Image created with Midjourney
I can't tell you how much of my life I've wasted fishing for images on Google Images.
You know what I mean, right? Fishing for images?
You get an idea in your mind of the kind of image you'd like to use. Then you start fishing ... putting your fishing line in the waters of Google Images in hopes of catching exactly what you envisioned.
The frustrating part? There's a VERY well stocked pond of paid stock images you could use -- if your school allocated the budget for these kinds of things.
You fish and you fish and you fish. And, if you're like me, there are lots of days when you come up empty-handed. You wonder, "Did I really just waste all of that time for nothing?"
Those days might be over.
Image generators powered by artificial intelligence can create those images for you! Just describe the picture you're looking for. They'll create several options to choose from. It'll save you time. Plus, you're more likely to get exactly what you're looking for.
In this post you'll find:
- 10 things to know about AI image generators
- 10 AI image generators you can use in the classroom
- 10 classroom ideas that use AI image generators
- 10 styles to prompt with when using AI image generators
- 10 image prompt tips (with cut-and-paste prompts)
- Key AI lesson: Talk about AI weirdness
How I use AI image generators in my classroom
Recently, after eight years of consulting work, I returned to the classroom to teach a full load of high school Spanish classes.
The experience was wonderful. It reminded me of all the things I love about teaching -- the students, the relationships, designing and facilitating a class period to try to engage students.
It was also challenging! It reminded me of how time-consuming and frustrating certain parts of the job are. I had to get back up to speed on grading and classroom management. I had a hard time getting everything done.
Thankfully, after studying how AI can help teachers to do their important work efficiently and effectively, I had some new strategies in hand.
One of the most helpful was AI image generators.
In moments, I could create engaging images that described our vocabulary words so my students could describe and discuss them in Spanish. The images made our storytelling parts of class much more engaging.
Want to use some of this "lightning in a bottle" that I used? Here's what you need to know ...
Click on any image below to jump directly to that section.
10 things to know about AI image generators in the classroom
You can just dive in and start trying out any of the AI image generators in this post. But here are a few things to keep in mind as you use them.
1. They create visual art in a variety of styles.
They range from photorealistic to illustrations to cartoons to anime to watercolors and oil paintings and beyond. They'll even create art in the style of famous artists. (More on that in a moment.) The only way to know is to try a certain art style.
2. Experimentation is key.
You might get the perfect image from an AI image generator on the first try. But that's unlikely. It's more likely that you'll have to experiment with different variations of prompts to get the look or the type of image that you really want. Your best bet is not to use these in a rush -- especially your first time. Take time to tinker.
3. Prompt and re-prompt.
Prompt an AI image generator and it'll probably create a set of four images based on your prompt. If you don't like what it created, adjust your prompt. Change the way you worded it. Be more descriptive. Try a different style of art. Following up with multiple prompts is pretty common.
4. You can use existing images as a base.
Many AI image generators let you upload an existing image -- or use a URL (link) to an image online as a starting point. Then, you can ask it to restyle it, add things to it, etc.
5. You can include lots of things in your prompt.
Those include description of the image, mood, style of art, lighting, colors, artist reference, details you're looking for, etc. It's good to be more and more specific -- up to a point. Eventually, at some point, your results might not vary that much if you continue to add more and more words.
6. AI image generators have some controversy.
AI image generators use huge libraries of existing art to train themselves to create the new images you describe. The problem with that? The original creators of that existing art often haven't given permission for the AI model to use their art to train on. Many in the creative/art communities despise AI image generators because they stole the artists' intellectual property -- then created a tool that'll replicate what they do for a living. There are ethical implications here, and some educators say they simply won't use AI image generators because of it.
7. Generally, you can use AI-generated images for educational purposes.
The copyright situation with AI image generators is messy. Most were trained on images that are copyrighted. Some AI image generators put a specific usage license on their images. Example: Adobe Firefly, while in beta, says its images are for non-commercial uses only. Court rulings will eventually start to set legal precedent. Check the documentation on any AI image generator you use for specific information. (And don't take any of this to be legal advice. I'm not a lawyer!)
