The University of Washington has launched “Colleague,” a free AI tool designed to assist K-12 teachers in creating more efficient and effective lesson plans. This innovative platform aims to alleviate the workload of educators by utilizing chatbots and AI to generate and customize lesson plans that align with local standards.

A screenshot of the Colleague, a platform using AI and chatbots to help teachers create lessons plans that use research-based teaching approaches and vetted materials. / Colleague

Addressing the Needs of Educators

Teachers often spend over 10 hours a week preparing lesson plans, a time-consuming task that detracts from direct student engagement. The University of Washington’s team, led by Min Sun, Director of Artificial Intelligence for Education, developed Colleague to help teachers streamline this process. The tool was created with extensive input from educators, ensuring it meets their specific needs.

Colleague helps teachers create images for the lessons, such as a loaf of garlic bread sliced to represent four equal pieces. / Colleague

Features of Colleague

Colleague offers several features aimed at enhancing teaching efficiency:

  • Interactive Chatbots: These provide prompts for lesson plan creation and customization.
  • Tutorial Videos: Step-by-step guides to help teachers navigate the platform.
  • Resource Repository: A curated collection of educational materials that are inclusive and accurate.
  • Generative AI Visual Aids: Tools to create visual aids quickly using AI prompts.

Teachers can select their grade, subject, and state to ensure their lesson plans are compliant with local educational standards. The platform currently includes additional resources for math and plans to expand to other subjects like computer science.

Impact and Reception

Educators like Tim Chalberg, a math specialist in Tacoma Public Schools, have praised Colleague for making best practices in modern math teaching more accessible and for its support in multilingual instruction. Chalberg noted that what used to take 15 minutes can now be accomplished in a minute, thanks to Colleague’s AI capabilities.

The tool also features an AI-driven evaluation system, assessing lesson plans on parameters such as inclusivity, student participation, and overall quality, providing specific improvement suggestions through its chat function.

Broader Educational Context

Following the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022, there has been a surge in developing AI tools for education. Seattle Public Schools recently adopted AI software from MagicSchool AI, and Microsoft announced free access to its AI cloud infrastructure for Khan Academy’s Khanmigo for Teachers, which also supports lesson plan creation.

While the integration of AI in classrooms initially raised concerns about potential misuse for cheating, recent research suggests these fears may be unfounded. Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has issued guidelines to help schools navigate AI use, and Senator Maria Cantwell has introduced legislation to address AI integration in education.

Future Prospects

Sun emphasized the potential social value of AI in education, highlighting plans to expand Colleague’s resources to other STEM subjects. The project, initially funded by a seed grant from the UW and the National Science Foundation, aims to remain free, seeking future support from public and private foundations.

As I see it, Colleague represents a significant advancement in educational technology, offering practical solutions to reduce teachers’ administrative burdens and enhance their instructional quality. The success of this tool will likely hinge on widespread adoption and the development of comprehensive policies guiding AI use in schools.

In conclusion, Colleague has the potential to revolutionize lesson planning by leveraging AI to create efficient, high-quality educational experiences, positioning it as a valuable asset for teachers across the United States.