OpenAI launches free ChatGPT for teachers: Check its features
What's the story
OpenAI has launched a new version of its AI assistant, ChatGPT for Teachers. The initiative is aimed at encouraging K-12 school employees to work with the company's AI models. The new tool is free until June 2027 and comes with features like unlimited messages with GPT-5.1 Auto, connectors to other apps, file uploads, image generation, and memory capabilities.
Compliance features
ChatGPT for Teachers: A compliant and collaborative tool
The new version of ChatGPT is compliant with the Family Education Rights Act, a law that governs how schools store student information. It also comes with collaboration features such as sharing chats with colleagues and suggestions on how other teachers have used ChatGPT. This way, educators can create classroom material and get comfortable using AI on their own terms.
Student engagement
OpenAI's previous efforts to engage students with AI
Before targeting teachers, OpenAI had already made attempts to get more students on board with its AI models. The company's ChatGPT Edu gives institutions a way to offer ChatGPT access like an email account. There's also Study Mode, a feature available in all versions of ChatGPT that focuses the chatbot's answers on explaining things step-by-step.
Security measures
ChatGPT for Teachers helps personalize curriculum
ChatGPT for Teachers offers all the tools available in ChatGPT but with higher usage limits. It provides a secure workspace where educators can adapt materials for their classrooms, make the most out of prep time, collaborate with peers and get comfortable using AI on their own terms. The tool also remembers educator details like grade level taught to help personalize curriculum materials and responses.
Privacy protection
ChatGPT for Teachers will not be used to train AI
OpenAI has assured that any information shared with ChatGPT for Teachers will not be used to train its models by default. The workspace has been built to meet FERPA requirements, a federal law that gives parents access to their children's records and regulates access and disclosure. It also includes admin controls allowing schools to claim their domains and educators to access using SAML SSO.
Collaboration features
Educators create custom GPTs and share them with colleagues
ChatGPT for Teachers also lets educators create custom GPTs and share them with colleagues. To help teachers get started, the tool provides example prompts from other teachers already using ChatGPT in their workspaces. This way, it not only serves as a tool for creating classroom material but also fosters collaboration among educators.