Webinar Recap: Ignite Student Imagination with Book Creator x SchoolAI

In our latest webinar, we explored how integrating AI in the classroom can unlock student creativity and deeper learning. We had the pleasure of hosting Holly Clark, an educator and author of The AI Infused Classroom, and Janelle from SchoolAI, who provided amazing insights on how AI can transform learning experiences.

Rethinking AI as a thought partner

Holly opened with a key point—AI isn’t here to replace critical thinking but to support it. She shared her personal experience about needing AI as a "thought partner" during a recent workshop. She realized that many people, like those in her workshop, still hesitate to embrace AI for fear it will diminish authentic thought. But Holly argued that AI actually enhances creativity, especially for neurodiverse learners like herself, by helping them brainstorm, organize ideas, and improve their work.

Holly’s message was clear: AI is a tool that encourages deeper thinking, reflection, and creativity. In the classroom, AI can help students as they work through assignments by offering real-time feedback and suggestions, just like a dedicated learning partner.

App Smashing Book Creator with SchoolAI

The heart of the webinar focused on how educators can AppSmash Book Creator with SchoolAI for enhanced student engagement. Holly demonstrated how students could use AI to assist them in creating poetry, reflecting on their work, and even turning their poems into songs using tools like Book Creator and Sunno.

For example, a student working on a poem about Taylor Swift could use SchoolAI as a thought partner to help generate ideas and structure their poem. Then, through Book Creator, they could document their creative process and reflect on how AI assisted them in the task. Holly explained how this not only helps students with creative writing but also provides an opportunity for deeper reflection on how they interact with AI.

The integration of AI-generated images within Book Creator was another standout feature. Using tools like Canva’s text-to-image integration, students can bring their creations to life visually.

Why AI matters in today’s classrooms

Holly emphasized that AI literacy is crucial for preparing students for a future where AI will be integrated into almost every industry. She discussed how AI is evolving rapidly, and by the time today’s kindergarteners graduate, AI will be far more advanced. That’s why it’s essential to introduce AI in classrooms in safe and practical ways.

Holly also shared insights into using SchoolAI as a classroom tool, especially its built-in safety measures, like teacher-controlled prompts and live feedback, ensuring AI interactions are appropriate for student use.

One of the major highlights of the webinar was a demonstration of how SchoolAI, like Book Creator is accessible to younger students.  Holly explained how the platform is designed to be secure and safe, with no data collection from students. Moreover, it offers support for multiple languages, including Spanish, which makes it a valuable tool for diverse classrooms.

Bringing AI and reflection together

We concluded the webinar by emphasizing the need for educators to see AI not just as a tool but as a partner in fostering deeper learning. Book Creator and SchoolAI make this possible by allowing students to document their learning journey, express creativity, and reflect using technology. For example, I demonstrated how the SchoolAI exit ticket feature can enrich students' STEM notebooks by encouraging thoughtful reflection.

Join the conversation!

We want to hear from you! How would you AppSmash SchoolAI and Book Creator in your classroom? Share your creative ideas or experiences in the comments below and join the conversation on how AI can elevate student learning!