10 Differentiation in the Classroom Through MagicSchool AI

Abstract

When you step into a classroom, you will often see one teacher working to meet the diverse needs of learners. The range of learning levels among students continues to increase, creating a challenging task for educators. Teachers are experiencing the demands of programming in different languages, and various grade levels within one space. MagicSchool AI, an artificial intelligence tool, acts as an assistant to educators. MagicSchool AI provides tools for differentiation such as translation, worksheet generators, and text levelers. With AI, teachers can save time and provide support for all learners.

Figure 1

Differentiation in the Classroom

Note. Rebecca Medeiros (2024) generated this image using the Ideogram AI platform. I dedicate any rights I hold to this image to the public domain via CC0.

Introduction

In a classroom, you will encounter unique learners who contribute to the overall environment. In this inclusive environment “all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn” (Lisdiana et al., 2019, p. 19). Classrooms, however, are not “designed for one-to-one instruction” (Ebeling, 2000, p. 247). Teachers are responsible for creating programming for each learner at a level where they can find success. Despite teachers’ best efforts, there may still be a student who does not get it (Ebeling, 2000, p. 247). The process of differentiation is when teachers work to engage students in a manner where they can develop a deeper level of understanding (Lisdiana et al., 2019, p. 20).

In a study completed by Bruggink et al. (2014), teachers outlined four dimensions of learning supports required in the classroom which are “the need for instructional support, the need for on-task behavioural support, the need for emotional support, and the need for peer support” (p. 167). Even though educators have outlined an expressed concern regarding needing more support in the classroom, we are seeing a decrease in the number of educational assistants (EA). The number of EA positions has dropped from “16,800 to 14,600” in Alberta schools (CUPE Alberta, 2023, para. 6). With the decrease in classroom support and the increase in classroom needs, there is a potential for teachers to burn out and leave the profession (Farber, 1984, p. 321). With the development of Artificial Intelligence tools, how can we work to support educators?

MagicSchool AI is an online platform curated to support teachers in the classroom. It has been created to “lighten the load, so teachers can save their energy for where they shine best-in the classroom, in front of students” (Magic School Inc, 2024). To support the growing need for differentiation, MagicSchool AI provides a text translator, worksheet generator, and text leveler. The text translator feature enables you to “take any text and translate it into any language instantly” (Magic School Inc, 2024). This allows teachers to instantly translate learning materials into a student’s home language. The worksheet generator can create a worksheet on any concept at any grade level. The text leveler can change the reading level of any written prompt. These tools enhance instructional design by supporting the increased need for differentiation in the classroom. It is relevant to modern educators as a time-saving tool to support planning for individualized instruction in the classroom.

Learning Objectives

Case Study

MagicSchool AI uses the magic of AI to help teachers save time. MagicSchool works to “save time, fight burnout, & promote sustainability” (Magic School Inc, 2024). This is a personal tool intentionally created to become a digital assistant for educators. Within MagicSchool are tools such as text translators, worksheet generators and text levelers. Each of these tools aids in providing differentiation in the classroom. Implementing these tools as an educator will save time and help to meet the needs of all individual learners.

The number of English Additional Language (EAL) students within Canada continues to grow. According to Alberta Education (2009), many families are immigrating to Canada to find employment (p. 1). This means educators are seeing an increase in the number of students who do not speak English in their classrooms. As a result, educators are faced with language barriers when teaching students. MagicSchool AI text translator allows educators to instantly translate any worksheet, email or text. This aids educators when engaging with families in any language, allowing for open communication lines between families and teachers. In the classroom, teachers can use this tool to translate materials into Spanish so students can reference the Spanish and English versions. With MagicSchool AI, students will be more engaged and appreciative to see materials in their home language.

Benefits of using text translation include:

• Educators can communicate with students in various languages.
• Educators can translate worksheets to a student’s home language.
• Educators may email parents in their preferred language.

Steps to use this tool:

1. Format original material to be translated

For example, to translate a topic sentence, the user can type these questions.

• Why might people like having a pet?
• What is your favourite sport?
• What is your dream job?
• Why are friends important?
• What is your favourite colour?

2. Upload to MagicSchool AI – Use the paperclip icon to attach documents (reference table 1)

3. Generate translation (reference table 1)

4. Copy and paste and reformat to your liking

Table 1
Steps to use Text Translation in MagicSchool AI 

MagicSchool AI – Text Translator

Note. Screenshots were used with permission from MagicSchool AI.

Limitations of text translation:

• MagicSchool AI is unable to format the translation into the original format submitted. This means educators must copy and paste the translation and reformat the material to their liking.

Positives of text translation:

• MagicSchool AI provides instant translation of materials.
• It saves educators time.
• MagicSchool AI saves educators brain power that they can use to further support students in the classroom.
• It creates easy communication lines between educators, parents and students.

According to Felder & Brent (2005), “no two students are alike” (p. 57). This means that in a classroom setting students will be learning at a variety of different grade levels. Due to the large number of students in a classroom, teachers must attempt to accommodate the diverse needs (Felder & Brent, 2005, p. 57). MagicSchool AI worksheet generator allows teachers to create worksheets on any topic at any grade level. This allows educators the ability to meet the diverse needs of a classroom without spending hours preparing lessons.

Benefits of using the worksheet generator include: 

• The ability to create worksheets on the same topic for differing grade levels.
• The ability to generate worksheets on a given topic.

Steps to use this tool:

1. Identify desired learning outcomes and grade level

2. Input outcomes and grade levels into MagicSchool AI (reference table 2)

3. Generate worksheet (reference table 2)

4. Copy and paste and reformat as needed

Table 2

Steps to Use the Worksheet Generator in MagicSchool AI 

MagicSchool AI – Worksheet Generator

Note. Screenshots were used with permission from MagicSchool AI.