8. Know your terms of use.
If you want students to use AI image generators directly, check the age limits in the terms of use. Younger students might not be able to use them. But there's a good chance you can use AI image generators -- and then pass the image along to the student. Most terms of use only indicate who should be submitting the prompt to the app. It's up to you as to what you do with what the app created; that part isn't specified in the terms of use.
9. Most AI image generators have safeguards in place.
Lots of them have created "guardrails" against a variety of concerns including misinformation, deception, explicit images, etc. In many instances, they are good -- and something we should be happy about. Sometimes, though, those safeguards will stand in the way of letting you create what you want. For example, if you wanted to create a hypothetical image based on something in history, a safeguard against deception might stop you in your tracks.
10. The gold standard for AI image generators is human hands.
Want to get a quick idea of how good an AI image generator is? In my opinion, if it can create humans with realistic-looking human hands, you have a winner.
10 AI image generators you can use in the classroom
In this section, I'll share some of my favorite AI image generators as well as some pro's and cons about each.
1. Ideogram (ideogram.ai)
Screenshot of Ideogram.ai
Cost: "Freemium" (20 free prompts per day)
Pros, cons, features:
- Powerful AI model that makes accurate, vivid images
- Uses "Magic Prompt" to improve your original prompt to improve the quality of image you receive
- Adjust aspect ratio (horizontal, vertical, etc)
- Image upload and editor available in premium plan
2. Adobe Firefly (firefly.adobe.com)
Screenshot of Adobe Firefly
Cost: Free
Pros, cons, features:
- Creates great, clean images
- Very easy to use
- Side panel lets you select options (instead of remembering to type them in your prompt)
- Image watermark makes it clear that images are AI-created (but is very bold)
- Has lots of other AI image tools beyond "text to image" like generative fill, text effects, recoloring and more
3. Nano-Banana inside Google Gemini (gemini.google.com)
Screenshot of Google Gemini
Cost: Generally Free (with paid tiers offering more advanced models/limits)
Pros, cons, features:
- Integrated directly into Gemini.
- Can often perform complex edits or iterative changes through natural conversation.
- Can create images with good text rendering (though checking is still advised).
4. Microsoft Designer (designer.microsoft.com)
Screenshot of Microsoft Designer
Cost: Free
Pros, cons, features:
- Really, really easy to use ... good overall experience
- Provides lots of user-created images for inspiration
- Lots of tools including remove background, generative erase, and restyle image
- Saves all of your previous images in a sidebar
- Create fill-in-the-blank prompts (tutorial) to share with friends/students to make image creation easy for them
5. DALL-E (inside ChatGPT) (chatgpt.com)
Screenshot of DALL-E
Cost: Free
Pros, cons, features:
- Integrated into newest ChatGPT models
- No watermarking
- One of the easier ones to use
- Generally does well sticking to the descriptions you provide
6. Scribble Diffusion (scribblediffusion.com)
Screenshot of Scribble Diffusion
Cost: Free
Pros, cons, features:
- Draw a simple sketch with your touchscreen, mouse, touchpad, etc.
- Scribble Diffusion identifies what your drawing was and generates a high resolution image to match it
- Save the results or copy a link
7. Canva Text to Image (canva.com/ai-image-generator)
Screenshot of Canva Text to Image
Cost: Depends on your Canva account (limited number of credits)
Pros, cons, features:
- Describe the image you want in text
- Choose from a variety of styles and aspect ratios
- Integrate the image into a Canva design
- Use other AI tools like mockups, D-ID talking head videos, and more
- Isn't the most capable or accurate image generator
- More likely to be available to students via a student Canva account
8. DreamStudio (dreamstudio.ai)
Screenshot of DreamStudio
Cost: Some free credits; purchase additional credits
Pros, cons, features:
- High-quality image generator that offers some images for free
- Sidebar lets you choose style, settings, etc.
