You need one tool for lesson planning. One for grading feedback. One for quiz generation. One for... wait, now you have five tools, five logins, five sets of data scattered everywhere.
Tool bloat is real. Here's how to not drown.
The tools you actually need
- One big-brain model for thinking: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini. This is the "ask anything" tool. One of these is enough.
- One for creating lesson materials: Canva, specialized lesson-design tools. One tool, not three.
- One for generating images: DALL-E or similar. Don't be the teacher with ten image-generation subscriptions.
- One locked system through your school (if you have it): Petal? Google Workspace's AI features? If your district provides it, use it first.
That's four categories. You don't need more than that.
The decision framework
When a new tool shows up and you think "this could save time," ask:
1. Do I already have a tool that does 80% of this? If yes, stick with what you have.
2. Is this FERPA-safe for student data? If no, it's a planning tool only.
3. Will I actually remember the password in three months? If the answer is "I'd have to reset it," you have too many already.
4. Does it integrate with the tools I already use? Or is it another island of data?
If the answer to #1 is "I already have this," stop. Close the tab. You don't need it.
How to organize what you have
Keep a simple spreadsheet:
| Tool | Purpose | Monthly Cost | FERPA Safe? | Logged In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Brainstorming, lesson drafts | $20 | No (anonymize first) | Yes |
| Canva | Cover images, posters | $10 | Yes | Yes |
This takes 20 minutes and saves you from "wait, didn't I have a tool for this?" six months from now.
The [assessment blueprint tool](/assessment-blueprint) helps you define what you're assessing first, and the [lesson plan generator](/lesson-plan-generator) does most of what you need for planning anyway.
