AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future

by Matt Miller

Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It’s bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. • It translates AI through a teacher lens. • It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. • It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Development, Technology, Teaching

132 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2023

About the author

Matt Miller is the author of four books. He has spent more than a decade teaching technology-infused lessons in public schools. As an author, blogger and education speaker, he encourages teachers to free their teaching and revolutionize their classrooms with mindset, techniques and curriculum to serve today's learners. With thousands of subscribers and visitors from more than 100 countries, Matt's blog, DitchThatTextbook.com, is a well-respected source of ideas and insights about educational technology and creative teaching.

Reviews

[Hanin Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an average for me, considering I already have a decent idea about the concept of artificial intelligence and its uses in education. It could serve as an introduction or preface for new or experienced teachers, outlining its applications in this field. There are many good quotes that could illuminate the field of education (found in the Kindle highlights). It's a simple, light read that I recommend for those looking to expand their knowledge and gain insights into this emerging field in education.

[Moh. Nasiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

فرصت های هوش مصنوعی برای معلمان
AI isn’t just a threat to education – it’s also a huge opportunity.
Instead of making students lazy or replacing teachers, we can use AI to help push education beyond rote memorization toward critical thinking and deeper understanding.
AI can help students engage in debate, carry out historical role-play, and get instant feedback and assistance. Meanwhile, teachers can use AI to handle routine tasks like grading and help with lesson prep. The goal isn't replacing human intelligence but extending it.
As AI handles more routine work, human connection will only become more valuable. The ability to collaborate, empathize, communicate clearly, and build relationships – these distinctly human skills may become the most precious ones students can learn.

*credit: blinkist.com

[Nicole Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very succinct book all about AI and it’s implications on education. Nothing too revolutionary, most of which is already out there and being talked about repeatedly, but was written for educators to understand, and be able to implement actions straight away.

Particularly liked the chapter “30 ways AI can support teaching and learning”, including ideas to; Add ai to the think pair share thinking routine - think pair chatgpt pair share, Anticipate the response you’d expect from ai, Provide a unique perspective with ai - find out how someone from history might think or respond to a question and Ask ai for definitions on a variety of levels.

“Our students need teachers who are willing to consider how the future will differ from ours and bravely explore this new frontier with them.” - There is still so much unknown around AI at the moment, but as long as we are willing to learn together, that’s all anyone can expect.

[Jung]

Matt Miller’s "AI for Educators" offers a timely and practical exploration into how artificial intelligence is transforming education. Rather than framing AI as an adversary to academic integrity or a disruptor of tradition, Miller suggests it can serve as a catalyst to reimagine teaching and learning. Educators are currently grappling with students using tools like ChatGPT to complete assignments, but Miller proposes a deeper question: What if the emergence of AI allows education to evolve in ways that deepen student engagement and understanding? He believes the challenge AI presents can also be its greatest opportunity.

Traditional assessments such as essays and take-home assignments are increasingly vulnerable to AI assistance. In response, educators can redesign their evaluation strategies to emphasize spontaneous, authentic student thinking. Verbal assessments, for instance, require students to explain concepts in real time, showcasing depth of understanding through their reasoning process. Similarly, monitored in-class work—where students solve problems in front of the teacher—makes it easier to distinguish genuine comprehension from regurgitated information. Creative projects, such as student-produced podcasts or visual timelines, can also reveal critical thinking in ways that AI-generated text cannot replicate.

Group discussions and debates offer additional layers of depth, pushing students to verbalize and defend their perspectives while responding to peers. This real-time intellectual engagement demonstrates learning that’s impossible to fake. Rather than resisting AI, educators can integrate it to support differentiation. For instance, AI can generate multiple versions of a reading text, each tailored to a student’s comprehension level. It can also offer real-time writing feedback on clarity and organization, helping students iterate their work faster and more independently, while freeing teachers to focus on guiding deeper analysis.

AI’s role in reducing teacher workload is also a recurring theme. Tasks that traditionally consume hours—grading, quiz creation, and content organization—can be partially offloaded to AI. This gives teachers more time to focus on relationship-building and personalized instruction. Miller stresses that this shift doesn’t diminish the role of educators. On the contrary, it allows them to invest more energy where it matters most—mentorship, inspiration, and emotional support.

