Iowa State Launches AI Literacy Course for K-12 Teachers
Iowa State University has released a micro-credential course designed to teach K-12 educators how to teach about artificial intelligence, not just how to detect when students use it. The Critical AI in Education Pathways course addresses a gap: teachers are being asked to guide students through AI tools they're still learning themselves.
More than half of U.S. teens have used chatbots like ChatGPT for schoolwork, according to Pew Research Center data. One in ten teens say they do most or all of their schoolwork with chatbots. Teachers need preparation to address this reality.
What the Course Covers
The online, self-paced course takes 20-25 hours to complete and requires no technical background. It covers five modules:
- Foundations of artificial intelligence
- Ethics of AI in education
- Pedagogical integration
- Implementation
- Human-centered AI in education
Evrim Baran, a professor of educational technology at Iowa State, developed the course with her team. They collected real classroom examples from K-12 teachers to build scenario-based challenges throughout the modules.
"Teachers want to build critical judgment skills - not just proficiency - so they can better prepare their students for an AI-integrated future," Baran said.
Real Classroom Concerns
Teachers across elementary, middle, and high school have raised shared concerns about AI limitations. These include information accuracy, potential biases, cognitive offloading, and over-reliance on these technologies.
Some students use AI tools for personal advice or mental health support - a well-being concern teachers need to address. The course focuses on helping teachers engage students in critical thinking activities around AI rather than replacing reasoning and problem-solving with automated tools.
Licensure Credit Available
Educators who complete the course can request a renewal credit certificate from Iowa State's School of Education. The credit counts toward the required credits Iowa teachers must earn to maintain their educator license.
The course is available through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Iowa State is working with school districts including Winterset Community School District to refine the course based on classroom feedback. Chad Sussex, an assistant principal there, said the partnership has allowed educators and researchers to learn from each other in real time.
For more resources on teaching with AI, explore AI for Education or the AI Learning Path for Teachers.
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