Empowering Educators Through AI Literacy

AI literacy means being able to think critically about, communicate with, and use artificial intelligence in learning. Many preservice and in-service teachers, as well as university instructors, are familiar with AI but have limited experience using generative AI (GAI). This gap makes it harder to prepare students for AI-rich classrooms. The study explored how teachers built confidence, skills, and ethical awareness through hands-on experiences with GAI in an upper-level multimedia course. In this study, the researchers examined how both future and current teachers engaged with GAI to strengthen professional teaching practice. 

The study was part of a 13-week online undergraduate course in Fall 2023 with 35 pre-service and in-service teachers from Western Canada. While most were undergraduates in teacher education, some were practicing teachers taking the course for professional development. Participants completed scaffolded activities designed to build AI literacy. These included designing chatbots, debating with ChatGPT, and collaborating in online discussion forums. The major project asked participants to co-author an open-access textbook on teaching with GAI. To support the work, course instructors (who also served as researchers) provided low-stakes writing opportunities, clear templates, and feedback. This approach combined individual experimentation with collaborative knowledge-building in an accessible, structured way. 

Pre-service and in-service teachers reported higher confidence and awareness when using AI in educational settings. They valued lessons about ethical practice, empathy and inclusivity. The co-authored textbook created a sense of pride and accomplishment, and participants described feeling more prepared to use AI tools. Benefits included practical strategies for differentiated instruction, positive modelling of responsible AI use, and preparing students for equitable learning environments. Instead of highlighting numbers, participants stressed personal growth and professional readiness. Gains were reported across cognitive, emotional, and teaching practices, showing the power of experiential learning.