- Lots of customization and control
- Includes "negative prompt" to specify what you don't want to get
- Performs well on very specific prompts
9. Craiyon (craiyon.com)
Screenshot of Craiyon
Cost: Totally free
Pros, cons, features:
- No credits to buy or limitations
- Isn't highest quality; can create distorted or less-than-ideal images
- Keep prompting it in hopes of getting what you want
- Has lots of ads
10. Midjourney (midjourney.com)
Screenshot of Midjourney
Cost: Plans from $10 USD to $120 USD per month (no free version)
Pros, cons, features:
- One of the very best at creating impressive, detailed images
- VERY steep learning curve (prompting, using a Discord server, etc.)
- See creations of other users in the Discord server (to learn from what they're doing)
10 ideas for using AI generated images in class
Love the idea of AI image generators but aren't sure how they fit in a classroom? Here are 10 classroom ideas that use AI image generators.
1. Add illustrations to a story. This works great with read-alouds and any type of story that students might read. Ask an AI image generator to create illustrations that the illustrator of the story didn't create -- or invent new ones if there wasn't an illustrator!
2. Create an alternate ending. This is a fun follow-up to the previous one -- and a great twist on history, too. What if a character in a story chose a different path? What if someone in history did something completely differently? Ask an AI image generator for an image of what that would look like to spark students' imagination.
3. Create student avatars. This could be a fun get-to-know-you activity or community-building activity. Students could create avatars -- images that represent them -- with AI image generators. Then they can explain why they made the avatar look the way it does.
4. Assign an illustrated writing prompt. Create an image of a person, a place, an event, etc. Then let students write about it.
5. Illustrate a story problem or a physics problem. Sometimes, story problems are hard to envision. Generate an image with AI that shows students what that problem might look like.
6. Create an illustration for a mnemonic device / memory hook. Having a mnemonic device, a silly saying, an acronym, etc. can help students remember. If it's something visual, create an image that helps students remember.
7. Create and add images to presentation slides. Who needs stock photos when AI can generate your images? If you need general images to illustrate or represent a certain idea, use an AI image generator.
8. Integrate students' interests into a lesson. Your students might love Nacho Cheese Doritos. Or Mountain Dew. Or a certain YouTuber or TikTok account or brand of shoes. Generate images with AI that represent those ideas.
9. Create an image to describe. This can be really helpful in world languages or with students learning a new language. Generate images that students can use grammar, vocabulary, or new communication concepts to describe. (Bonus: This works great with the 8 Parts EduProtocol. Learn more about EduProtocols and 8 Parts here.)
10. Create images of people to add dialogue. What would historical characters say to each other? How would a dialogue go between your students and a character in a story? Or with someone from a particular place or time period? Use AI image generators to create images for a comic strip of sorts. Add those images to Google Slides, PowerPoint, Canva ... anything where you can add speech/thought bubbles and text.
10 styles to prompt with when using AI image-generators
Photorealistic
Description: A highly lifelike image that looks as if it were taken with a high-quality camera. Ideal when you want visuals that feel real and grounded (for example: a classroom scene, a historic event, a scientific diagram made to look like a photo).
Why use it: It helps students connect with something believable and “in the real world.”
Prompt hint: “photorealistic, natural lighting, high resolution, realistic textures”.
3D animation style
Description: A bright, polished, computer-generated 3D animation look featuring friendly characters, highly expressive faces, and vibrant, saturated colors. This style has a characteristic whimsical and cinematic quality, often associated with major studio animated films.
Why use it: It’s engaging for younger students, feels fun and familiar (think: animated films), and helps bring abstract concepts to life.
Prompt hint: “high-quality 3D rendered character design, cinematic animation style, warm volumetric lighting, expressive, family movie aesthetic”.
Anime
Description: Influence from Japanese animation — stylized characters with big expressive eyes, dramatic composition, bold colors or flat coloring, dynamic poses.
Why use it: Many students are already familiar with anime aesthetic; it can help them engage when you’re using pop culture or student-interest hooks.
Prompt hint: “anime style, cel-shaded, vibrant colors, dynamic angle”.
Modern animated movie
Description: Similar to “3D animation” but more broadly modern animated film style (could include stylized 2D/3D hybrids, more cinematic lighting or effects).
