AI Learning Modules: Educator & Instructor Preparation
University of Arizona | College of Education
A structured, four-module program helping educators build foundational AI literacy, establish ethical guardrails, master prompt design, and navigate AI tools with confidence.
Prepared by Austin Ross, M.Ed., MA
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What Is U of A GenAI?
A secure, FERPA-compliant platform giving University of Arizona students, faculty, and staff access to state-of-the-art AI tools in a campus-supported environment.
What It Supports
  • Teaching and learning
  • Research and inquiry
  • Workplace productivity
  • Responsible AI use
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Module 1
Foundations of AI in Education
Many educators have not yet had the opportunity to develop a shared understanding of what AI is, how it works, and how it can support teaching and learning. This module builds the conceptual foundation needed to approach AI thoughtfully and responsibly. Click here to access the webpage.
AI Literacy
Understand how generative systems produce outputs, their limitations, and where human expertise remains essential.
Instructional Integration
Explore how AI supports planning, differentiation, and student engagement without replacing professional judgment.
AI as Support Tool
Approach AI as an instructional complement — not a substitute — for human expertise in teaching.
Module 2
Guardrails for Responsible AI Use
As AI tools become more accessible, educators must establish clear guardrails for responsible and ethical use. While AI can increase efficiency, educators remain responsible for verifying outputs, protecting student privacy, and ensuring alignment with learning goals. Click here to access the webpage.
Privacy Protections
FERPA and COPPA compliance when using AI with student data and instructional materials.
Verification Routines
Systematic review of AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and instructional appropriateness.
Avoiding Automation Bias
Maintaining professional responsibility and critical judgment when using AI-assisted materials.
Module 3
AI Prompting for Lesson Design
Effective AI use in education depends on how clearly and intentionally educators communicate with these systems. This module focuses on prompt design as a practical skill — guiding AI tools toward useful instructional outputs by specifying purpose, audience, constraints, and desired outcomes.
The goal is not to automate lesson planning, but to use AI as a collaborative brainstorming and drafting partner that supports idea generation, differentiation, and instructional design. Click here to access the webpage.
01
Define Purpose & Audience
Specify who the lesson is for and what learning goal it serves.
02
Set Constraints & Outcomes
Include grade level, standards, and desired output format.
03
Review Through Instructional Lens
Evaluate AI outputs and refine before finalizing materials.
Module 4
Tools and Decision Systems
As the number of AI tools available to educators grows, a clear decision-making process becomes essential. This module introduces the broader tools landscape and helps educators think critically about capabilities, limitations, and risks associated with different AI platforms. Click here to access the webpage.
Stoplight System
A decision framework that evaluates privacy considerations, instructional appropriateness, and potential risks before selecting a tool.
Responsible Adoption
Build consistent, defensible choices about AI use that uphold ethical and instructional standards in professional practice.
Navigate New Technologies
Equip educators with structured frameworks to evaluate any emerging AI tool — not just those available today.
Your Learning Journey
The four modules are designed to build on each other — from conceptual understanding to practical application and ethical decision-making.
Each module deepens educator readiness to integrate AI responsibly, moving from foundational literacy through to confident, principled tool selection.
Key Terms & Resources
Why Terminology Matters
A shared vocabulary is essential for educators engaging with AI. Understanding key terms helps build common ground across departments and grade levels, enabling more productive conversations about responsible AI integration.
Explore the Glossary
The Key Terms resource provides definitions for foundational AI concepts referenced throughout all four modules — from generative AI and large language models to FERPA, automation bias, and prompt engineering.
Glossary of Key Terms
Before diving into AI prompting, it helps to have a shared vocabulary. The terms below span instructional design, assessment, and AI policy — all of which inform how we plan, prompt, and verify AI-generated lesson materials.
Instructional Design
  • Anticipatory Set — A short activity at the start of a lesson to capture attention and activate prior knowledge.
  • Scaffolding — Temporary supports that help students learn new concepts before gradually removing assistance.
  • Differentiation — Adjusting instruction, materials, or assessments to meet varied student needs and readiness levels.
  • Closure — A short end-of-lesson activity that summarizes learning and checks for understanding.
Assessment & Engagement
  • Engagement Strategies — Instructional approaches that actively involve students and increase participation.
  • Formative Assessment — Ongoing checks for understanding used during instruction to guide teaching decisions.
  • Summative Assessment — Evaluations at the end of a lesson or unit to measure student learning.
AI & Policy
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Computer systems that perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as generating text or analyzing patterns.
  • Prompt Frameworks — Structured approaches for writing prompts that help AI generate clearer, more accurate responses.
  • FERPA — The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, protecting the privacy of student education records.
  • COPPA — The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, protecting personal information of children under 13 online.
Get Started Today
Join the University of Arizona's educator preparation program and build the AI literacy skills your students and institution need. All modules are available through Google Classroom and the U of A GenAI platform.
U of A GenAI Platform
Secure, FERPA-compliant access to leading AI tools for teaching and research.
Google Classroom
All four modules, key terms, and resources organized in one accessible space.
Instructor: Austin Ross
Developed for University of Arizona Educator/Instructor Preparation Programs.