Google and CDW have launched new AI training programs for K-12 and higher education educators, combining quick online microsessions with in-person workshops to help teachers integrate artificial intelligence into their classrooms without overwhelming already packed schedules.
Professional development time is scarce for educators managing lessons, planning, grading, and administrative work. AI-focused training adds another layer of difficulty because of how fast the technology is changing. "The pace of change with AI is so rapid, it can be daunting for educators to keep pace," said Jennie Magiera, global head of education impact at Google. "And it's a second-order change to incorporate AI into classrooms, creating novel ways of learning, assessment and feedback."
Snackable, stackable microsessions
Google partnered with ISTE+ASCD to build the Google AI Educator Series, a set of modular training sessions designed around specific classroom use cases. Each microsession takes about 15 minutes and stands alone, so teachers can fit learning into prep periods or lunch breaks. Topics include using AI for educator communications, building student inquiry skills, and generating tailored learning scenarios.
The sessions are aligned with ISTE's Standards for Educators and its profile of an AI-ready graduate. "We wanted to make sure that we're leading with the skills and opportunity, not the technology," Magiera said. "ISTE helped us stay focused on the 'why' and the educators' needs as we built the content."
Teachers and administrators can stack multiple microsessions to create custom learning paths for a grade level or school goal. Facilitator guides and slide decks are available for group sessions. If a school runs a Tech Tuesday, for example, a grade-level lead can download the materials and lead an effective session with no outside presenter. After completing a short assessment, teachers earn a Google digital badge.
"The goal is for teachers to be 100% in the lead, not just in the loop," Magiera said. "We don't want AI to be pushed on them. Our goal is to give teachers agency so they can use AI to learn themselves and then help students explore and learn too."
CDW's in-person workshops build foundations
CDW runs full-day, no-cost professional development workshops in regions across the country. The sessions give educators and IT administrators a hands-on introduction to using AI as a thought partner and brainstorming tool. "Right now, districts are actively seeking guidance on designing clear AI policies, ensuring safe student usage and integrating the technology effectively into their classrooms," said Tammy Lind, senior strategist for Google education programs at CDW.
During the workshops, participants practice using Google's Gemini to adapt materials and differentiate learning. Lind described the sessions as deeply collaborative: "Nobody knows everything about teaching and learning with AI. We all learn from each other." Because CDW works closely with Google, the workshops naturally reinforce and build on the Google AI Educator Series content. Lind said teachers often arrive with a skill they've just learned from the microsessions, and the workshop expands it.
Tailored Gemini Education Services
CDW also offers Gemini Education Services as virtual sessions or full-day onsite engagements. These walk through Gemini's features for both educators and IT administrators, covering licensing, data privacy, security, and prompt development. Sessions can be customized to a school's strategic goals and often include deeper exploration of Google Meet, Sheets, and Docs. "Many districts have strategic plans or specific goals that they want to address with both their AI leadership teams and educators," Lind said. "Our CDW Gemini Education Services can be tailored to the specific needs of the school."
Why this matters for educators
AI is not a tool that educators can learn once and forget. The programs described here acknowledge the real constraints on teacher time and the need for incremental, just-in-time learning that gives teachers control. The combination of 15-minute standalone sessions, full-day collaborative workshops, and tailored services means a teacher or administrator can start small, test ideas immediately, and then deepen skills on their own terms. Magiera put it simply: "Given the speed and scale of progress, the ability to scaffold their learning will serve educators well in the long term."
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