Teaching AI Literacy in Schools

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Define key concepts of generative AI (GenAI) technologies
  


• Understand how GenAI technologies function
  


• Identify when to use and how to use GenAI while respecting data privacy, attribution, and transparency
  


• Understand basic AI prompting
  


• Apply criteria when evaluating AI-generated content
  


• Explain the source of bias and hallucinations in AI-generated content
  


• Select an appropriate GenAI tool to meet task objectives
  


• Explain societal impacts of AI, globally and individually
  


• Create teaching materials, based on AI literacy frameworks and guidelines, that support student learning of AI foundations, ethical AI use, AI evaluation, and societal impacts of AI.
  

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 delve into the history and growth of AI, learn essential AI terminology, understand the AI training process, and discover various AI technologies. The module also provides practical examples and strategies for teaching these foundational AI concepts to K-12 students, aligning 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, helping you discern when AI tools are appropriate for a given task. You'll learn essential prompting skills for effective interaction with AI and explore the ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content, including data privacy, attribution, and transparency. You'll explore scenarios for AI use, including brainstorming, collaborating, refining, and delegating tasks. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to create teaching materials, based on grade-level and context, that guide students towards responsible and effective use of AI.

Module 3: Evaluating AI

This module covers critical evaluation of AI-generated content and the selection of appropriate AI tools for specific tasks. You'll gain an understanding of how training data influences AI output, leading to phenomena like bias and hallucinations. You'll learn processes for assessing the reliability of AI output and strategies for choosing the right AI tool within the rapidly evolving AI landscape. By the end of this module, you will be able to create tailored teaching materials that empower your students to critically evaluate AI-generated content and make informed decisions about its use.

Module 4: Societal Impact of AI

This module explores the broad societal impacts of artificial intelligence, both globally and individually. You'll examine positive real-world applications of AI while also addressing critical concerns such as privacy, safety, environmental implications, plagiarism, and copyright. By the end of this module, you will be able to create teaching materials that help students understand and critically analyze the multifaceted societal impacts of AI.

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 online 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 6 months from your enrollment date or from the official course launch date, whichever is later.

Certificate of completion

Complete the course and earn 16 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

If you complete all 3 courses in the AI Literacy in Schools series, you will earn your AI Literacy in Schools certification from School Library Journal. 

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

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 NY. He was a participant in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and was honored as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008. In 2022, Dr. Harris was named a Senior Fellow for the American Library Association. Dr. Harris received his Ed.D. from St. John Fisher University in 2018 for research on helping teachers become confident teaching computer science. He is the lead on the LibraryReady.AI PK-12 curriculum project and a regular keynote speaker and consultant on library technologies including AI.

Course Instructors

Elissa Malespina, B.C.A.S.E, Teacher Librarian in New Jersey and Author of The AI School Librarians Newsletter on Substack

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 work, she's 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: Emerging Technology teacher. Rachelle has 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. She has more than seven years of teaching and presenting on AI in her classroom and working with educators worldwide.

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award and several presidential gold and silver awards for volunteer service. Rachelle presents regularly at conferences and provides professional development and coaching for educators and keynotes, strongly focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI and the Law, Cybersecurity, SEL, and STEM.

She is the author of ten books, including her most recent books, 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. She is also a frequent blogger for multiple publications. She is also a podcaster and spends a lot of time facilitating webinars and panel discussions.

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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.

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