Limitations of the worksheet generator:

• MagicSchool AI is unable to generate specific formats ex: “generate 10 multiple choice questions”. Each worksheet is produced with fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice and open-ended questions.

Positives of the worksheet generator:

• MagicSchool AI can provide worksheets at varied levels that can be used independently or with the use of an educational assistant in the classroom.
• It can save educators time.
• MagicSchool AI provides an answer key for the worksheet provided.

In an average classroom of 30 students, educators will have a variety of reading levels to differentiate for. As stated by Floyd, “Some of my pupils read on a second grade level, and some on an eighth grade level, and others on all levels in between” (p. 99). With the varying reading levels, educators are faced with how to provide materials that all students can read and understand. MagicSchool AI text leveler allows an educator to change the reading level of any material.

Benefits of the text leveler include:

• The ability to modify the reading level of any given material.

Steps to use this tool:

1. Identify the learning task

2. Upload the prompt into MagicSchool AI and select the grade level (table 3 demonstrates an example of The Zoo by Edward D Hoch).

3. Generate (reference table 3)

4. Copy and paste and edit format as needed

Table 3

Steps to Use the Text Leveler in MagicSchool AI 

MagicSchool AI – Text Leveler

Note. Screenshots were used with permission from MagicSchool AI.

Limitations of the text leveler:

• You are unable to edit specific wording on the newly created worksheet without reformatting it onto a separate document.

Positives of the text leveler:

• MagicSchool AI allows instant modification of reading level on a given worksheet.
• MagicSchool AI maintains the integrity of the original storyline when using a short story.
• It can save educators time.

Within the three tools presented, educators can meet the needs of more students without the increased need for time. At a minimum, MagicSchool AI provides a starting point for teachers regarding differentiation with minimum formatting and edits as needed. This tool is valuable for educators to eliminate the stress of creating multi-level materials and the time that comes with it. Remember as an educator to fact-check and proofread all materials used in your classroom especially when created by AI.

Responsible use of AI 

Future Research and Innovation 

With future research, I hope to see the addition of editing tools and formatting within MagicSchool AI. This would further support educators with time-saving manners within differentiation. Additionally, we may see new tools that support educators with differentiation similar to MagicSchool AI.

A quick Google search of “AI tools for teachers” reveals a list of tools to explore. I recommend that educators continue to explore AI tools as they emerge and share their findings with colleagues. When we create a community, we can learn, explore, and grow together.

Applications/ webpages that support saving teachers time include Brisk, Quizlet and Chat GPT.

Recommended Readings:

Open AI. (2023, August 31). Teaching with AI. https://openai.com/index/teaching-with-ai/

Khan, A. (2024, July 11). Magicschool walkthrough with the founder [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Wyed-ZYFoBac12P9&v=f_Q0I9zuksw&feature=youtu.be

Summary

Note. This video was produced by Rebecca Medeiros (2024) using the Invideo AI platform.

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to MagicSchool AI for allowing me to use screenshots of your webpage in my chapter.
• Thank you to my ETAD 873 classmates from the University of Saskatchewan for providing peer editing.
• Please note this chapter includes the use of AI. ChatGPT Open AI was used for minor refinement of language. Additionally, AI was used to create picture images and videos.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

Rebecca Medeiros https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8594-793X

Rebecca Medeiros holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She is currently working on the completion of her Masters of Education specializing in Educational Technology and Design. Her research interests include time-saving methods for educators and using AI in the classroom. She has worked as an educator in grades 6-9 for the past 8 years.

References

Alberta Education. (2009). Supporting English as a second language students: Promising ESL strategies in Alberta. https://education.alberta.ca/media/1477344/supporting-esl-students-promising-esl-strategies-in-alberta.pdf

Bruggink, M., Meijer, W., Goei, S. L., & Koot, H. M. (2014). Teachers’ perceptions of additional support needs of students in mainstream primary education. Learning and Individual Differences, 30, 163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2013.11.005

CUPE Alberta. (2023, September 14). Wages for educational assistants go down, drop below poverty line.   https://alberta.cupe.ca/2023/09/14/wages-for-educational-assistants-go-down-drop-below-poverty-line/

Ebeling, D. G. (2000). Adapting your teaching to any learning style. The Phi Delta Kappan, 82(3), 247–248. https://doi.org/10.1177/003172170008200316

Farber, B. A. (1984). Teacher burnout: Assumptions, myths, and issues. Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 86(2), 321–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146818408600207

Felder, R. M., & Brent, R. (2005). Understanding student differences. Journal of Engineering Education, 94(1), 57-72. https://www.proquest.com/docview/217960231?accountid=14739&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Floyd, C. (1954). Meeting children’s reading needs in the middle grades: A preliminary report. The Elementary School Journal, 55(2), 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1086/458653

Ideogram. (2024, September 28). https://ideogram.ai/t/explore

Khan, A. (2024, July 11). Magicschool walkthrough with the founder. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Wyed-ZYFoBac12P9&v=f_Q0I9zuksw&feature=youtu.be

Lisdiana, A., Hufad, A., Tarsidi, D., & Aprilia, I. D. (2019). Differentiated instruction: An alternative learning approach for all learners in inclusive setting. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Educational Sciences (ICES 2018). https://doi.org/10.2991/ices-18.2019.5

Magic School Inc. (2024). Magic School AI [AI tools for educators and schools] https://www.magicschool.ai/

OpenAI. (2023, August 31) Teaching with AI.  https://openai.com/index/teaching-with-ai/