AI Tools & Resources
Scottish Borders Council schools have access to a range of digital and AI-supported tools. These tools are intended to enhance learning, support professional practice and improve accessibility.
There is no expectation that staff or pupils purchase paid upgrades or premium versions of any platform. Free or authority-provided access should be used.
Access for pupils must always be determined by age, stage, safeguarding guidance and local school policy.
Overview of available AI tools
Choosing the right tool
Selecting the most appropriate tool depends on the intended learning outcome. AI should be chosen based on purpose, stage and educational value.
- For drafting, modelling and staff planning support → ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, NotebookLM, MagicSchool
- For retrieval and assessment → Wayfinder, Quizlet, Showbie, Microsoft Forms
- For creative production and digital media → Adobe Express
- For structured mathematical reasoning → Magma Maths
- For literacy development and reading fluency → Kaligo, Microsoft Teams (Reading Progress), Microsoft Reading Coach
This quick guide is designed to support professional judgement and help staff make efficient, purposeful decisions about tool selection.
AI Tools
Generative AI Tools
Generative AI tools are general-purpose AI platforms that generate text, explanations, summaries and structured content.
ChatGPT
A flexible generative AI tool that produces text, explanations, summaries and structured content, supporting drafting, modelling and rapid refinement.
Applications
- Drafting lesson materials
- Refining communications
- Generating revision explanations
- Creating scaffolds and model structures
- Idea generation
Impacts
- Reduces drafting time
- Supports clearer explanations
- Strengthens differentiation
- Encourages critical evaluation of AI output
Recommended Users: S1–S3 (guided), S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://chat.openai.com | iOS App – Available on Inspire Learning iPad
MagicSchool
An AI platform designed specifically for educators, providing structured tools to support planning, differentiation, communication and classroom preparation.
Applications
- Generating lesson outlines and unit plans
- Creating differentiated materials
- Drafting parent and pupil communications
- Producing question banks and rubrics
- Supporting administrative tasks
Impacts
- Reduces planning time
- Supports consistency in lesson design
- Strengthens differentiation
- Streamlines routine professional tasks
Recommended Users: Staff, S4–S6 (student-facing tools where enabled)
Access:
-Website: https://www.magicschool.ai
Glow email required for school-approved access where applicable
Gemini
Google’s generative AI assistant for drafting, summarising and structured responses, particularly useful for research starting points.
Applications
- Research starting points
- Drafting structured responses
- Summarising information
- Planning outlines
Impacts
- Supports structured thinking
- Increases efficiency in drafting
- Encourages questioning and verification
Recommended Users: S1–S3 (guided), S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://gemini.google.com
Microsoft Copilot
An AI assistant integrated within Microsoft 365, designed to enhance productivity within familiar workflow tools.
Applications
- Drafting within Word
- Developing presentations
- Summarising documents
- Productivity support
Impacts
- Improves workflow efficiency
- Enhances document clarity
- Supports professional productivity
Recommended Users: S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://copilot.microsoft.com
Glow email required for Microsoft 365 access
NotebookLM
An AI-supported research and synthesis tool that works from uploaded source materials, keeping responses grounded in selected documents.
Applications
- Structured note-making
- Summarising source material
- Generating questions from approved documents
- Research consolidation
Impacts
- Strengthens engagement with source material
- Improves research organisation
- Encourages evidence-based thinking
Recommended Users: S4–S6 (supervised), Staff
Access: Website: https://notebooklm.google.com
Assessment & Feedback Tools
Showbie
A learning platform used across SBC with integrated AI-supported feedback tools embedded within assessment tools.
Applications
- Structured formative feedback
- Moderation support
- Feedback prompt generation
- Assessment workflow management
Impacts
- Improves feedback consistency
- Reduces administrative burden
- Supports high-quality formative assessment
Recommended Users: ELC-P1, P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access:
-Website: https://www.showbie.com | iOS App – Available on Inspire Learning iPad
Glow email required for school account
Microsoft Forms
A digital assessment and survey tool within Microsoft 365 that includes AI-assisted question suggestions and automated data analysis.
Applications
- Creating quizzes and knowledge checks
- Generating AI-assisted question suggestions
- Gathering pupil feedback
- Analysing assessment data
Impacts
- Streamlines assessment creation
- Supports responsive teaching
- Provides clear data insights
- Reduces administrative workload
Recommended Users: P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://forms.office.com
Glow email required for access
Wayground (formerly Quizzez)
A digital assessment and retrieval platform supporting formative assessment and knowledge checks.
