I’ll never forget the absolute joy I felt the first time an administrator left me a positive post-it note on my desk after they observed a well-planned and executed lesson. I’ve also felt the frustration of a lesson that I’ve carefully planned for and prepped just not hitting the mark. The more you teach, the more you recognize the importance of getting feedback on not just the great lessons, but the challenging ones too–it’s how we grow. 

Most of us are well into the second month of school and have likely had growth conversations with our instructional leader; with promises that they will observe us as much as possible. We also recognize that these leaders are incredibly busy–so they might not always have the chance to catch that lesson you’re hoping to receive feedback on.

Fortunately, AI has also changed the game in how we can self-assess, reflect, and set goals as teachers. AI-powered feedback tools can sometimes feel less personal, which can allow us to be more open to feedback. This is similar to how many teachers have noticed that students are more open to feedback from AI on their work. 

It’s important to note that while AI tools can provide valuable insights, they do not replace the crucial relationships we build with our instructional coaches and mentors. These human connections offer support and understanding that AI can’t replicate. However, AI can serve as a complementary tool, enhancing our self-reflection process and providing additional perspective. 

As Dylan Wiliam, a leading figure in formative assessment and teacher professional development, observed, “Teachers don’t need to be told what to do. They need to be given time to reflect on their practice and support in implementing changes.” This perspective aligns perfectly with the potential of AI in teacher growth. In the following section, I’m going to introduce several AI-powered tools that can revolutionize how we self-assess and grow as teachers. These tools, when used in tandem with the support and guidance of your instructional leader, provide time and support for the reflection that Wiliam emphasizes. Together, these approaches offer a more comprehensive view of our teaching practice and allow us to identify areas for growth more efficiently. 

1. Teach FX: If you’re looking to analyze your talk time in comparison to student talk time, look no further. Teach FX offers a free trial for teachers. You can upload a recording of your class and Teach FX will analyze the percentage you are talking compared to your students. It will also share data on instructional practices that can increase student engagement, such as the use of open-ended questions during a lesson. 
2. GoReact: If you want feedback on a video from your classroom, you can record yourself teaching, and upload to GoReact and the AI assistant will provide feedback on areas such as pacing and engagement. It also provides metrics on talk time, filler words, and pacing as well.  Additionally, you can share the video with your instructional coach to review at a later time. There is a free trial available for teachers. 
3. EDTHENA AI Coach: This tool helps you analyze your practice, reflect on your goals, and create an action plan based on your goals. When you upload video, Edie, the virtual coach, will give you feedback on your teaching based on your personal goals. You can add comments tagged to different skills at different points of the lesson for further analysis. Based on the action plan you create, curated resources will be recommended. While there isn’t a free trial available for teachers, administrators can reach out to set up a demo. 
4. Sibme: Sibme offers video analysis with feedback on talk time, movement, questioning, and feedback practices. The AI assistant also gives feedback on other artifacts from your classroom such as student work and curriculum resources. Sibme offers a 14-day free trial for teachers. 
5. Honorable Mention-Parlay Ideas: While not specifically designed for teacher feedback, Parlay Ideas is an incredible tool if you are looking to improve your Socratic seminars. It gives individual student talk time metrics, as well as whole class metrics for both live and virtual Socratic seminars. By looking at how students are participating, we can learn a lot about our strategies for guiding class talks.

I may be biased, but I truly believe that teachers are the hardest-working people on the planet. In my experience, they are also the most committed to their growth as they know that it is directly correlated to the growth of their students. As you embark on your journey of professional growth this year, and continue to iterate based on the feedback you receive, consider using one of these tools to further expedite your growth. Remember, as Dylan Wiliam said, you need time to reflect and support to implement changes – these AI tools can help provide both, empowering you to take charge of your professional growth and amplify your effectiveness as an educator.