Useful Tools to Help Students and Teachers

Education has changed. Whether you're a teacher juggling lesson plans, grading, and tech hiccups or a student just trying to keep up without burning out, the right tools can make all the difference. Thankfully, there are a ton of great platforms out there that don't just make things easier—they actually improve how we teach and learn. From AI-powered assistants like a text humanizer to interactive apps that keep everyone awake (yes, even during math), let's break down the best tools for students and teachers.

AI Tools for Teachers

AI in the classroom might sound a bit futuristic, but it's quickly becoming one of the most useful resources. AI tools for teachers can help with time-consuming tasks like grading, creating rubrics, or even writing learning objectives. For example, platforms like MagicSchool AI or Eduaide.AI let you type in what you're teaching, and boom—you get tailored lesson ideas, worksheets, and even exit tickets. You can suggest this platform to any teacher who needs extra help. It's like having a teaching assistant who never sleeps. Even for grading, tools like Gradescope save teachers hours by using AI to scan and score assessments. These tools aren't trying to replace teachers—they're helping free up time so you can do more of the good stuff, like connecting with your students.

Virtual Classroom Tools

If you're teaching online—or even in a hybrid setup—you already know that not all video platforms are created equal. Good virtual classroom tools do more than let you host a Zoom call. They help you create a real learning space, even when you're miles apart.

Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams for Education are staples for managing assignments, announcements, and feedback. But if you want to keep things more interactive, Nearpod and Pear Deck let you turn regular slide decks into lessons where students can draw, vote, or answer questions live.

Breakout rooms? Live polls? Shared whiteboards? These tools turn your virtual class into something much more dynamic and less boring.

Free Classroom Tools

Not every teacher or school has a big tech budget (or any budget at all, let's be real). Luckily, there are some seriously powerful free classroom tools that won't cost a dime but still deliver major value.

Kahoot! and Quizizz are perfect for quick reviews or energizing the room with a little healthy competition. Canva for Education is a dream for creating posters, timelines, and class presentations—no design experience needed.

Padlet and Jamboard are great if you want students to brainstorm or collaborate in real-time. And yes, all of these have free tiers that are worth using. So, no excuses—tech doesn't have to cost a lot.

Edtech Tools for Students

Students these days are super tech-savvy—but that doesn't mean they're using the best tools for learning. The right edtech tools for students can help them stay organized, study smarter, and even build useful skills for the future.

For starters, apps like Notion, Google Keep, or Evernote make it easier to track notes, assignments, and deadlines. Tools like Quizlet and Khan Academy are lifesavers for test prep and brushing up on tough topics.

And when it comes to writing or using an AI text detector, Grammarly and QuillBot help students improve their grammar and phrasing in real-time. Bonus: these tools teach writing skills, not just fix mistakes.

Student Collaboration Tools

Group projects get a bad rap—but with the right student collaboration tools, teamwork doesn't have to be a nightmare.

Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets are still go-to's because they're just so easy to use and share. But if you're looking for a bit more structure, Trello can help manage tasks and due dates, while Miro is perfect for brainstorming ideas with visual boards.

Want students to talk instead of type? Flip lets them record short video responses, making it a more personal (and often more fun) way to share ideas.

Interactive Learning Tools

Lectures are fine sometimes, but let's be honest—students learn better when they're actually doing something. That's where interactive learning tools come in.

Apps like Blooket and Gimkit turn review sessions into fast-paced games. Desmos and PhET bring equations and science concepts to life with simulations that students can actually explore and manipulate.

Coding platforms like Tynker or Scratch teach logic and creativity in a hands-on way, even for kids as young as 8 years old. These tools don't just make learning fun—they make it stick.

Lesson Planning Tools

Lesson planning: essential but often exhausting. That's why lesson planning tools can be a real lifesaver. Whether you prefer digital templates or AI-generated help, there's a tool out there to make your job easier.

Planboard by Chalk is a great place to start. It lets you map out lessons by subject, day, or curriculum standard, all in one clean interface. Common Curriculum is another user-friendly option that even syncs with Google Calendar.

If you want a shortcut, AI tools like TeachMateAI can create whole unit plans in seconds based on a topic and grade level. Planning just went from "ugh" to "done."

Assessment Tools for Teachers

Grading doesn't have to be a mountain of stress. With today's assessment tools for teachers, you can build better quizzes, track student progress, use a plagiarism check, and give feedback faster than ever.

Edulastic and Formative are awesome for real-time, standards-aligned assessments. Students can get instant feedback, and teachers can see who's getting it and who needs more help.

Plus, tools like ZipGrade let you scan bubble sheets with your phone (seriously). Whether you're doing multiple choice, short answers, or essays, there's something out there to make the process smoother.

Professional Development Tools for Teachers

Teachers are lifelong learners, too—and thankfully, there are some fantastic professional development tools for teachers out there to help you grow on your own schedule.

Online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and SimpleK12 offer PD courses on everything from classroom tech to equity in education. Some are even free, and many offer certificates for your teaching portfolio.

Want something quick and bite-sized? Try TeachersFirst or MOOEC for mini-lessons and training modules you can do between classes or over a weekend.

Final Thoughts

Education is changing fast, but the right tools can help you stay ahead of the game without burning out. Whether you're a student looking to stay on top of assignments or a teacher trying to make lesson planning less painful, there's something out there designed to help.

So give one (or five) of these a try. You might find your new favorite tool and free up time and energy for what really matters: great teaching and real learning.