Why use it: Useful for lessons that call for storytelling, characters, motion or scene-setting — e.g., a short animation storyboard or classroom video thumbnail.
Prompt hint: “modern animated movie style, dramatic lighting, 3D/2D hybrid, cinematic frame”.
Cartoon
Description: More simplified than “modern animation” — bold outlines, flat or limited shading, caricatured features, playful illustration.
Why use it: Great for younger grades, comic strips, student avatars, or fun visuals that don’t need to be “realistic.”
Prompt hint: “cartoon, bold outlines, bright flat colors, fun character”.
Watercolor
Description: Soft, blended brush-strokes, pastel or delicate colors, drips or splashes of paint; looks like a hand-painted piece rather than digital perfection.
Why use it: Elegant and artistic — works well for visuals in English/language arts, art classes, social-emotional learning (SEL) themes, or when you want a gentler mood.
Prompt hint: “watercolor painting style, soft textures, light washes, handmade feel”.
Minimalist vector illustration
Description: Clean lines, simple shapes, flat colors, minimal detail and visual “noise”. Think infographic, icon-style art.
Why use it: Perfect for classroom slides, handouts, worksheets where clarity counts; for younger learners or when you want students to focus on the concept rather than the art.
Prompt hint: “minimalist vector illustration, flat colors, clean lines, simple shapes”.
Vintage poster / retro print style
Description: Nostalgic look — muted or limited color palette, stylised typography, textures that mimic old printing or poster art from mid-20th century.
Why use it: Fun for history lessons (e.g., WWII propaganda style), social studies, or for creating “throwback” aesthetic to catch student attention.
Prompt hint: “vintage poster style, retro colors, grainy texture, bold typography”.
Oil painting / classical art style
Description: Rich brush strokes, textured canvas feel, dramatic lighting (think old master paintings), somewhat formal.
Why use it: Ideal for humanities, art history, world history, or whenever you want to evoke a more serious, elegant mood.
Prompt hint: “oil painting style, textured brushwork, warm tones, chiaroscuro lighting”.
Surreal / fantasy illustration
Description: Imaginative, dream-like, possibly mixing elements that don’t appear in real life; vivid, sometimes strange, magical visuals.
Why use it: Wonderful for creative writing prompts, speculative history or science fiction lessons, visual hooks for brain-storming.
Prompt hint: “surreal fantasy illustration, dreamlike scene, vivid colors, imaginative composition”.
10 AI image prompt tips (with cut-and-paste prompts)
Prompting is a skill that gets better with practice. Here are 10 quick tips to help you get the best image for your classroom needs, along with sample text you can copy and adjust!
1. Start simple & add detail
- Description: Begin with the subject, then layer on what it’s doing, the scene, and the mood.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A golden retriever reading a history book on a park bench, sunny day, happy mood.
2. Specify the art style
- Description: Always include a style to avoid a generic result. Use terms like cartoon, photorealistic, oil painting, anime, watercolor.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A portrait of Marie Curie, vintage poster style, muted colors, scientific aesthetic.
3. Use lighting and color
- Description: Lighting (e.g., dramatic, soft, studio) and color (e.g., vibrant, monochrome) create mood.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: An ancient Roman street scene, sunset lighting, warm tones, epic cinematic photograph.
4. Define the angle/view
- Description: Tell the AI if you want a close-up (macro), from a distance (wide shot), or a specific perspective (bird's eye view).
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: Close-up of a student raising their hand in a bright, modern classroom, shallow depth of field.
5. Add camera/render quality
- Description: This ensures a crisp, high-quality image. Use terms like high resolution, 4k, detailed.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A solar system model, 3D render, highly detailed, realistic texture, deep space background.
6. Exclude what you DON'T want
- Description: Many generators allow a negative prompt (or you can include "without" in the main prompt). This is key for fixing "AI weirdness" like extra limbs.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A crowd of diverse middle school students collaborating on a project, without blurry faces, without extra fingers.
