Leveling Up Your Teaching Practice with AI – Level 1 – Foundations of AI

Start Date: February 3, 2026
End Date: March 20, 2026

For K–12 educators: Foundational concepts, ethical considerations, and classroom-ready strategies for using generative AI.

5 synchronous hours + 10 asynchronous hours

Upon successful completion, you will receive 1 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit, approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Request Info

Artificial Intelligence

400

Online Live,
Online Self-Paced

15 hours

1 CPD

Instructors:
James Diamond, William Gray-Roncal

Live session 1: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026
6 to 7:30 p.m. ET

Live session 2: Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026
6 to 7:30 p.m. ET

Live session 3: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET

Through hands-on practice and guided reflection, participants will learn how to responsibly use generative AI to create differentiated instructional materials and support student engagement. The course emphasizes ethical and equitable practice, with participants producing a ready-to-implement resource and a Reflective Application Portfolio that documents their learning.

This course is distinctive because it combines authentic research-informed pedagogy with hands-on practice, giving teachers both theoretical grounding and practical classroom-ready strategies. Led jointly by an education researcher and a research engineer, the course uniquely balances equity-centered pedagogy with technical depth and real-world implementation experience. Participants leave with concrete artifacts and a Reflective Application Portfolio that showcases not only their learning, but also their ability to apply AI responsibly and ethically in their own classrooms.

Knowledge and Skills

Foundational understanding of generative AI
Ability to evaluate AI tools for pedagogy, accuracy, and bias
Skills to adapt lessons for diverse learners using AI
Frameworks for ethical decision-making in AI-enabled classrooms

Capstone

Reflective Application Portfolio – participants compile artifacts, synthesize learning, and create a practical implementation plan.

Prerequisites

No prior AI experience required; familiarity with classroom teaching practices and digital tools.

Course Schedule

Module 1: Demystifying AI
Topics: AI basics, myths, and misconceptions

Module 2: Tools of the Trade
Topics: Exploring and critiquing AI tools

Module 3: AI in Action for Diverse Learners
Topics: Differentiated instruction with AI

Module 4: Teaching with Integrity
Topics: Ethics and equity in AI use

Module 5: Stronger Support for All Learners
Topics: AI for IEPs and inclusivity

Module 6: Letting Students Lead
Topics: Designing student projects with AI

Module 7: Next Steps and Really Good Ideas
Topics: Implementation planning and portfolio showcase

Meet Your Instructors

James Diamond, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Education

James Diamond is a learning scientist and educator whose research focuses on how emerging technologies can support equity, creativity, and deeper learning in K–12 and higher education contexts. He has extensive experience designing and leading professional development for teachers, with a special emphasis on generative AI, digital literacy, and authentic project-based learning.

Dr. Diamond has worked with school systems, nonprofits, and research centers to integrate educational technologies in ways that foreground student agency and inclusion. His publications and presentations span the fields of learning sciences, educational technology, and equity-centered pedagogy, with recent projects emphasizing the ethical use of AI to expand—not restrict—students’ opportunities to learn.

William Gray-Roncal, Ph.D.

Principal Research Engineer, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

William Gray-Roncal is a research engineer and applied scientist whose work bridges artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and education. At Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, he has led large-scale projects in machine learning, computer vision, and human–machine teaming, with a strong emphasis on translating cutting-edge research into practical, real-world systems.

Dr. Gray-Roncal also brings deep experience in mentoring and instructional design, supporting students and educators in developing the technical, ethical, and creative capacities needed for AI-enabled futures. His expertise lies in bridging authentic research pedagogy with engineering implementation, helping to ensure that innovation is both principled and actionable in educational practice.

Leveling Up Your Teaching Practice with AI – Level 1 – Foundations of AI