6 Surprising AI Tools for Math Teachers

If you teach math, you know the tightrope: make it meaningful (and maybe fun), meet a million learning levels, and somehow keep up with endless grading and prep. I've been a math teacher for a decade, and to be honest, I rolled my eyes when people said "Just use AI—it's a total game-changer." Sure, sure, I thought. It's all just hype and robots that don’t understand fractions, right?

But this year, a mix of curiosity (and sheer exhaustion) led me to start digging into the AI tools my colleagues whispered about in the staff room. Were there really any that would help beyond the usual worksheet generators?

The answer: YES—but not always the ones you'd expect. Here are six tools, some classic, some unexpected, that have refreshed my math classroom beyond just grading faster or churning out practice problems.

1. Sizzle – Instant, Accurate Step-by-Step Math Help

I used to dread answering 25 versions of “where did I go wrong here?” after every class. Sizzle isn’t just a fancy calculator—it’s a chat-style math coach. Students send in their question (yes, even photos of their messy notebook), and Sizzle walks them step-by-step through their problem, not just a generic example.

What surprised me most was using Sizzle as a whole-class modeling tool, live: we analyze the wrong answers together and discuss the AI's steps. Suddenly error analysis is a public, no-shame event—and my students catch their misconceptions faster than ever.

2. Kuraplan – Smarter Unit Outlines and Homework Variety

As someone who likes to build my own lessons, I wasn't sure an AI planner could help much. Kuraplan quietly wedged its way into my routines—which is why it's earned a spot on this list. Instead of taking over, I use it to sketch a unit outline: pacing, weekly objectives, and (the true gift) a buffet of sample homework or enrichment activities. For once, my “challenge” kids and my “just give me practice” group both have tailored options—without hours of extra planning. The best part? Kuraplan is just a starting point; I still get to tweak every detail, but now with much more energy left over.

3. Fliki – Turning Tricky Concepts into Visual Stories

Not every student sees equations in their head. I started using Fliki to turn word problems and abstract algebra lessons into short, animated explainer videos using my own instructions. Students hear and see the breakdown—which is a huge help for my ELLs or anyone struggling with comprehension. Even better: I’ll have students narrate their own explanation and use Fliki to animate it, turning revision into a creative project instead of another worksheet.

4. Gradescope – Effortless Grouping (and Feedback That Actually Matters)

Every math teacher knows the grading pile can turn into a mountain fast. Gradescope made a difference for me not just by speeding up scoring, but by auto-grouping similar mistakes from open-response work. That means instead of rewriting the same comment 40 times (“Remember to check slope signs!”), I batch feedback—and spend more time writing personalized advice just for those who need it most. I finally feel like my grading is helping learning, not just filling a spreadsheet.

5. Jungle – Personalized Vocab and Review Flashcards

Even my high schoolers get tripped up by terms: "rational," "coefficient," "inverse relationships"—and don’t get me started on test anxiety over vocab. With Jungle, I rapidly generate sets of flashcards from our current unit, differentiated for each class’s struggles. I let students choose decks (“function types,” “word problem phrases,” “SAT terms”), and we use quick-fire quiz games after a quiz or on Fridays. It’s made math language visible and less intimidating for everyone.

6. Edpuzzle – Student-Created Video Problem Walkthroughs

I’ve often used teacher-made video quizzes—but Edpuzzle’s secret weapon is letting students create interactive video lessons. My students pick a concept, film a walkthrough or explain a tricky homework question, and embed their own quiz questions for classmates. Reviewing a peer’s process (and mistakes!) is eye-opening—and the feedback is less intimidating than from me. It builds community, metacognition, and a healthy sense that even the "math geniuses" get stuck sometimes.

Math Class, Reinvented (Just a Little)

I won’t claim that any AI tool will suddenly make everyone love math—or that these apps never glitch. But these surprises changed my workflow, made feedback richer, and most importantly, helped shift the classroom vibe: from drill-and-kill worksheets to a place where mistakes are normal, thinking out loud is encouraged, and multiple learning paths feel possible.

If you’re wary, I get it. My advice: pick one tool for one unit and involve your students in making it work for them. If you’ve tried a new AI math tool that changed your classroom, I’d love to swap stories—and maybe finally trade that pile of half-finished worksheets for a little more genuine discovery.