7. Hone the composition
- Description: Use photography rules to control the layout and focus of elements in the frame. This ensures your key subject isn't cut off or lost.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A young girl looking up at a giant tree, low angle shot, rule of thirds composition, **full body view.**
8. State the context
- Description: Is the image meant for a textbook? A video game? This helps the AI understand the purpose.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: Minimalist vector illustration for an infographic, showing the water cycle, simple clean lines.
9. Define the aspect ratio
- Description: Tell the AI if you need a horizontal (slides/desktop), vertical (phone/pin), or square image.
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: A volcano erupting into the sky, digital painting, epic scale, 16:9 aspect ratio.
10. Combine concepts for metaphors
- Description: Use AI to visualize abstract or figurative concepts like "fear of failure" or "brainstorming."
- Cut-and-Paste Prompt: The concept of a 'lightbulb moment,' surreal fantasy illustration, glowing, dreamlike colors, high contrast.
Key AI lesson: Talk about "AI weirdness"
I used AI images a lot with my students. It helped us learn and practice with new content, but it also did something else.
It allowed me to teach them AI literacy without an entire AI unit -- or without me being a computer science teacher.
Before showing them AI-generated images, I told them the images were created by AI. (That showed them how a real human adult responsibly discloses AI use in the real world.)
But that wasn't even the best part.
Before we did any Spanish language work, we talked about any "AI weirdness" they saw in the image. It was fun and was very quick. But it was important.
It encouraged them to be on the lookout for what's real and what's synthetic ... or artificial.
Students don't need a whole AI unit or a computer science teacher to show them how to navigate a world with lots of AI in it.
They just need a human teacher that's willing to talk about how AI shows up in the world -- and how it fits into our academic setting. That can happen in 30 seconds or a couple minutes at a time.
Those little "in the moment," "by the way" lessons can be more powerful than an entire unit on AI. And over time, they add up to a real practical education on how to navigate AI in this world.
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Yes! Great idea!!!
for the ai can you just put in a carictor and type what you want.
I like the idea of using one of these for creating images of characters from our novels based on descriptions from the book.
I’m excited about the potential of AI image generators to engage students creatively in the classroom! In my Spanish Dual Language class, I could use these tools to have students create visual representations of vocabulary, cultural concepts, or story prompts. It’s a fun, interactive way to practice language while connecting technology to learning. I appreciate the practical tips provided in this post—it encourages me to try new digital tools with my students.
I am going to try to search for images to match our content vocabulary.
Working with one of my Spanish teachers (I’m a tech coach), we had students write a description of a scene and paste it into Adobe Firefly. The resulting image showed students what they were saying in Spanish, so they could check for accuracy. It was quick feedback–and more fun than a teacher’s comments.
Also MagicSchool just introduced an Image Generator tool which is powered by “Adobe Express” (which uses Firefly as its GenAI engine). Teachers can also push out this tool to students in the MagicStudent area.
AI image generators have revolutionized the world of digital art and graphic design. These powerful algorithms are capable of creating stunning and realistic images with incredible detail and precision. With AI image generators, artists and designers can now explore limitless possibilities and push the boundaries of their creativity. Whether it’s generating lifelike landscapes, fantastical creatures, or abstract compositions, these AI-powered tools provide a new level of inspiration and productivity. Moreover, the speed and efficiency of AI image generators allow for rapid iterations and experimentation, enabling artists to quickly refine their ideas and bring their visions to life. However, it’s important to note that while AI image generators are immensely useful, they should not be seen as a replacement for human creativity and expertise. Rather, they should be embraced as powerful tools that enhance and complement the artistic process, opening up new avenues for expression and innovation.
I’d caution against using WaifuLabs in schools based on the name alone. A Waifu is essentially an anime girlfriend that humans [typically men] have, and that’s a subculture that, as a teacher, I really don’t want to have to discuss in class. And if students just search for Waifu instead of following a link, who knows what results they might get.
Oh yes! Good recommendation. I’ll check that one out!
For sure need to check out Leonardo.ai You get 150 free credits daily and I would say it is as good as Midjourney.