Key points:
Google and MIT RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education) have announced a no-cost Generative AI for Educators Course designed to help middle and high school teachers use generative AI tools to personalize instruction to meet student needs, develop creative lessons and activities, and save time on administrative tasks.
The course is online, two-hours, and self-paced—with no previous experience required. Teachers who complete the course will earn a certificate that can be presented to their district for professional development (PD) credit.
The course combines Google and MIT RAISE’s technological expertise and shared commitment to promoting useful and responsible AI education.
According to a recent report, the majority of teachers agree that the future of education will include AI, but most teachers do not feel confident using AI tools and 80 percent of teachers want AI-specific professional development resources. To make AI training more accessible, the AI for Educators course is built for teachers across disciplines and provides hands-on practice to gain experience that can be applied through a number of generative AI tools. The course’s modules include how to use generative AI tools to modify content for different reading levels, structure activities to students’ interests, and accelerate everyday tasks like writing emails and creative assessments. Teachers will also learn how to input their specific lesson plans into generative AI tools to get ideas for grade-level appropriate exit activities.
Additionally, the course will give teachers a foundational understanding of AI, including what it is, the opportunities and limitations of the technology, and how to use it responsibly. Each of the course’s five modules are 40 minutes or less, allowing teachers to complete them during the standard professional learning or planning period.
“Google wants to ensure every educator can take advantage of the opportunities created by AI. AI tools can help teachers easily adapt lessons and materials to different learning styles and levels, and allow them to be more efficient at everyday administrative tasks. This gives educators time back to invest in themselves and their students,” said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. “We’re proud to collaborate with MIT RAISE on the Generative AI for Educators course to help teachers invest in their professional development, use AI to work more efficiently, and unlock new levels of innovation in the classroom.”
“MIT RAISE believes knowledge of generative AI is a key factor in creating a more equitable future for education,” said Cynthia Breazeal, director of MIT RAISE. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Google to offer the Generative AI for Educators Course – providing middle and high school teachers with no-cost AI training. This course empowers educators to confidently integrate AI into their teaching, creating richer and more accessible learning experiences for all students.”
School districts across the country will offer the Generative AI for Educators course, including California’s Anaheim Union High School District, Florida’s Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Illinois’ Chicago Public Schools, New Mexico’s Albuquerque Public Schools, Oklahoma’s Glenpool Public Schools, and Wisconsin’s Sun Prairie Area School District.
“We are excited to be a part of this partnership with Google to equip our middle and high school teachers with transformative Generative AI professional learning courses. This responds to the need for continuous innovation in our school district,” said Jose L. Dotres, superintendent of Schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. “By empowering educators with the latest advancements in AI, we’re not only uplifting their professional practices, but also giving them evolving tools to enhance the ever-changing landscape of teaching and learning.”
“The Google Generative AI for Educators opportunity for teachers will help put our educators on the front lines of generative AI opportunities for our 27,000 students,” said Michael Matsuda, superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District. “In a rapidly evolving world, our teachers cannot afford to fall behind in accessing powerful generative tools that will help them develop new approaches to teaching and learning.”
“Google and MIT’s Generative AI for Educators course marks a transformative moment for Oklahoma’s education. Having navigated the educational system as a dyslexic student and parent, I recognize the critical need for personalized learning,” said Nellie Tayloe Sanders, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education. “This initiative equips educators to unlock each student’s potential, tailoring learning experiences to their unique minds. It’s a step towards a future where education mirrors the individuality of a fingerprint, empowering students to shape tomorrow with
their ingenuity.”
This press release originally appeared online.
