AI for studying and homework: best tools and tips

AI is one of the best study tools ever invented, but only if used right. Used wrong, it does your homework and you learn nothing. Used right, it's a patient tutor who explains things until you actually understand, generates practice problems endlessly, and is available at 9pm when no human teacher is. This guide is for students and the grandparents helping them.

The most useful AI study tasks

1. Explain a concept you're stuck on

"Explain photosynthesis to me like I'm in 7th grade. Use a real-world example."

If the first explanation doesn't click: "Try again, simpler." or "Use a different example."

2. Quiz me

"Quiz me on the U.S. Constitution. Ask me 10 multiple choice questions. Don't tell me the answers right away. After I answer, tell me if I'm right and explain why."

One of the best ways to use AI. Active recall is proven more effective than passive reading.

3. Generate practice problems

"Give me 5 practice problems for the quadratic formula at the level of a high school algebra 2 student. Don't show the answers until I try."

Endless practice problems, free.

4. Walk me through a problem I got wrong

"I got this math problem wrong. Walk me through the steps of how to solve it correctly, explaining each step. Where did I likely make the mistake?"

5. Help me outline an essay

"I'm writing an essay about [topic]. My thesis is [your thesis]. Help me outline the structure. Then I'll write each paragraph myself."

AI helps the structure; you write the words.

6. Summarize reading I struggle with

"Summarize this chapter of my biology textbook [paste]. Then create 5 questions a teacher might ask on a quiz."

7. Translate confusing language

"Translate this paragraph of Shakespeare into modern English so I understand what's happening."

Then go back and read the original. You'll understand it now.

8. Make flashcards

"Make me 20 flashcards on the U.S. Civil War. Front of card has the term or question, back has the answer. Format as a numbered list."

9. Practice for a presentation or speech

"Pretend you're my history teacher. Ask me 5 follow-up questions a teacher might ask during my presentation on the Cuban Missile Crisis."

10. Plan a study schedule

"My biology final is in 10 days. The exam covers chapters 7-13. I have about 1 hour per day to study. Build me a daily study plan that uses spaced repetition."

The best AI tools for students

Khanmigo (Khan Academy's AI tutor)

Free for students with a Khan Academy account. Purpose-built for tutoring. Won't just give you answers; walks you through the thinking.

ChatGPT (free or Plus)

Most flexible. Better for older students who can resist the temptation to just ask for the answer.

Claude (free or Pro)

Best for writing help and longer documents.

NotebookLM

Upload class readings, generate study guides, listen to audio overviews. Excellent for test prep. See our NotebookLM guide.

Perplexity

Best when you need cited sources for a paper.

Wolfram Alpha

For math, physics, chemistry calculations. Shows steps. Often more accurate than ChatGPT for math.

Quizlet (with AI features)

Built-in AI now generates flashcards and study tools from your notes.

Specific tasks by subject

Math

• "Show me how to solve this step by step: [problem]."
• "Where did I likely mess up in this attempt: [show your work]?"
• "Give me 10 more problems like this one."
• Use Wolfram Alpha for double-checking; ChatGPT can make math errors.

Writing and English

• "Read my essay draft. What's the strongest argument? What's the weakest? Don't rewrite it; help me see what to improve." (paste your draft)
• "Explain the difference between active and passive voice with examples."
• "What does 'in medias res' mean? Give an example."
• Never have AI write the essay itself. Always do that part yourself.

History

• "Compare and contrast the causes of WWI and WWII."
• "What were the main consequences of the Treaty of Versailles?"
• "Quiz me on the U.S. presidents from 1900 to 1950."

Science

• "Explain mitosis to me with a concrete example."
• "What's the difference between weather and climate, with examples?"
• "Quiz me on the periodic table elements 1-20."

Languages

• "Translate this Spanish paragraph to English. Then explain the grammar of one sentence I should learn."
• "Have a 5-minute conversation with me in Spanish at the beginner level. Correct my mistakes gently."
• "Quiz me on these vocabulary words."

For grandparents helping grandkids

If you're trying to help with homework but it's been 40 years since you took chemistry, AI is your friend.

1. Read the problem with the kid.
2. Ask ChatGPT to explain the concept needed to solve it.
3. Read the explanation together.
4. Have the kid try the problem.
5. If stuck, ask AI for a hint, not the answer.
6. Celebrate when they get it.

You don't have to be an expert in the subject. You have to be willing to learn alongside them.

What NOT to do

• Don't paste the homework question and submit the answer. You learn nothing and you'll be lost on the test.
• Don't trust AI on math without checking. AI does math wrong sometimes. Verify with Wolfram Alpha or a calculator.
• Don't trust AI citations. AI invents fake academic papers. For real research papers, use Google Scholar.
• Don't violate your school's AI policy. Most schools have one now. Check it.
• Don't paste personally identifying info. Especially for minors.

Specific subject prompts to memorize

• "Explain like I'm 12": for any confusing topic.
• "Quiz me on this": active recall practice.
• "Where did I go wrong?": show your work, get diagnosed.
• "Make me [N] practice problems at the level of [grade/class]": endless practice.
• "Compare and contrast [X] and [Y]": deepens understanding.
• "What questions might a teacher ask about [topic]?": exam prep.

Test prep workflow

1. Upload your notes and readings to NotebookLM. Generate an audio overview.
2. Listen to the audio on a walk.
3. Ask ChatGPT: "Quiz me on these chapters [paste topic list]."
4. For wrong answers, ask: "Explain why this is the right answer."
5. Generate flashcards for terms you're forgetting.
6. Day before the test: take a final practice quiz. Identify weak spots.
7. Morning of: skim flashcards.

Parents: what to encourage and watch for

• Encourage: AI explanations, quizzing, practice problems, outlining help.
• Watch for: entire essays in AI's voice, work that's better than your kid normally does, lack of understanding when asked questions about the work.
• Talk about it: "What did you learn from AI today?" beats "Did you use AI?"
• Be a model: use AI for your own learning so they see you using it as a learning tool.

5 things to try this week

1. Pick a subject your kid (or grandkid) struggles with. Have AI explain one concept.
2. Have AI generate a 5-question quiz on a topic they just learned.
3. Try Khanmigo at khanacademy.org with a Khan Academy account.
4. Upload class notes to NotebookLM; listen to the audio overview.
5. Help your student understand one wrong test answer using AI.

Video walkthrough: Khanmigo AI Tutor

Video by Khan Academy on YouTube