Throughout the book, Miller places AI within a historical context of technological shifts in education. When calculators became widely available, many feared students would lose basic math skills. But over time, educators adapted, using calculators to support—not replace—learning. The same happened with internet search engines. Rather than fearing students would become less knowledgeable, teaching evolved to emphasize digital literacy and information evaluation. Chess provides a compelling analogy: instead of destroying the game, AI engines have helped players improve by exposing them to new strategies. Miller believes education is at a similar crossroads now.

AI isn’t just for planning and grading—it can directly enhance instruction. Teachers can use AI to brainstorm lesson ideas, generate discussion prompts, or quickly provide supplemental materials during a class. Students can also consult AI while preparing responses, integrating it into Think-Pair-Share exercises to deepen their conversations. After students discuss in pairs, they can use AI to challenge their ideas, refine them, and then share back with the class. This cycle encourages critical thinking and model prompt engineering skills that will be vital in the future.

One of the book’s most compelling insights involves using AI as an interactive learning partner. Students can debate issues with AI at a level suited to their understanding. This removes the social pressure of peer debates and allows students to test ideas more freely. Switching sides during a debate helps build empathy and see the complexity behind arguments. In history classes, AI roleplay can transform how students experience the past. Rather than simply reading about historical figures, students can simulate conversations with them—asking questions, hearing alternative viewpoints, and getting immersed in the context of the time.

This extends to cultural understanding too. Students can converse with simulated voices from different backgrounds and eras, helping them appreciate the diversity of human experience. By engaging AI in this way, students become active participants in learning, rather than passive recipients. These conversations stimulate curiosity, provoke questions, and develop the analytical skills needed to examine sources and claims—skills vital for informed citizenship.

Behind the scenes, AI continues to lighten the administrative load. Teachers can use it to generate quizzes, discussion prompts, unit plans, and differentiated materials. Feedback, in particular, becomes more dynamic. Instead of waiting days for redlined essays, students can receive immediate suggestions on clarity and structure. This allows for multiple drafts and iterations, with AI handling the surface-level issues while teachers address deeper conceptual development. Students benefit from richer feedback loops, and teachers are no longer burdened by repetitive tasks.

Miller emphasizes that AI's most significant value lies not in replacing teachers, but in giving them more time to do what matters most. The human connection remains irreplaceable. Teachers are not just content providers; they are mentors, motivators, and emotional anchors. AI can’t replace a trusted adult who listens, adapts, and supports students’ individual needs. As more technical tasks are automated, teachers can invest further in fostering relationships, curiosity, and self-efficacy.

Looking to the future, Miller acknowledges the uncertainty of the evolving job market. For years, coding was touted as a must-have skill. Now, even beginner programming is being automated by AI. Rather than prepare students for specific careers that may not exist in a decade, education should focus on adaptability. That includes teaching students how to work alongside AI. Prompt engineering—the skill of asking AI the right questions—is already a core literacy. Students must learn to refine queries, contextualize requests, and assess the quality of AI-generated information.

Critical evaluation is also key. AI tools can produce plausible but inaccurate information. Students need to develop healthy skepticism—cross-checking claims, identifying misleading content, and understanding the limits of these systems. The same analytical habits used for evaluating news or social media must now extend to AI outputs. Teaching students to be mindful and critical consumers of digital content prepares them for a future where AI is deeply embedded in daily life.

Ultimately, "AI for Educators" is a hopeful, forward-looking book. It recognizes the disruption AI brings but sees it as a lever to lift education into its next phase. Miller proposes that we move away from obsolete methods rooted in compliance and regurgitation. Instead, with AI as an ally, we can reorient classrooms toward inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. Students will not only learn information but learn how to engage with it—debate it, apply it, and understand it from diverse perspectives.

The future isn’t about students mastering static content but becoming flexible thinkers who can adapt, question, and create in partnership with advanced tools. In this vision, teachers remain central—not as gatekeepers of knowledge, but as guides helping students navigate complexity with empathy, critical thought, and curiosity. AI may change what we teach and how we teach, but it will never replace why we teach. The goal remains the same: to nurture minds capable of both reflection and innovation.

[Ashley Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for educators!