Applications
- Knowledge checks
- Retrieval practice
- Formative assessment
- Differentiated questioning
Impacts
- Strengthens recall
- Supports responsive teaching
- Provides immediate feedback
Recommended Users: P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://wayground.com
Quizlet
A revision platform with AI-supported flashcard and quiz generation to support independent study and vocabulary development.
Applications
- Retrieval practice
- Vocabulary development
- Independent revision
- Knowledge consolidation
Impacts
- Supports memory retention
- Encourages independent study
- Improves revision structure
Recommended Users: P4–P7 (supervised), S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://quizlet.com | iOS App – Available on Inspire Learning iPad
Creative & Media Tools
Adobe Express
A creative design and media platform with AI-supported features that support visual communication and interdisciplinary learning.
Applications
- Poster and presentation design
- Digital storytelling
- Video creation
- Visual communication tasks
Impacts
- Enhances creative expression
- Supports interdisciplinary learning
- Increases engagement
Recommended Users: P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access: Website: https://express.adobe.com | iOS App – Available on Inspire Learning iPad
Glow email required for education account
Mathematics Tools
Magma Maths
A collaborative mathematics platform supporting modelling, problem solving and real-time feedback.
Applications
- Mathematical reasoning
- Real-time feedback
- Problem solving
- Collaborative modelling
Impacts
- Strengthens conceptual understanding
- Encourages mathematical dialogue
- Supports responsive feedback
Recommended Users: P4–P7 (selected), S1–S3, S4–S6, Staff
Access:
Website: https://magmamath.com
Glow email required for school account
Literacy Tools
Kaligo
An AI-supported handwriting and literacy feedback tool designed to support early years development.
Applications
- Letter formation
- Early literacy development
- Fine motor skill support
Impacts
- Improves handwriting accuracy
- Supports early literacy progression
- Builds learner confidence
Recommended Users: ELC–P3, P4–P7 (targeted), Staff
Access: iOS App – Available on Inspire Learning iPad
Glow email required for school account
Microsoft Teams – Reading Progress
A literacy support tool integrated within Microsoft Teams to support reading fluency and targeted intervention.
Applications
- Reading fluency monitoring
- Independent reading practice
- Targeted literacy intervention
Impacts
- Strengthens reading fluency
- Provides actionable literacy insights
- Supports targeted intervention
Recommended Users: P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6 (targeted), Staff
Access
- Website: https://teams.microsoft.com
- Glow email required for access
Microsoft Teams – Reading Coach
A literacy support tool within Microsoft that provides structured, personalised reading practice linked to Reading Progress.
Applications
- Independent reading practice
- Fluency development
- Personalised reading support
- Targeted literacy intervention
Impacts
- Strengthens reading fluency
- Supports learner confidence
- Provides structured independent practice
- Enhances targeted intervention planning
Recommended Users: P4–P7, S1–S3, S4–S6 (targeted), Staff
Access: Website: https://coach.microsoft.com
Glow email required for access
AI Approval
All tools listed on this page have been reviewed by Inspire Learning and CGI teams and found suitable for the ages recommended.
Any additional AI-enabled tools must be approved through Inspire Learning & CGI before being used with pupils.
Personal or sensitive data must never be entered into public AI systems. Staff remain professionally responsible for all outputs used in teaching or assessment.
Requesting Changes to Filtering
Some AI platforms are currently blocked. All requests relating to filtering must be submitted via SNOW on the Intranet.
Schools can request review of:
- An entire website, to be blocked or unblocked
- An individual webpage within a website, to be blocked or unblocked
- Specific search terms to be restricted
- Specific words or phrases to be restricted within website addresses, URLs
All filtering change requests, including websites, webpages, search terms and URL keyword restrictions, should be submitted through SNOW and will be considered as part of that process, making a request doesn’t guarantee it will be applied.
Expectations for Use
- AI must enhance learning, not replace independent thinking.
- Assessment integrity must be protected at all stages.
- Age and stage appropriateness must be considered before pupil access.
- AI outputs must be reviewed and validated before use.
AI tools are most effective when used purposefully, proportionately and critically.
