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About This Course
Help students understand, question, and use AI in meaningful, responsible ways.
On-Demand Materials:
Available starting March 24, 2026
Access all course modules and materials for 6 months after the start of the course.
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way students learn, search, and create, and it’s up to educators to ensure students learn to use these tools responsibly. This timely, self-paced course provides K–12 librarians and educators—at any level of AI familiarity—with a comprehensive introduction to teaching AI literacy.
You’ll begin by building a foundational understanding of essential AI concepts and tools, including the art of prompt engineering. From there, you’ll explore strategies to help students critically evaluate AI-generated output, apply AI thoughtfully in their work, and engage in meaningful conversations about ethical considerations.
Through practical examples and applied assignments, you’ll gain the confidence and expertise to create tailored lesson plans and instructional materials for any grade level, grounded in established educational frameworks and guidelines.
This course is part of a three-course certification series, AI Literacy in Schools . You may register for each course individually or enroll in the full series at a $100 discount.
ENROLL NOW
Return to Full Course Catalog
AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:
- Define key concepts related to generative AI (GenAI) technologies.
- Understand how GenAI technologies function.
- Identify when and how to use GenAI while respecting data privacy, attribution, and transparency.
- Apply basic AI prompting strategies to support learning tasks.
- Evaluate AI-generated content using clear criteria, including accuracy, bias, and credibility.
- Explain the sources of bias and hallucinations in AI-generated content.
- Create teaching materials grounded in AI literacy frameworks and guidelines that support ethical AI use, evaluation of AI output, and understanding of AI’s societal impacts.
THIS COURSE CONSISTS OF 4 ON-DEMAND MODULES:
Module 1: Understanding AI
This module introduces key concepts in artificial intelligence (AI) and explores how generative AI technologies function. You’ll examine the history and growth of AI, learn essential terminology, understand how AI is trained, and explore a range of AI technologies. You’ll also review practical examples and instructional strategies for teaching foundational AI concepts to K–12 students, aligned with established AI literacy frameworks and guidelines. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create teaching materials tailored to your context that support students’ understanding of AI fundamentals.
Module 2: Using AI
This module focuses on the real-world application of AI technologies and helps you determine when AI tools are appropriate for specific tasks. You’ll learn essential prompting skills for effective interaction with AI and explore ethical considerations related to AI-generated content, including data privacy, attribution, and transparency. Scenarios such as brainstorming, collaborating, refining, and delegating tasks will be explored. By the end of this module, you’ll be equipped to create grade-level and context-appropriate teaching materials that guide students toward responsible and effective AI use.
Module 3: Evaluating AI
This module addresses the critical evaluation of AI-generated content and the selection of appropriate AI tools for specific purposes. You’ll explore how training data influences AI output, including issues such as bias and hallucinations. You’ll learn processes for assessing the reliability of AI-generated information and strategies for choosing the right AI tool within a rapidly evolving landscape. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create tailored teaching materials that empower students to critically evaluate AI output and make informed decisions about its use.
Module 4: Societal Impact of AI
This module explores the broad societal impacts of artificial intelligence at both global and individual levels. You’ll examine positive real-world applications of AI while also addressing critical concerns such as privacy, safety, environmental impact, plagiarism, and copyright. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create teaching materials that help students understand and critically analyze the complex societal implications of AI.
COURSE ADVISOR & INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Christopher Harris, Director, Libraries and Digital Learning Services for Genesee Valley BOCES; Senior Fellow, American Library Association
 Dr. Christopher Harris is the Director of the School Library System for Genesee Valley BOCES, an educational agency supporting 22 small, rural districts in Western New York. He participated in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2008. In 2022, Dr. Harris was honored as a Senior Fellow of the American Library Association. He earned his Ed.D. from St. John Fisher University in 2018 for research focused on helping teachers become confident teaching computer science. Dr. Harris leads the LibraryReady.AI PK–12 curriculum project and is a frequent keynote speaker and consultant on library technologies, including artificial intelligence.