This is a MUST READ for educators! Matt (as a former educator) speaks our language and shares a topic that is both exciting and scary! He presents AI and its educational potential in ways that are easy to understand. And he shares ideas to start using AI immediately for students and with students.

[Nick Walge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool concepts!

Will definitely help me to use AI effectively in my classroom. Quick read, useful and easily applicable techniques.

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you gauge students’ comprehension and critical thinking when AI can produce a convincing essay in seconds? 

The chapter “30 ways AI can support teaching” addresses this question (and was really the only valuable chapter for me). Here are four suggested ways:

1. Verbal assessments are one way of cutting through the AI noise. A student stands up and explains how photosynthesis works, for example, without notes or preparation. Their pauses, connections, and even struggles reveal genuine understanding in ways a polished AI-written paragraph never could. These impromptu explanations expose the difference between superficial knowledge and deep comprehension.

2. Monitored in-class work offers another solution. When students solve problems or write responses while teachers observe, it becomes clear who understands the material and who doesn’t. A student might work through a math problem in real-time, showing their reasoning at each step, and demonstrating a mastery that can’t be faked.

3. Creative demonstrations can transform assessment into something more engaging. Instead of writing about the American Civil War, students might create a podcast episode exploring perspectives from different historical figures, or develop a visual timeline highlighting cause-and-effect relationships. Projects like these reveal not just what students know, but how they think about what they know. 

4. Group discussions build on this approach. When students debate literary themes or brainstorm together to solve problems, they’re forced to articulate their understanding, respond to challenges, and refine their thinking on the spot. A student who can defend their analysis of Macbeth against peers’ questions understands Shakespeare far better than one who can prompt AI to write an essay about it.  

[Susan A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to incorporate AI into your classroom this year, start with this book. Fantastic reasoning, counter arguments, strategies, and advice.


I listened to this book, but also annotated the book as I listened. This book was read by a virtual assistant and I could tell. It wouldn’t have been my choice to do this, but it is fitting for this book. I will say that if more authors start doing this, I will stop listening to books.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 I didn't learn anything new, but I could see this being a helpful introduction for someone totally unfamiliar with the topic.

[Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for work. Gave me a handful of useful ideas, but it gave me more fear and frustration than anything!

[Justin Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as educational practices books go, this wasn't too bad. I liked Miller's "voice" in this. He seems to have a very frank and honest approach to the limitations and realities of education and teachers' time while being just shy of too optimistic.
"It [AI] is unavoidable whether I'm excited or not."(78) How true, and how true of so many aspects of education. Miller builds the argument that AI is here and will only be growing and getting more integrated into the world. As educators, fighting it will be futile and, arguably, detrimental to preparing students for the future and even to ourselves and the changing demands of our field. He lightly touches upon lots of concepts, including ethics, plagiarism, academic goals, and responsibility, all around AI. Not much goes into depth; this book remains an introduction or "thought sparker" as I think of this style of education book. Although, he does outline 30 immediate applications of AI for both the student and teacher end.
HE calls out resistance to change while also praising a need to approach anything new with thought and caution. Overall, Miller presents a very balanced, albeit exceptionally light, look at the growing AI presence.
One last side note that I would love to investigate further....a question posited here...is it actually cheating or plagiarism if a student feeds a prompt or series of prompts into AI and uses the results or a smash-up of them as their work? Legally, AI-generated work is original, but NOT intellectual material. So, it's not owned or attributed to any creator per se. This was just two paragraphs in the book, but I'd love to read more on these fine points that may become sticky as districts develop their own AI guidelines.

[SophieJaneK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new here. I was disappointed that it doesn't seem to enlighten me on how students can really learn from AI or teachers to that matter. Apart from saving time, which we know it does, the suggestions for its use do not, to my mind, simulate the joy and benefits derived from the traditional process of researching, questioning, synthesising information and learning for the sake of satisfying an enquiring mind but maybe I have missed the point.

