In classrooms across the country, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant idea. It’s here—and it’s changing the way we teach, learn, and lead. From voice-to-text tools and auto-graded quizzes to curriculum generators and adaptive learning platforms, AI is becoming a daily part of educational life. Schools and school districts across the country are rapidly adopting generative AI tools, recognizing this technology as a game changer for education at every level. So, how can teachers use these tools without losing their voice? What should future educators know now to thrive in an AI-enhanced world?
At Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Integrated Learning and Development (SILD), we believe that great teaching is more than just delivering content. It’s about leading with wisdom, creativity, and care—especially when using powerful tools like AI. Here’s how educators at every stage of their journey can use AI thoughtfully, while staying true to their purpose.
Start with Purpose, Not Just Tools
AI can do a lot—generate lesson plans, summarize articles, and offer feedback, but effective teachers start with why. Why am I teaching this? What do my students need most right now?
In our education programs, we teach candidates to begin with learning goals, not shortcuts. Tools like the IWU Lesson Plan Template and the Teacher Work Sample help educators focus on outcomes and then select the right methods—including technology. AI tools now support lesson planning and planning by helping teachers efficiently create standards-aligned lesson plans and high-quality instructional materials. This ensures AI isn’t driving instruction, but enhancing it. For example, educators might explore MagicSchool.ai or Curipod to generate standards-aligned lesson ideas or create interactive activities, always aligning back to their learning objectives.
Learn to Partner, Not Replace
Good AI use is like a good co-teacher: it supports you without taking over. AI-powered teaching assistants and AI tools enable teachers to manage their classrooms more effectively by automating routine tasks, personalizing instruction, and enhancing student engagement. Whether you're an early childhood educator using speech recognition for emergent readers or a special education teacher using predictive text tools to support writing, AI works best when paired with thoughtful, human instruction.
SILD candidates engage in reflective practice as they observe how technology shapes teaching and learning in real classrooms. Through assignments and guided discussions, they learn to evaluate the role of digital tools in supporting student voice, promoting equity, and encouraging meaningful collaboration. We prepare educators to be discerning, not dependent. Examples include using Otter.ai for speech-to-text support or GrammarlyGO to guide students in refining their writing, as well as exploring new tools that are AI powered and can serve as virtual teaching assistants or AI tools to further enable teachers in their practice.
Differentiate with Dignity
One of AI’s best uses is helping meet diverse student needs. In early childhood settings, personalized storybooks and visual prompts created with AI can support language and social development. These resources can be tailored for visual learners and used to create interactive lessons, such as word clouds and open ended responses, to enhance learning experiences. In special education, text-to-speech and visual schedule generators help remove barriers to learning.
Through the Diversity Case Study and Digital Portfolio, our students practice selecting and reflecting on tools that support inclusion—not just convenience. AI-powered content generators help teachers differentiate instruction and create resources for personalized learning, supporting both advanced students and learners who need extra help. We teach future teachers to ask: Does this tool honor each child’s dignity, or just make things faster? Example tools candidates and current educators can explore include Book Creator with AI storytelling features and custom visual schedule generators created through Canva or ChatGPT prompts. AI can also act as a personal tutor, providing individualized support to each learner and helping teachers track students' strengths and progress. Differentiated instruction and personalized learning are key benefits of using AI tools, enabling teachers to adapt to each learner's needs and improve the overall learning experience.
Think Ahead: Be Future-Ready
AI is evolving fast. As Wharton professor Ethan Mollick put it, "This is the worst AI you will ever use." That means today’s tools are the least powerful we’ll see—and tomorrow’s teachers need to be ready.
At IWU, we prepare educators not only with today's strategies, but with a mindset of growth, reflection, and responsibility. Our Dispositions Assessment ensures candidates model ethical practice, while tools like the Digital Portfolio help them stay connected to professional learning networks and thought leaders. Being future-ready means staying curious. It means knowing that great educators never stop learning—even from AI.
For New and Aspiring Educators: Here’s Where to Start
New and aspiring educators can begin exploring artificial intelligence in education by experimenting with small AI tools like MagicSchool, Quizizz AI, or Edpuzzle—generative AI platforms that help save time and create high quality instructional materials. As teachers integrate these tools, it’s important to observe how they support student engagement, personalized learning, and differentiated instruction for various learning styles, including visual learners and advanced students. Reflecting on how these tools align with learning objectives and asking questions about responsible AI use—such as who benefits or who might be left out—helps ensure ethical integration across grade levels and school districts. While genAI tools like Magic Write in Google Docs or content generators in Microsoft Word can act as valuable teaching assistants, they should enhance—not replace—the relationships, trust, and empathy that educators build in the classroom.
Lead the Future of Education with Purpose
Artificial intelligence is not a magic fix—it’s a powerful partner that, when used with wisdom and intention, can enrich learning and empower both teachers and students. At Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Integrated Learning and Development (SILD), we prepare educators who are rooted in faith, equipped with practical tools, and called to serve with integrity and innovation. Through immersive field experiences, AI-integrated strategies, and a Christ-centered approach, our programs support educators across Early Childhood, Exceptional Needs, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Whether you’re already in the classroom or just beginning your journey, now is the time to step forward as a purpose-driven leader. Join a community that’s shaping the future of education—start your path with SILD today.
Note from the author: This article was partially written with the help of various AI tools to enhance the quality and accuracy of the content.
