New School Year 2026: Best EdTech & AI Tools for Teachers
What’s new in educational technology for the 2026 school year? In this blog, we look at new AI tools, lesson planning platforms, games, multimedia activities and digital assessment. You’ll also find useful examples of tools, information about free and paid options, and simple ideas for using technology in the classroom.
A new school year always brings new plans, new students and new ideas. But in 2026, there is something else teachers need to keep up with: the rapidly changing digital world.
Every year, new digital tools, AI solutions and classroom technologies appear. Some promise to save teachers time, others aim to make lessons more interactive, personalised or engaging.
But with so many options available, an important question remains:
Which tools are actually worth using in the classroom?
The answer is not necessarily the newest or most advanced technology.
Technology Is a Tool, Not the Teacher
The most important thing to remember is that new technology does not automatically create better education.
A successful lesson still depends on the teacher, the students, and the way technology is used. The best digital tool is not necessarily the newest one. It is the one that helps students understand something better, participate more actively or develop a useful skill.
So, what should teachers know before starting the new school year?
1. Google Classroom App in Gemini
The first new development in 2026 is the Google Classroom app in Gemini.
The tool can use information from a teacher’s actual classes to help with everyday teaching tasks. For example, it can help educators work with class context, prepare assignments, and understand student progress.
This means teachers do not always have to start from an empty page. Instead, digital tools can work with the materials and information already used in their classroom.
The important change here is that AI is becoming more connected to the actual classroom context, rather than simply generating generic teaching materials.
Free or paid? FREE – Basic Gemini tools in Google Classroom are available for free through Google Workspace for Education. Some advanced features require a paid education plan or add-on.
2. NotebookLM: Turn Class Materials Into Learning Resources
One of the interesting tools for educators in 2026 is NotebookLM, which Google renamed Gemini Notebook in July 2026. It allows users to work with their own sources and turn educational materials into useful learning resources.
Teachers can use class materials to create:
- study guides;
- flashcards;
- quizzes;
- audio content;
- interactive learning materials.
Google is also introducing teacher-led NotebookLM experiences, allowing educators to use selected class materials and provide students with resources based on those materials.
This is particularly interesting because the teacher does not have to ask AI to create something from general knowledge. Instead, the tool can work with the specific materials students are already expected to learn.
Free or paid? FREE – NotebookLM offers a free version, while additional features and higher limits may be available through paid Google plans.
3. Vivedus Planner
Planning lessons can take a lot of time, especially when teachers need to think about curriculum requirements, different student abilities and learning goals.
Vivedus Planner is a newer AI-powered planning platform designed specifically for education. It combines curriculum alignment, pedagogy, professional standards and differentiation in one system.
Its tools can help teachers organise units and lessons, generate activities, plan for different learning levels and receive feedback on their teaching practice. The planner is designed to reduce teachers’ workload while helping them create more personalised lessons.
The bigger trend here is clear: AI is moving from simply generating lesson ideas to helping teachers organise the entire planning process.
Free or paid? PAID – Vivedus Planner is a paid platform primarily designed for schools. Teachers and schools can contact Vivedus to learn about available plans and pricing.
Game-Based Learning: From Quizzes to Learning Experiences
Learning through games continues to become more popular in schools.
Platforms such as Kahoot!, Quizizz and similar classroom tools allow teachers to turn revision into an interactive competition. Students can answer questions using their phones or computers while teachers receive instant results.
It is a simple way to make revision more active — and students usually appreciate a little competition!
But game-based learning is no longer only about creating a quiz with points and a leaderboard.
In 2026, teachers can use missions, challenges, branching scenarios, digital escape rooms and adaptive activities to make students part of the learning experience.
4. Game-Based Learning Tools to Explore
Teachers looking for something beyond the most familiar quiz platforms can also explore Gimkit, Blooket, Baamboozle, Wordwall and Genially.
Gimkit turns questions into interactive games where students earn virtual currency and make decisions during the activity. Blooket offers different game modes that can be used for revision and classroom competitions. Baamboozle is useful for simple team-based games that do not require every student to have their own device. Wordwall allows teachers to create different interactive activities from the same set of questions, while Genially can be used to create more complex experiences such as interactive challenges and digital escape rooms.
These tools show that game-based learning does not have to mean another multiple-choice quiz. Teachers can choose between quick revision games, team challenges, individual activities or complete interactive learning experiences depending on the lesson and learning goals.
Free or paid? FREE – Many game-based learning platforms offer free versions for basic classroom use. Premium plans may include advanced question types, reports, AI features or additional classroom options.
5. Multimedia Storytelling: More Than Just a Presentation
Multimedia storytelling is not a new idea. Many teachers have already used presentations, videos, images and audio in their lessons.
So what is different in 2026?
Today, students can become creators of interactive stories, rather than simply consumers of digital content.
Instead of asking students to prepare a traditional presentation about a book, teachers can ask them to create a digital story with images, narration, video and interactive elements.
A history class could create an interactive timeline. A literature class could build a visual journey through a novel. A geography class could create a digital story following a journey through different countries.
But there is another simple way to make multimedia projects more interesting: let students choose the tools they already know and enjoy using.
Before starting a project, teachers can ask students: “What apps or tools do you usually use to create videos, edit photos or make content?” Students may suggest tools such as CapCut, Canva, Instagram, TikTok, Adobe Express or other apps they already use.
