When Teachers Build the Tools – Thomas Hummel of Eduaide.Ai
ChatEDU – The AI & Education Podcast
Intro
Host Matt introduces the episode, guest Thomas Hummel, and the episode theme about teachers building AI tools; sponsor mention included.
In this episode of ChatEDU (When Teachers Build the Tools – Thomas Hummel of Eduaide.Ai), Matt sits down with Thomas Hummel, a full-time middle school science teacher and co-founder of Eduaide.Ai, a generative AI platform that has been used by over a million teachers. They talk about what it means to design AI tools while actively teaching and why staying in the classroom is more than a talking point. From morning planning routines to building curriculum games tied to Battleship, Thomas offers an unfiltered, grounded look at building edtech from the inside out.
Matt and Thomas have a wide ranging conversation that provides an insiders look at edtech and AI + edu. Some (but certainly not all) of what they discussed includes:
Inside Eduaide.Ai’s Classroom-Centered DesignThomas shares how Eduaide.Ai began and why being a practicing teacher gives him, and the platform, a sharp edge. He uses the tool daily and gives direct feedback to his co-founders. Their goal isn’t just speed. It’s trust, alignment, and better instructional choices.
Beyond the Wrapper: A Model Garden ApproachRather than rely on one LLM, Eduaide.Ai routes different tasks through different models based on need. A custom knowledge graph and layered evaluators help ensure content is instructionally sound. The platform emphasizes transparency over automation.
Why They Refuse Student-Facing ChatbotsEduaide.Ai doesn’t allow students to chat with AI. Thomas explains why: from misinformation to ethical ambiguity, the risks are real. “You’re teaching a student based on a lie,” he says, especially when bots impersonate historical figures or return questionable writing feedback.
Built-In Quality Scoring, Powered by CZIWorking with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Eduaide.Ai now includes a built-in evaluator that checks AI-generated content for age appropriateness, vocabulary, readability, and pedagogical quality. Teachers can also use it to vet their own materials, even if they weren’t created on the platform.
Matt and Liz are grateful for the time Thomas was able to share and look forward to more conversations on this shared journey.
Announcements & Sponsors
Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org
The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - skills21.org/ai/micro
The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. www.nextgenmfg.org
Links and References
Chan Zuckerberg Education https://chanzuckerberg.com/blog/scaling-proven-learning-practices/
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