AI in Action for Educators

This lesson helps you understand how Snorkl works as a classroom tool — not just what it is — and gives you a clear path to start using it with students. You’ll learn how to create activities, assign them, and use Snorkl to capture student thinking and provide feedback that supports deeper learning.

One of the hardest parts of teaching can be figuring out what students are really thinking.

A worksheet shows answers.

A multiple-choice quiz shows selections.

But neither shows reasoning.

Snorkl changes that by allowing students to record their thinking while they solve, explain, analyze, or reflect. Instead of guessing where misunderstanding happened, you can see and hear it.

That makes feedback faster, more specific, and more meaningful — for both students and teachers.

By the end of this lesson, you will:

• Understand what Snorkl is and how it works

• Know how teachers create and assign activities

• Understand what students actually do inside the platform

• See how AI feedback supports revision

• Identify classroom-ready uses across subject areas

Snorkl is an AI-powered classroom platform where students explain their thinking using voice, drawing, or writing — and receive immediate feedback that helps them revise and improve.

It’s especially powerful for math reasoning, science explanations, language practice, and any task where process matters as much as the answer.

Teachers can:

• Create their own prompt (problem, question, diagram, scenario)

• Choose from a library of existing tasks

• Decide how students will respond (voice + whiteboard, drawing only, writing only, etc.)

Depending on the task, students can:

• Speak while solving a problem

• Draw on a digital whiteboard

• Annotate diagrams

• Type written responses

The key difference?
Students explain their reasoning as they work.

After submitting, students receive AI-generated feedback that may:

• Highlight strengths

• Point out missing steps

• Ask clarifying questions

• Suggest improvements

Students can then revise and resubmit.

That revision loop is where growth happens.

In the teacher dashboard, you can:

• Review student recordings

• See common misconceptions

• Identify who needs support

• Notice patterns in reasoning

Instead of grading line-by-line, you can focus on instructional next steps.

Snorkl is especially strong for:

• Math problem-solving with verbal reasoning

• Science explanations with diagrams

• Explaining reading comprehension answers

• World language speaking practice

• Any assignment where “show your thinking” matters

If you’ve ever said, “Explain how you got that,” this tool supports that moment.

Website: Start by going to the official Snorkl site. Snorkl works on your desktop or laptop computer, your Chromebook, and even on your cell phone. No need to add a browser extension or locate the app: simply use the website. :)

Sign up for a free account using your school email address.

When you try it:

• Watch the two minute video (linked above) to see step-by-step directions.

• Start with one short, low-stakes task.

• Model your own example first.

• Normalize revision.

• Focus on thinking, not perfection.

Students adapt quickly — especially when they see that feedback helps them improve.

If this tool feels like a fit, don’t overcomplicate it.

Start small.

Think of one moment in your teaching where you regularly say:

• “Tell me how you got that.”

• “Explain your thinking.”

• “Walk me through it.”

That’s where Snorkl belongs.

Begin with a short, low-stakes task. Let students practice explaining. Let them revise. Notice what you learn from hearing their reasoning.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s visibility.

• Captures student thinking through voice, drawing, or writing
• Provides instant AI feedback
• Allows revision and resubmission
• Gives teachers insight into student reasoning

Students can:

• 🎙 Speak while solving

• ✏ Draw/annotate on a whiteboard

• ⌨ Type written explanations

• Or combine voice + drawing

• Math problem-solving
• Science explanation with diagrams
• Reading comprehension reasoning
• World language speaking practice
• Constructed responses

• Saves time on repetitive feedback
• Surfaces misconceptions quickly
• Encourages revision
• Focuses on process, not just product

• Start with a 5–10 minute task
• Model an example yourself
• Celebrate revision
• Keep it low-stakes at first

Additional Tip: Whether it’s a planned e-learning day or one of our surprise snow days, Snorkl allows students to talk through their process from home — giving you meaningful insight into their understanding, not just their final answers.

Math

• Solve a simple word problem and explain how you got the answer.

• Show how you know 8 + 5 equals 13.

Reading

• Retell the story in your own words.

• Explain why a character made a choice.

Science

• Draw the life cycle of a butterfly and explain it aloud.

Why it works: Young students often understand more than they can write. Voice makes thinking visible.

Math

• Solve a multi-step word problem and explain each step.

• Compare two strategies for solving the same problem.

Science

• Label and explain a diagram (e.g., water cycle, food chain).

• Predict what will happen in an experiment and explain why.

Social Studies

• Explain cause and effect of a historical event.

• Describe how geography influenced a community.

Why it works: This is where “show your thinking” becomes academic language.

Math

• Justify your solution method.

• Identify and explain a mistake in a sample solution.

ELA

• Analyze how a character changes over time.

• Defend a theme with evidence from the text.

Science

• Explain the steps of a scientific process.

• Use evidence to support a claim.

Why it works: Students practice academic reasoning and argumentation.

Math

• Compare two solution methods and determine which is more efficient.

• Explain reasoning behind a proof step.

Science

• Analyze data from an experiment and explain conclusions.

• Defend or refute a scientific claim using evidence.

History

• Analyze primary source documents aloud.

• Argue a position using historical evidence.

World Language

• Respond verbally to a prompt.

• Explain a cultural concept in the target language.

Why it works: It strengthens argumentation, explanation, and revision — core high school skills.

I’ve learned over the years that some of the best instructional moments happen when we pause and simply listen to how students are thinking.

Snorkl doesn’t replace that moment — it amplifies it.

If a tool helps us hear student reasoning more clearly, respond more intentionally, and give feedback that actually moves learning forward, then it’s worth exploring.

As always, try one small thing. Notice what you learn. Adjust from there.

— Laurie

Next time, we’re shifting the focus.

AI isn’t just for teachers.

We’ll explore practical, real-world ways AI can support paraprofessionals, office staff, bus drivers, administrators, and every adult who makes a school run well. Because when every adult feels equipped, students benefit.

To help me make these lessons most useful (and to use my time wisely), I’d love your input:

How do you prefer to receive these AI lessons?

☐ Short written newsletters like this

☐ Short video walkthroughs

☐ A combination of both

You don’t need to reply unless you’d like to—this is just helpful feedback.

And finally, if you would like a short video or Google Meet walkthrough of anything we cover, please let me know. I’m happy to create videos or meet virtually with you when you'd like help.

You can view all of the AI in Action for Educators lessons on our district website through this link: https://www.parkrapids.k12.mn.us/departments/technology-homepage/ai