If you're a teacher, you’ve probably seen the explosion of AI tools being marketed to schools. Tools for grading, lesson planning, test prep, and more. And while some are genuinely helpful, others feel like they were built by people who’ve never stepped foot in a classroom.
So which ones are actually worth looking at this year?
We reviewed the most-used AI platforms in schools right now and broke them down by what they do for you (and your students). Whether you’re trying to save time, improve feedback, or just survive your prep period, here’s a look at what’s out there, and why Instructron might be the one that actually gets it.
🗓️ Updated June 2025: This snapshot reflects the latest public data and user experiences.
AI Tools Teachers Are Actually Using
1. DreamBox Learning
Mostly used in elementary settings, DreamBox personalizes math practice for students. It adapts in real time and gives teachers data on who’s struggling, but it’s very math-specific and doesn’t offer much flexibility beyond that.
2. MagicSchool
You’ve probably heard of this one. MagicSchool helps teachers generate things like lesson plans, rubrics, and parent emails using AI. They’ve recently added a student-facing version, but it’s still more about saving teachers time than improving instruction.
3. Khanmigo (Khan Academy)
Khan Academy’s AI tutor, Khanmigo, helps walk students through math problems and can support teachers with writing prompts and lesson hooks. It’s a great support tool, but only really works well if you’re already using Khan Academy regularly.
4. Carnegie Learning
Carnegie blends AI with cognitive science to personalize math and science instruction. Their game-based platform (MATHia Adventure) is great for skill building, but it’s a heavier lift to implement and often used at the district level.
5. IONI
This one’s more niche. IONI lets schools build custom AI “agents” to act as tutors, mentors, or teaching assistants. It’s powerful but technical, probably better for schools with a lot of IT support than for an individual teacher looking to try something new.
6. Instructron
Okay, we’re biased, but hear us out. Instructron was actually built by current teachers who were tired of piecing together a dozen different tools. It supports students with real-time writing feedback, test prep help, and study coaching, while giving teachers access to planning tools, assessments, and PLC support. You don’t need to “train” it or spend your weekend learning a new interface. It just works.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tool | Helps Students Learn | Helps Teachers Plan | Adapts to Student Needs | Works Across Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instructron | ✅ Coaching & feedback | ✅ Lessons, quizzes, data | ✅ Yes | ✅ ELA, math, test prep, more |
| DreamBox | ✅ Math only | ⚠️ Limited reports | ✅ Yes | ❌ Math only |
| MagicSchool | ⚠️ Limited (new tool) | ✅ Lesson/email/rubrics | ⚠️ Mostly templates | ⚠️ Mostly ELA |
| Khanmigo | ✅ Concept support | ✅ Lesson hooks/prompts | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Math & science only |
| Carnegie Learning | ✅ STEM-focused | ✅ Curriculum tools | ✅ Yes | ❌ STEM only |
| IONI | ⚠️ Custom setup needed | ⚠️ Requires configuration | ✅ Yes | ✅ If built manually |
So What’s the Best Pick for Teachers?
Let’s be honest: most of these platforms do something helpful, but very few do everything teachers actually need, without adding more to your plate.
- DreamBox is solid for math practice.
- MagicSchool helps knock out time-consuming admin tasks.
- Khanmigo is great if you’re already deep into Khan Academy.
- Instructron? It’s built to run in the background while you teach. Students get help. You get your time back. And your admin thinks you’re magic.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t going to replace teachers (thank goodness). But the right AI can make your day easier, your feedback more meaningful, and your instruction more targeted.
Instructron is the only tool on this list designed to do all three, for real teachers and real students.
Ready to try it? Get early access here.