That said, AI has a place, and as the book shows, it can be used to make lessons fun and engaging and to develop different skills. It also very much depends on the age group and I think this book would be more useful for teachers teaching teenagers in schools rather than students in a FE or HE setting. There are definitely some useful suggestions for teachers new to AI who might not be familiar with how it works in education and how they can begin to integrate it into teaching preparation and in classroom practice.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former teacher and current school librarian, I am always looking for ways to keep the current technologies IN the classroom, instead of trying to fight it. This book provides necessary background knowledge, models ethical use of AI to generate text for publication, and gives 30 ideas for teachers on how to utilize AI effectively in their classrooms and to teach students to use it responsibly to support their inquiries, not as a replacement for real learning. I found a lot of these suggestions and ideas to be very practical, and I plan to use many of them in my own lesson planning. If you’re an educator (or a parent or work with kids in any capacity) and are interested in learning more about how to work with AI to make your job easier and to create more unique opportunities to help students learn, I recommend reading this.

[Wouter · Rating 2 out of 5]

"We expect more from technology and less from each other," says Miller in his book. However, for me, he expects more from AI than from our students.

Again, this is your typical AI prompt book. Though some critical questions are raised, they are not answered or even explored.

Miller is a GenAI enthusiast who praises tech and shuns cognitive science. Schools also don't look 'through future glasses' but remain in the status-quo of the present. He forgets that his future glasses are framed in the present.

Is this book any helpful? If you haven't read anything about AI in education, it could be helpful, but some tips should be avoided. Asking AI personal advice on your mental health is an obvious no-go. But there are some useful ideas, though bear in mind that most AI services have age restrictions.

[Jenn Zanoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working in Ed Tech, I’ve read many of the articles and listened to so many of the podcasts available to understand AI and the scope of this technology. What I was yearning for were concrete ideas on how to integrate AI in the classroom, tangible resources to help me guide teachers and students navigating this shift. This book has exactly what I look for!

While I don’t feel like I had any big epiphanies or learned a whole lot, I have a host of ideas to share with those I support now. It also confirmed what I had been sharing in various conversations- good teaching is good teaching, the use of AI, done well, will allow us to do bigger and more creative thinking, and we’ve faced change before.

Ditch that textbook never lets me down with thoughtful and easy to implement project ideas.

[Dana Fontaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book dumbed down AI too much. I think this book barely scratches the surface. It is more of a promotional pamphlet rather than a book. There are several times where Matt Miller references templates on his "Ditch That Textbook" site, which is fine, but this book was only 125 pages and a lot of those were taken up by things that people reading this book should already know coming into it. I was really hoping to learn some things, or learn some perspective, but I garnered neither thing that I was looking for. I was rather disappointed with this book. He does say that by the time of print this book would already be outdated. This is true, however, you can still write a book that will come out and discuss the future of AI.

[Lenore Rotanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a practical guide for educators on integrating AI into teaching, particularly in middle and high school settings. Chapter 4, which outlines 30 ways AI can support learning, was especially insightful. The charts and graphs provided are valuable, and I plan to create my own for use as a librarian. I also appreciated the discussion on rethinking concepts like "plagiarism" and "cheating" in the context of AI. The key takeaway is that AI is here to stay, and we must teach students how to use it to enhance critical thinking as they prepare for a rapidly evolving workforce. This book is an essential resource for any teacher looking to save time and become more effective in the classroom..

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is a great beginners guide to AI in the classroom. I especially appreciated the optimism and honesty of the author. Miller validates many of the fears educators have when it comes to generative AI, and poses some solutions to help alleviate these fears. He is also very honest that he does not have all the answers, and no one does. Instead of running from, or ignoring, this emerging technology, our job is to teach students how to use it appropriately and responsibly. I think this book only scratched the surface of the possibilities this type of technology can bring into the world of education, and the discussions that can and need to occur as it grows in sophistication and accessibility.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller's approach to teaching has always helped me to be braver about being innovative, since he always has great suggestions. This book was invaluable in helping me reshape my mindset about AI in the classroom. It addresses FAQs in an honest, but supportive way. There are also SO many ideas for how to utilize AI safely and effectively in the classroom. The way that he provides disclosures in each chapter to be transparent about when and how much he used AI in the writing of the book was particularly valuable to me. I think establishing this type of transparency will be important in my classroom, both with my own use of AI, as well as student usage.

[Olivia Hodson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly positive outlook of the use of AI in classrooms. Granted, the author does admit that AI is still developing and will always be, and he states how much of each chapter was generated by AI. The biggest takeaway from this book for me would be that just like the introduction of the calculator, the use of AI in classrooms will become more integrated and accepted as time goes on.

