A new AI tool for teachers is taking a different approach: it was built by listening to what educators actually want, rather than imposing technology from the top down. Oxford University Press and edtech provider Avallain have launched Plan Assist, an AI-powered resource generator designed to help teachers create custom lesson plans, glossaries, flashcards, and other materials. What makes this launch notable is how it came together: the companies gathered feedback from a global network of 60,000 teachers to understand their real pressures and priorities before designing the tool.

What Are Teachers' Biggest Challenges Right Now?

The research behind Plan Assist revealed three dominant pain points affecting teachers worldwide. According to the feedback collected from the teacher network, 74% of educators reported not having enough time and feeling over-stretched, while 55% cited mental health and wellbeing concerns, and 54% pointed to budget restrictions as a major obstacle. These numbers paint a picture of an exhausted teaching workforce stretched thin across competing demands.

Beyond identifying problems, the research also mapped what teachers actually want from digital platforms. The findings showed clear priorities that shaped Plan Assist's design and feature set.

How to Choose AI Tools That Actually Support Teachers

• Resource Customization: 56% of teachers said they needed the ability to download, adapt, and print ready-made teaching and planning resources tailored to their specific needs.
• Presentation Quality: 54% wanted tools to support front-of-class teaching using high-quality presentations that engage students visually.
• Progress Monitoring: 52% emphasized the importance of functionality to monitor and report on student progress with actionable data.
• AI-Assisted Planning: 50% specifically requested AI features to help create lesson plans and teaching resources, reducing manual preparation time.
• Student Feedback and Tracking: Teachers also highlighted the need for immediate, actionable feedback for learners, auto-marking capabilities, and data tracking systems.

Plan Assist directly addresses these priorities by combining Oxford University Press's pedagogical expertise with Avallain's AI technology. The tool leverages trusted OUP content in its prompts to generate high-quality, curriculum-aligned outputs. Teachers in pilot trials reported that the tool provides "a range of resources to support a teacher successfully in the classroom with ideas, content, and activities" and praised "its ability to instantly rewrite the same content for different audiences".

Why Teacher-Led Testing Matters for AI in Education

Before launching Plan Assist, the companies conducted rigorous testing that went beyond typical product development. The process included external subject matter experts reviewing the tool, pilot trials with UK and international teachers, and extensive testing across four languages and multiple regions. This approach reflects a broader shift in how responsible AI tools are being developed for education: with teachers as active participants in shaping the technology, not passive end-users.

The technology powering Plan Assist has already gained recognition in the edtech industry, earning recognition at major awards including BETT and the Learning Technology Awards. This validation suggests that the teacher-centered design approach resonates with education leaders and researchers.

"Teachers everywhere are being asked to do more with less time. By combining OUP's trusted content with responsible, innovative AI capabilities, we are giving teachers practical tools that make a real difference in the classroom. At OUP, our focus has always been to lead with learning and ensure that technology is there to support teachers," stated an International Product Director in OUP's Education division.

International Product Director, Education Division at Oxford University Press

The collaboration also reflects a shared commitment to ethical AI development. Both organizations emphasized that their key principles remain centered on creating resources with real purpose, maintaining a human in the loop, prioritizing quality content and pedagogy, and ensuring safe, ethical use.

What Does This Mean for the Future of AI in Schools?

Plan Assist's rollout signals an important trend in edtech: successful AI tools are those built in partnership with the people who use them daily. Rather than assuming what teachers need, companies that invest time in understanding educator workflows and constraints are more likely to create tools that actually reduce workload rather than add to it. The tool will be available on Kerboodle, OUP's online learning platform, and will continue rolling out to courses throughout 2026.

This approach also addresses a persistent criticism of edtech: that tools are often designed by technologists and entrepreneurs with limited classroom experience. By centering teacher voices from the beginning, Plan Assist demonstrates that AI can be a genuine force multiplier for educators, freeing up time for the work that matters most: connecting with students and supporting their learning.