AI Literacy for Educators
AI is everywhere and is not going away. It proliferates in digital content, software, devices, cars, and mobile phones, virtually surrounding us. It cannot be ignored.
Most educators and educational institutions face three choices:
Ban, Bend, or Benefit.
First, though, we need to understand it. The only way is for us to experiment with it ourselves.
This page provides links to AI tools you can explore, examples of use, and an online course and/or workbook to guide you in experiencing AI tools,
But before launching, some advice from Claude.ai: “When it comes to AI in education, it’s important to strike a balance between embracing new technology and maintaining sound pedagogical practices.”
Essential AI Literacies for Educators
For Teachers’ Personal Use
DO
- Use AI to help streamline administrative tasks (lesson planning, creating rubrics)
- Check AI-generated content for accuracy before using it
- Use AI to brainstorm lesson ideas and differentiation strategies
- Document when and how you use AI in your work
- Keep up with AI developments in your subject area
DON'T
- Rely on AI exclusively for student assessment or feedback
- Share sensitive student information with AI tools
- Assume AI-generated content is always accurate
- Use AI to completely automate your teaching responsibilities
- Skip reviewing AI-generated content before using it
For Classroom Use with Students
DO
- Use AI to help streamline administrative tasks (lesson planning, creating rubrics)
- Check AI-generated content for accuracy before using it
- Use AI to brainstorm lesson ideas and differentiation strategies
- Document when and how you use AI in your work
- Keep up with AI developments in your subject area
DON'T
- Allow unrestricted AI use without guidance
- Penalize students for AI use without clear policies
- Ignore the need to teach AI literacy
- Use AI tools without parental/administrative awareness
- Assume all students have equal access to AI tools
AI Resources
LEARN’s Resource Page
- Using AI Workbook (LEARN)
- Understanding AI Impact in the Classroom
- 10 Tips for Assessing with Integrity in the Age of AI
Teaching Student AI Literacy
- Using GenAI: Examples, Referencing, and Student Use
- Tools for Teaching AI Literacy
AI lessons, presentations, simulations, worksheets and hands-on projects (Experience AI)
- AI Literacy Lessons for Gr. 6-12 (Common Sense Media)
- AI Student Use Assessment Posters (Canva)
- Student Reflection Tool for AI Use (uCalgary)
Free courses to learn AI use
- AI Foundations for Educators (Common Sense Media); Essential Guide to AI (AI in Education); Generative AI for Educators (Google); AI Starter (Harvard); GenAI Toolkit (BCcampus)
- What is an LLM & How Does it Relate to Chatbots (CNET guide)
