Our Top AI Tool Picks for The 2023-2024 School Year

Explore how cool AI tools can make schoolwork both easier and more fun! Read about the best apps to help with your studies, writing, and even learning new languages.

Marei Schiffmann

Updated September 10, 2023

Photo by mohammadTFL on Midjourney

Photo by mohammadTFL on Midjourney

Reading Time: 7 minutes

As the back-to-school hustle starts, the academic workload might seem overwhelming. Last year, the concept of using AI to aid schoolwork was still fairly uncharted territory, but things have changed.

The potential of AI in education has evolved incredibly, breaking through the stigma that it promotes academic cheating, to a more embracing viewpoint of its benefits.

As Gen Z emerges as the 'super-users' of generative AI, it is understandable that they use it in all areas of their lives, including school. From simplifying workflows to creating smart content, removing linguistic barriers, and providing a goldmine of information, AI is set to revolutionize the very face of education.

However, the key is identifying the right tools. We’re here to help you navigate your way through the jungle of possibilities, presenting our top picks for a variety of use cases.

Chatbots

…or the “Allrounder”.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is probably the most popular and best known one. Who wants to try out a different one might turn to the Bing Chat; also using GPT-4 as a base. But, in contrast to ChatGPT which costs around $20 per month, Bing’s chat program is free.

Both have advanced capabilities in areas such as writing, coding, and mathematics. This makes them exceptional helpers for a range of school tasks, from essay drafting and editing to decoding complex math problems or even debugging code.

Both can be your ally in answering any class-related queries or clarifying complex study material. It also does research and helps you gather information for your papers or projects and it can assist you in formulating Excel equations or creating insightful graphs, and charts. Just make sure not to cheat! Only use these tools when allowed.

Simplifying and explaining complex concepts from history, current events, politics, or scientific disciplines, chatbots make knowledge more accessible than ever.

Language AI

The use of AI for language learning has recently seen a surge. With chatbots like ChatGPT, learners can practice their language skills, correct their errors, and experience regional variations of languages. This kind of AI tool is providing an accessible and flexible means of enhancing language learning.

Particularly beneficial about chatbots is their instantaneous corrective feedback, technical vocabulary, and the generation of personalized study aids. Furthermore, they contribute to learners' confidence as they provide a platform for error and experimentation, without having to talk to tutors, which is often a hurdle for beginners.

Developers have been swift in responding to this growing interest, creating various apps dedicated to teaching languages. Apps like LangAI have been developed with a comprehensive understanding of the language learning experience, incorporating features such as in-conversation corrections and speech-to-text conversion. 

Another popular language AI tool is duolingo, offering classes in over 30 languages. It implements AI and linguistics to generate lessons that are tailored to fit each individual’s skill level and pace of learning. The lessons, which are science-based and compact, provide a well-rounded education. The primary focus is to enhance reading, listening, and speaking abilities in a fun and engaging manner.

Available on both mobile and web platforms, Duolingo provides the flexibility to learn a new language at your convenience, making language learning accessible both inside and outside the classroom. Its approach to gamifying language learning leverages a comprehensive reward system including streaks, leaderboards, leagues, and points. 

Writing

One of the common challenges faced by writers is the dreaded 'writer's block,' where generating ideas becomes a daunting task. OpenAI’s ChatGPT comes back again as it helps alleviate these issues by assisting in formulating and structuring thoughts to kickstart the writing process.

The AI tool can suggest ideas, establish structure, and generate initial drafts to help you overcome the stumbling block.

Acting as a dependable assistant, ChatGPT generates content from scratch for different genres like research papers, computer code, or creative essays. The dynamic nature of this tool makes it adaptable to varying content types and aids students in diverse subjects. 

Another tool, GrammarlyAI, uses advanced AI technology to help users produce accurate writing across various platforms, from social media posts to formal emails.

Applicable to both students and professionals, Grammarly improves writing by offering instant grammar, spelling, and syntax corrections. It provides detailed explanations for each suggestion, enhancing users' understanding of the English language and refining their writing skills over time.

It also suggests stylistic improvements, ensuring the tone and clarity of the text align with the intended message.

Studying / Organization

Nobody likes being tested! But unfortunately, they are part of nearly all educational programs. That’s why platforms like Quizlet have revolutionized test preparation by utilizing artificial intelligence.

Users use various learning methods like flashcards and matching columns, turning study time into a more engaging experience.

Quizlet has been harnessing AI to optimize study features: with the introduction of an AI-enabled tutor, "Q-Chat”, or its interactive question-answer system, next to many other AI-powered features.

Competitor Quizgecko has carved its niche as a multi-purpose online test and quiz maker. Its AI proficiency can convert existing content into customizable assessments, supporting multiple languages. Ranging from multiple-choice to fill-in-the-blank questions, users can create and integrate quizzes easily.

Another remarkable AI toolset is offered by Century Tech, which combines student data with cognitive neuroscience to provide highly individualized lesson plans.

The AI system accurately tracks each student's progress, detecting and highlighting any weaknesses, and based on these observations, it generates tailor-made study suggestions. The platform also aids educators by providing easy access to essential tools for routine activities like lesson planning and grading, making their tasks more manageable.

Other Useful Tools

There is a wide range of different use cases to make your life easier. Otter.ai supports the note-taking process, e.g. during a lecture, by transcribing spoken words into written texts in real-time.

This transformative tool enables students to focus fully on their lectures without the distraction of manual note-taking. With integration capabilities with multiple apps like Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet, Otter.ai serves as a personal assistant, recording and transcribing essential points from every academic session.

Especially for special needs students, or those who struggle with typing or writing, the Dragon Speech Recognition tool from Nuance provides a great solution. With the ability to transcribe up to 160 words per minute, Dragon enables fast dictation of lesson plans, reading lists, and worksheets with an impressive 99% success rate.

Slidesgo is transforming how students create presentations with an extensive collection of Google Slides and PowerPoint templates. It provides a big range of designs, color schemes, and layouts, helping students craft unique and visually appealing presentations. Slidesgo also suggests templates based on the content, thereby streamlining the design process. This function is particularly beneficial to students without a design background, who still aspire to create captivating presentations.

The NotionAI toolset is optimizing the user experience by using generative AI to assist in various tasks such as note summarization, identifying action items in meetings, and text creation or modification. By automating these often tedious tasks, Notion AI enhances user workflows, offering suggestions and templates to simplify the user experience.

The integration of AI tools in education is reshaping traditional learning methods, creating a more efficient and personalized experience for students. They bridge gaps in understanding, build up learning confidence, and transform studying from a chore to a more fun and enriching experience. 

While these applications are remarkable, they do not replace the fundamental value and human touch of teachers and mentors. Instead, they provide a supplemental advantage, shifting the educational focus from rote memorization to holistic understanding.

They enable students to enhance their skills in an encouraging environment, while also providing teachers with valuable tools to better cater to each student's individual learning style and pace. And in case your school is still strictly against AI, check out our blog for undetectable AI.

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Written by Marei Schiffmann

Marei, a linguistics enthusiast, recently joined the Gold Penguin team as a writer. During her studies on multilingual communication, she discovered her true calling in the world of writing. She developed a keen fascination for AI and technological advancements. As a result, her writing primarily focuses on delivering the latest news in the realm of artificial intelligence.

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