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Elissa Malespina, B.C.A.S.E., Teacher Librarian in New Jersey and Author of The AI School Librarians Newsletter
 Elissa Malespina is an award-winning school librarian, educational consultant, former school board member, and author who specializes in helping educators and librarians integrate AI into teaching and learning. She is the author of AI in the Library: Strategies, Tools and Ethics for Today’s Schools and writes The AI School Librarians Newsletter, a Substack publication focused on practical AI tools, ethical guidance, and instructional strategies. Outside of her professional work, she is a proud mom, wife, and a fierce advocate for intellectual freedom and educational equity.
Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, JD, Spanish and STEAM Educator, Consultant, Attorney, Author
 Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and Spanish and STEAM educator. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology. Rachelle specializes in artificial intelligence, AI and the law, AI and the environment, cybersecurity, and STEM, and has more than seven years of experience teaching and presenting on AI in classrooms and professional settings worldwide. She is an ISTE-certified educator and recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award, as well as multiple presidential gold and silver awards for volunteer service. Rachelle is the author of ten books, including What the Tech? An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More! and How to Teach AI: Weaving Strategies and Activities Into Any Content Area, and is a frequent blogger, podcaster, and webinar facilitator.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE:
This course is designed for K–12 school librarians and educators at all levels of AI knowledge.
THIS WILL BE A SELF-PACED, ASYNCHRONOUS COURSE.
EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT:
This course includes 4 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You’ll earn 16 hours of PD credit and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.
ON-DEMAND ACCESS:
You’ll have access to all course materials for six months after the course start date.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION:
Complete the course and earn 16 professional development credit hours. A certificate will be emailed to you upon completion.
If you complete all three courses in the AI Literacy in Schools series, you will earn your AI Literacy in Schools certification from School Library Journal.
ACCESSIBILITY:
All video recordings feature auto-captioning. Please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration if you require any special accommodations, and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.
SUPPORT:
For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.
DISCOUNTED RATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.
Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price!
| Rate | Early Bird | Standard |
| Deadline |
February 22, 2026 |
March 24, 2025 |
| Ticket Price |
$249 |
$289 |
GROUP RATES
We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.
For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.
Request Discounted Group Pricing
For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.
TESTIMONIALS
"My biggest takeaway from this course has been the confidence to approach the subject of AI while being in a low-technology/strict AI usage teaching environment."
– Michelle A. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"I have practical ideas of how I can embed mini-lessons on understanding AI in what I do. I also feel like I actually have a strong understanding of how AI works, which helps me understand how I can use it and teach about it with students. Great course! I highly recommend it."
– Venisha B. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"My biggest take away is that AI is not scary like I thought it was. I have begun to use AI tools in my professional and personal life now. I avoided it prior to taking the course."
– Chris B. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"It is a great introductory course for librarians everywhere. AI literacy is of paramount importance for librarians as it is not just a technological skill but a fundamental expansion of their traditional role as information professionals. The rise of AI, particularly generative AI, is reshaping how information is created, accessed, and evaluated. Librarians are uniquely positioned to guide their communities through this new landscape. I am in a TK-5 school and host Digital Citizenship lessons in my library. I am planning to add this information in those lessons, especially for my 3-5 graders."
– Tuhina L. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"My biggest takeaway from the course was tangible methods for teaching students about AI. I went into this course with very little knowledge and I now feel more capable of facilitating discussions and creating lessons that will support my students with their AI literacy skills."
– Amelia L. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"I feel more confident teaching AI tools, ethical use, and concerns around AI to students. I created some lesson plans that I can use at my school and I am thankful for the time and expertise that the instructors shared. The instructors were excellent!"
– Laurie T. (Fall 2025 attendee)
"This course and the instructors have been outstanding in every way. Not only is the course full of relevant and helpful information, it is presented in a digestible way. I found this course challenging but joyful. I am using most everything I learned in my upcoming lessons. These instructors are models for all librarians. Plus, the course itself is set up to support learning. I am so appreciative for these instructors' expertise and communication styles!"
– Fall 2025 attendee
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Register by March 24, 2026
4 On-Demand Online Course Modules
Recommended for K-12 school librarians with all levels of AI knowledge.
