Check out CodeJoy’s new asynchronous video course, “Practical AI for Educators!”
Why is CodeJoy Doing AI?
At CodeJoy, we understand that teachers are facing a tidal wave of AI advancements in education and need support navigating this new landscape. While approximately half of K-12 teachers have already used AI tools, many express concerns about the lack of professional development and guidance on safe and effective implementation. 
For those who haven't yet explored AI tools, the primary barrier is simply not knowing where to start. In a sea of AI training options, educators are seeking reliable, trustworthy sources to guide their learning journey. That's where CodeJoy comes in!
We believe that AI literacy is crucial for educators to empower themselves and their students in this rapidly evolving digital age. To follow the advice from MIT in their Perspective on Generative AI in K-12 Education: "The path [for AI in education] will become more evident as generative AI develops. In the meantime, schools should build familiarity with generative AI, explore pedagogical possibilities, and address immediate challenges around assessment and academic integrity." Over the past year, CodeJoy has developed and piloted an interactive experience for educators to better navigate this brave new world of AI. In partnership with the Infosys Foundation USA, we are proud to now present the asynchronous video course version of this experience!
Course Quick Facts
Title: Practical AI for Educators- Length: 3 hours 21 minutes
- Audience: K-12 educators, admin, and anyone else seeking meaningful experiences with AI
- Cost: FREE!
- Needed to Complete the Course:
- Internet connected device
- Registered on the Foundation's digital learning platform, Pathfinders Online Institute website (see instructions below)
- Benefits:
- It’s fun! It’s easy!
- Hang out with Kelsey and Matt!
- Upon completion, receive a Certificate of Completion from the Infosys Foundation USA.
- Bonus: Dazzle and annoy your friends and loved ones with AI knowledge!
Course Description
Build your own AI literacy, learn from experts, and earn a completion certificate! Discover how AI can be more than just a productivity tool — it's a powerful instrument for creative thinking and educational innovation. This highly interactive video series, led by CodeJoy’s Kelsey Derringer and Matt Chilbert, offers K-12 teachers and administrators a comprehensive exploration of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Participants will go through the process of writing an essay, using an LLM of their choice in every step of the process. Throughout the process, teachers will increase their own AI literacy, with an emphasis on foundational concepts, ethics, and societal impact. This course does not recommend using LLMs with students, as there are not yet evidence-based best practices; rather, it gives educators a meaningful experience to kick start their own exploration of how AI can help them with things like brainstorming, lesson planning, differentiation, giving student feedback, and more.
Along the way, participants will:
Discover LLMs’ strengths and weaknesses- Force (and fix!) hallucinations
- Use AI for research purposes
- Discover and discuss the use and ethics of AI detection tools
- Explore implications and applications of AI in their classrooms
- Practice writing and editing prompts
- Learn about various AI education frameworks from organizations such as ISTE and TeachAI
- Hear from experienced AI educators Aaron Maurer and Rachelle Dené Poth on topics like cheating, assessment, and the future of AI in education
Accessing the Free Course
The creation of this video course was sponsored by the Infosys Foundation USA, a non-profit organization that aims to increase access to inclusive computer science and maker education for all students and educators in the United States. 
CodeJoy has partnered with the Foundation many times over the past four years on initiatives like their national K12 teacher training program, Pathfinders Summer Institute, the C3 Grant Awards, the Infy Maker Awards, and the Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge. When Infosys Foundation USA tapped CodeJoy to produce a live AI course for Pathfinders Summer Institute 2024, we jumped in with both feet! When they asked us to then produce an asynchronous video course version of the experience, we got to work.
In order to watch the videos, access the Learning Document resources, and receive a certificate of completion, educators should visit the Pathfinders Online Institute, a dynamic digital learning platform designed to give K12 educators access to computer science and maker education courses and create an account. Once your account has been verified via email, you can login and search for “CodeJoy,” or find the course in the “Dynamic AI Resources & Tools” section.
Acknowledgements
First, we’d like to thank and acknowledge our friends, Aaron Maurer and Rachelle Dené Poth for their time, support, ideas, and co-teaching during CodeJoy’s summer 2024 live course. These two have both been teaching AI to educators for over a decade combined, which basically makes them “AI Elders” in this fast-paced AI environment. Their knowledge of tools, and ability to navigate through trends to the heart of an issue was invaluable in catching us up to speed. The video interviews we included in the AI video course represent just a small fraction of their collective knowledge on this topic. We highly encourage you to check out their blogs, books, and upcoming events!
Hopes and Goals
We’re so proud of our work on this course! We hope that you check out the course for yourself, and that you share it with an educator who could benefit from a deep and meaningful experience with AI. Use this link to share this blog post via email, social media, anywhere you’d like! Feel free to share screenshots, reactions, and encouragements on social media as well! You can use these hashtags and handles:
- CodeJoy: @CodeJoyEdu
- Infosys Foundation USA: @InfyFoundation
- Aaron: @aaronmaureredu
- Rachelle: @Rdene915
- Hashtags: #artificialintelligence #AIeducation #TeachAI #Education #AILiteracy