Instead of requiring everyone to use the same platform, teachers can give students a clear learning goal and let them decide how they want to present their ideas. One student might create a short video in CapCut, another might make an interactive presentation in Canva, while another might create a visual story using a different tool.
This can make projects feel more natural and relevant to students because they are using tools they already understand and enjoy.
Students can also combine text, images, audio, video, animation and AI-supported creative tools to communicate what they have learned.
This approach turns multimedia from something teachers use to explain content into something students use to demonstrate understanding.
It also helps develop creativity, communication and digital literacy — while giving students more choice and ownership over their work.
Free or paid? FREE. Many popular multimedia tools offer free versions that are enough for basic classroom projects. For example, Canva, CapCut and Adobe Express all have free options, while some premium templates, AI features, effects, storage or advanced editing tools require a subscription.
6. Smarter Digital Assessment
Digital assessment tools are making it easier for teachers to check students’ knowledge.
Online quizzes and forms can automatically collect answers and show results, helping teachers quickly understand which topics students have mastered and which ones need more attention.
But digital assessment in 2026 is moving beyond simply replacing a paper test with an online quiz.
Formative allows teachers to see students’ answers in real time and give feedback while the lesson is still happening.
Brisk Teaching can help teachers create assessments from existing teaching materials and adapt tasks for different levels.
MagicSchool can generate quizzes, rubrics and other assessment materials with AI, helping teachers prepare different types of tasks more quickly.
Teachers can also use Gemini to create several versions of the same questions, change their difficulty level or suggest questions based on a specific topic.
The real value is not simply faster grading. It is using assessment information to understand what students need to learn next.
Free or paid? FREE – Formative, Brisk Teaching, MagicSchool and Gemini offer free access or free features, although some advanced AI tools and higher usage limits require paid plans.
7. Digital Collaboration
Students can now work together even when they are not sitting next to each other.
Cloud-based documents, digital whiteboards and collaboration platforms allow students to create presentations, write projects and share ideas together.
Some useful tools for digital collaboration include Google Docs, Google Slides, Microsoft Teams, Padlet, Miro and FigJam. They offer different ways for students to work together — from writing a document or preparing a presentation to brainstorming ideas on a shared digital board.
Google Docs and Google Slides are especially useful for group projects because several students can work on the same file at the same time. Basic versions are free with a Google account, while schools can also use Google Workspace for Education with additional features.
Microsoft Teams combines communication, file sharing, meetings and collaborative work in one platform. A free version is available, while schools and universities can have access to additional features through Microsoft 365 Education plans.
Padlet works like a digital wall where students can post text, images, videos, links and other materials. It is useful for brainstorming, collecting ideas and presenting group work. Padlet offers limited free use, while creating more boards and accessing additional features requires a paid plan.
Miro and FigJam are digital whiteboards that allow students to brainstorm, organise ideas, create diagrams and work on projects together. Both offer free plans with limitations, while more advanced features are available through paid plans.
These tools are especially useful for group projects and international activities, including Erasmus+ projects and virtual exchanges. Students can collaborate with classmates or partner schools in other countries without being physically in the same classroom.
Digital collaboration also gives students the opportunity to practise skills that are increasingly important outside the classroom: communication, teamwork, organisation and sharing responsibility.
Free or paid? FREE – There are good free options for most basic classroom activities. Google Docs and Google Slides can be used for free, while Microsoft Teams, Padlet, Miro and FigJam offer free plans with certain limitations. Schools may also have access to paid education plans through their institution, so it is worth checking what tools are already available before paying for a subscription.
Free or Paid? Start Smart!
Stay Safe and Protect Student Data
When using digital and AI tools, teachers should also think about safety. Avoid entering students’ full names, personal information, photos or other sensitive data into AI tools unless the platform is approved by the school. When possible, use initials or anonymous examples instead.
Teachers should also check AI-generated information before sharing it with students. AI can make mistakes, create outdated information or present something that sounds correct but is not. Digital tools should support the teacher’s judgement, not replace it.
Before using a new platform, it is also worth checking its privacy policy and what happens to the information students provide. A useful rule is simple: if you would not put the information on a public noticeboard, do not put it into an AI tool.
Tools Worth Exploring in 2026
Teachers do not have to discover everything by themselves. There are already useful collections that bring together digital tools for education.
Some resources worth exploring include:
- Wonder Tools – Top Teaching Tools — a collection of digital tools for different teaching needs. Read the list
- Meeyra – Best Teaching Tools — an overview of teaching tools and their possible classroom uses. Explore the tools
- Cult of Pedagogy – 6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2026 — a selection of newer educational technology tools and ideas. Read the article
These resources can help teachers discover alternatives, compare tools and find new ideas before introducing something new into the classroom.
Ready for 2026?
A new school year is a good opportunity to try something different.
You don’t need to completely change the way you teach.
Start small.
Try an interactive challenge instead of a traditional revision activity. Ask students to create a multimedia story instead of a standard presentation. Use AI to help prepare differentiated materials. Try a new assessment tool and see what it tells you about your students.
The most successful technology integration is not about using the most tools.
It is about using the right tool for the right learning goal.
Does all of this feel a little overwhelming? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Explore our AI course for teachers, learn with the support of experienced educators, and connect with teachers and colleagues from all over the world who are exploring new approaches to education together.
New school year. New tools. New ideas. New possibilities.
Technology is changing education — and teachers have the opportunity to decide how to use it.
