New Course Helps Educators Master AI

As artificial intelligence continues to shape various industries, educators are increasingly looking for ways to integrate this technology into the classroom. A new, comprehensive course designed by Millersville University's Dr. Ollie Dreon, professor of Educational Foundations, offers an in-depth, hands-on approach to learning and teaching with AI.

"With AI becoming an integral part of our world, this course is an essential resource for educators looking to stay ahead of the curve," says Dreon. "By learning how to teach with, teach about, and learn alongside AI, educators will be better equipped to prepare their students for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The International Society for Technology in Education, a nonprofit organization that helps educators use technology to revolutionize learning, obtained a grant from Microsoft to support Dreon in developing the online course.

Millersville joined the Educator Preparation Programs for Digital Equity and Transformation, a partnership between ISTE, the U.S. Department of Education, and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Dr. Lara Willox, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, emphasized the importance of staying at the forefront of best practices in teacher preparation. "Millersville is renowned for preparing exceptional educators, and the collaboration with ISTE and AACTE offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technological advancements in education," she said.

"I met folks from ISTE at AACTE, and we talked about how we needed to prepare pre-service teachers to teach with AI," says Dreon. "After a few conversations, they reached out and asked if I would develop the course."

In addition to being offered across the United States, the 5-hour course will be translated into Spanish and offered to teacher candidates in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Columbia. Dreon says teacher candidates who complete the course will receive a certificate. He also plans to use modules from the course within his classes at Millersville.

"The course is structured across five modules that blend multimedia content, interactive activities, and self-paced projects to help educators understand AI's potential and pitfalls," says Dreon. "It begins with a foundational overview of AI and progresses through practical applications and ethical considerations, culminating in a final assessment that certifies teacher candidates' understanding. Each of the five modules is carefully crafted to guide educators through different aspects of AI-both as a tool for learning and as a topic to teach in the classroom."

The course is designed to be flexible, allowing teacher candidates to learn at their own pace. Each module includes multimedia content and interactive activities to check understanding, so teachers can immediately apply what they've learned.

At the end of the course, participants will take a quiz to assess their understanding. The course allows unlimited attempts to reach an 80% passing score, ensuring that every participant can succeed. Upon completion, teacher candidates will receive a digital certificate to document their achievements and add to their professional development portfolio.