Strategies for Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Educator Training Courses

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into K-12 education is becoming increasingly prevalent. Recognising this shift, it is crucial that teacher educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the potential harms of AI and prepare future teachers to harness its benefits effectively.

Teacher education programs must prioritise faculty training and professional development on AI technologies to build their AI literacy. This will enable them to deliver coursework specifically focused on AI methods and applications in education. Such coursework could include field-based experiences, AI simulation labs, and the development of AI literacy skills.

It is likely that most teacher educators have not been trained on AI and its use in the classroom, given that AI became widely available only in late 2022. To bridge this gap, pre-service teachers should be exposed to foundational knowledge around AI, even though a robust computer science education might not be feasible.

Situating AI technologies within an inclusive framework like Universal Design for Learning can help pre-service teachers focus on specific learning opportunities and outcomes. Exposing them to diverse scholars, such as Dr. Joy Buolamwini, can support their critical consumption of AI content.

The focus should be on equipping teacher educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to support pre-service teachers' AI foundational knowledge development and use of AI in teaching and learning spaces. Teacher educators have the responsibility to prepare pre-service teachers for AI use in K-12 education, and addressing AI in teacher education should be a priority.

Teacher education should also focus on building a technical understanding of AI tools and their ethical and legal implications. This includes fostering critical and creative AI literacy skills, such as post-editing and reflective use of AI applications. Integrating AI competence within subject-specific didactics and broader digital media education will prepare future teachers for responsible and informed AI use in their classrooms.

For educators seeking to enhance their AI literacy, free basic AI literacy courses are available from tech giants like Google and Adobe. However, it is important for teacher education programs to align with individual state standards and requirements while addressing AI in their curriculum.

If pre-service teachers have not been exposed to intentional AI preparation or seen AI used in classrooms, it may be challenging for them to tackle its use in K-12 education after graduation. Therefore, it is essential that teacher education programs prioritise the integration of AI into their curriculum to ensure that future teachers are well-prepared for the AI-driven future of education.