I feel like this could have been an E-Book. Read this for a professional development and most teachers had the same complaints. We realized we cannot consistently have chatbots debate each other, much less constantly use AI to critique student's writing and pumping more carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

[Anna Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for work. I liked a lot of the practical ideas, but there were some parts that rubbed me the wrong way. (e.g. " ...introduces students to some of the strategies for crafting a written work without all of the taxing effort of doing the whole thing." UGH. And I didn't agree with his definitions of cheating and plaigarism. But, I liked the teacher mindset and some practical implementation ideas. I also thought it was hilarious that his comment about how since ChatGPT is the first iteration of an LLM chatbot, that it will likely become obsolete quickly. HAH! And this book is only 3 years old!

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect introduction to AI for teachers, with a focus on ChatGPT. While the book skims the basics and tantalizes teachers with many ideas of how AI will save them time, Miller acknowledges that with the speed of innovation, this will quickly become outdated. I appreciated Miller's tone and take---this is exciting, we are all learning, and it could be a real asset for educators, as opposed to the "it's cheating, it will ruin education, it's the end of the world" sentiment you hear from some. It will be a terrific tool to kick off some faculty discussion as we head back to school.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snapshot Indeed!

Matt did a very good job of writing a book with such a quick publication on a very quickly evolving topic. His transparency with the statement that this book is a snapshot of the moment he was writing is very much appreciated. I also appreciate the style of writing, because it is a quick read. I recommend the book to all educators because we must all have the basic knowledge of AI that Matt shares in the book, as well as thoughtfully, consider the questions and ideas that Matt raises for critical thinking.

[Sewveryblessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

AI = artificial intelligence and Miller explains the basics of AI which is helpful for teachers who may be unfamiliar with the educational technology systems. He includes basic ideas on how to effectively integrate AI in the learning environment. He also shares resources that guide teachers and students through the sticky mess of 'is it cheating' or 'is it research'. Most of the book was a cursory overview of AI, and I was looking for more specific ideas on how to use AI as a resource for my lesson planning and more.

[MarkGrabe Grabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

What are you looking for?

I have read at least one other book Miller has written and I picked this AI in education among the many that have appeared because I recognized the author. I was mildly disappointed, but no more so than with the other books of this type. I think it is just too early for anyone looking for much depth. The price was right, but unless you know absolutely nothing, you will find very similar content in blogs and on YouTube.

[Darice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I love that this book doesn't have all the answers and instead poses questions for us to consider as we try to figure out the role of AI in education. The book is well organized and provides examples of how to incorporate AI into classrooms and assignments. The graphics help tremendously, particularly the scale of student work with AI to work without AI.

I highly recommend this book if you are intrigued by AI in education!

[Herb Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great presentation of the history of AI

I say history because as I was reading the state of AI was constantly changing. As of this writing I have just installed my first desktop LLM. I’m sure it won’t be my last. Matt took a very reasoned approach and in a very short time addressed the issues with AI and give a plan for moving forward and 30 ideas to implement AI in our teaching today. Excellent job, bro. :o)

[Gregory Welsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this deserves more of a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Decent outlook in the fledgling days of AI for the field of education. Chapter 4 provides 30 ideas to use AI as an instructional aid which I think was the most beneficial part of the book, if you don’t want to read all of the book at least browse through that chapter.

While this book will probably be outdated in 3 years, it helped to get me to have an open mind with Artificial Intelligence in my classroom.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone born in the 50's and who began teaching in the 70's, it's hard to keep up with all the changes in education. When I received my first smart board in 2010, I was glad I had fifth graders to help me figure out how to make a pie graph with it. :)
This very succinct book all about AI is a very easy to understand with implications on education. It makes sense, and I feel like I'm better prepared to understand how to use this tool for students in the 2020's.

[Laura-Jane Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

AI… it’s the future, and it’s here now..

This book provides practical ways to use AI that support learning in creative ways. It demonstrates how it helps us and students save time so that we can focus on meaningful learning. And it incorporates countless activities that any subject area can use to facilitate their course immediately.

And world language teachers, get extra excited… the author was a world language teacher!