Magic School AI is a powerful platform designed to revolutionize the teaching experience for educators. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of getting started, navigating the platform, and understanding its tools. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to harnessing the power of AI to enhance your teaching and streamline your workflow.

Signing Up for Magic School AI

Before you can start using Magic School AI, you'll need to create an account. The process is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing you to quickly access the platform's features. Follow these steps to sign up and begin your journey with Magic School AI.

Visit the Magic School AI website at app.magicschool.ai.
Click on the "Create an Account" link.
Sign up using your SDCCD Microsoft account for quick access.
Follow the prompts to complete your profile and verify your educator status.

Video Guide

Time
1 min 7 secs

In this video, I guide you through the simple process of signing up for a Magicschool.ai account as an educator. By visiting app.magicschool.ai and using your Microsoft account, you can quickly access the platform's dashboard to explore its features. No action is requested from you in this video.

With your account set up, you're ready to explore the wealth of tools and features Magic School AI has to offer.

Navigating the Platform

Once logged in, you'll be greeted by a user-friendly dashboard designed to make your Magic School AI experience intuitive and efficient. Understanding the layout and features of this dashboard is crucial for maximizing your use of the platform. Let's explore the key elements of the Magic School AI interface.

Dashboard Overview

The main screen of Magic School AI displays a variety of AI tools categorized for easy access. This layout allows you to quickly find the tools you need for specific tasks.

Key Navigation Features

Search Bar: Located at the top left of the screen, use this to quickly find specific tools by name or function.
Category Buttons: Across the top of the dashboard, you'll find buttons like "Planning," "Student Support," and "Communication." Click these to filter tools by category.
Favorites Bar: As you use the platform, you can 'favorite' tools by clicking the star icon. These will appear in your Favorites Bar for quick access in future sessions.
Raina Chatbot: On the right side of the screen, you'll find Raina, your AI instructional coach. Raina can answer questions and provide guidance throughout your Magic School AI experience.

Video Guide

Time
2 min 33 secs

This video is a tutorial on the features of the MagicSchool AI educational platform.1 The video covers how to search for tools, access tools by category, and add frequently used tools to the favorites bar.1 Lastly, the video introduces the rubric generator, which is one of the platform's most popular tools

Familiarizing yourself with these navigation features will help you move efficiently through the platform and access the tools you need when you need them.

Understanding the Tools

Magic School AI offers a diverse array of over 60 tools, each designed to assist with specific teaching tasks. To make the most of these tools, it's important to understand how they function and how to customize them for your needs. Let's explore the general structure and use of Magic School AI tools.

Tool Interface Structure

Input Fields: Each tool has specific fields for information such as grade level, subject, learning objectives, or assignment details.
Generate Button: After filling in the necessary information, click this button to create the AI-powered output.
Exemplar Button: Many tools feature this button, which provides sample inputs and outputs to help you understand how to use the tool effectively.
Customization Options: After generating content, you can usually edit or refine it to better suit your specific needs.

Video Guide

Time
5 min 07 secs

This video tutorial covers how to use the MagicSchool AI platform’s rubric generator, guiding users to input details like grade level, standards, and assignments to create custom rubrics. It also showcases the Raina chatbot, which supports diverse learners by suggesting differentiation strategies, such as accommodations for students reading below grade level.

Utilizing Raina for Assistance

Within each tool, Raina, your AI assistant, is available to provide prompts, answer questions, and offer guidance on how to get the most out of the tool. Don't hesitate to ask Raina for help if you're unsure about any aspect of a tool's functionality.

By taking the time to explore and understand these tools, you'll be able to leverage Magic School AI to its full potential, enhancing your teaching practice and saving valuable time.

Video Guide

Time
2 min 28 secs

This video is a tutorial on how to use the MagicSchool AI chatbot named Raina. Raina can be used independently of the other MagicSchool AI tools to provide credible information on a variety of educational topics and suggest ways to further explore those topics. Raina can also help users find online resources related to their chosen topic.

Free Plan: Features and Limitations

Magic School AI offers a robust free plan that allows educators to explore and benefit from many of its features. Understanding what's included in the free plan and its limitations will help you decide if it meets your needs or if you should consider upgrading to a paid plan. Let's examine the key aspects of the free plan.

Features of the Free Plan

Access to 60+ AI Tools: Use a wide range of tools for lesson planning, assessment creation, differentiation, communication, and more.
Basic Raina Functionality: Utilize Raina for translation features and basic guidance.
Chrome Extension: Access Magic School AI tools while working in other applications.
AI Literacy Tools for Students: Access to "Magic Student," a platform designed to introduce students to AI concepts.
AI Image Generation: Create and edit images using AI through Adobe Express integration.
Limited Output History: View your last 5 AI-generated outputs.
Basic Support: Access the Magic School AI Facebook group for community support.

Limitations of the Free Plan

Restricted Tool Functionality: Some advanced features within tools may be unavailable.
No Export Feature: You can copy generated content but can't directly export to platforms like Google Classroom or Microsoft Office.
Limited Raina Capabilities: Advanced functionalities of Raina are only available in paid versions.
No Integration: The free plan doesn't offer integration with Microsoft, Google, or Learning Management Systems.
Limited Search Functionality: The search bar's 'Actions' feature is limited to 'translate' in the free version.

By understanding these features and limitations, you can make an informed decision about whether the free plan meets your needs or if upgrading to a paid plan would be beneficial for your teaching practice.

Conclusion

Getting started with Magic School AI is an exciting step towards enhancing your teaching practice with the power of AI. By following this guide, you've learned how to sign up, navigate the platform, understand its tools, and recognize the capabilities of the free plan. Remember, the key to mastering Magic School AI is exploration and experimentation. Don't hesitate to try different tools and features to discover how they can best support your unique teaching style and goals. As you become more comfortable with the platform, you may find that it transforms not only how you prepare and deliver your lessons but also how your students engage with learning. Embrace this journey into AI-enhanced education, and watch as it opens up new possibilities for you and your students.