information into AI and (2) they should never use the output directly from the AI without reading it and personalizing it for their specific students.
Just like any technology, AI changes rapidly. While MagicSchool seems to be a popular tool now, new and different tools are constantly being released. Teaching pre-service teachers how to find new tools and meaningfully integrate them into their practice is important. Talking to them about tools like “There’s an AI for That” helps ensure they can find new tools when they leave their teacher preparation programs.
Join the Conversation
Have you played with MagicSchool yet? How have you been introduced to your pre-service teachers? Which tools have you found the most helpful? Which would you or would you not recommend? Head over to our community and share with us!