Teacher AI Literacy
Helicon's Professional Development Program prepares K-12 educators to understand, evaluate, and apply AI responsibly in their classrooms. AI can be used to expand teacher capacity without replacing teacher judgment. As teachers bring their pedagogical expertise, experience, and relationships with their students, AI can be used to increase the amount of time and energy available to build purpose-driven and engaging learning environments.
Format: 8 sessions · 18 hours total · synchronous online · bi-weekly schedule
Credit: Professional development credit eligible · state-approved
Audience: K–12 educators, all subject areas · no AI experience required
Tools: Google Gemini (premium access provided), NotebookLM, MagicSchool AI
What You'll Learn
AI Literacy
How large language models work, why hallucination happens, and what AI is genuinely well-suited for versus where human judgment is irreplaceable.
Prompt Engineering
A four-part prompting framework (Role–Task–Context–Format), iterative prompting strategies, and a personal prompt library built across the course.
Risks & Limitations
Mechanical risks (hallucination, citation errors, context degradation) and behavioral risks (cognitive offloading) — and how to protect against both.
Policy & Privacy Law
FERPA, COPPA, district guidelines, MSDE guidance, UNESCO and ISTE frameworks — the full legal and professional landscape teachers operate in.
Grading & Academic Integrity
A clear framework for where AI can assist in grading and where it cannot, plus detection tools and in-person authorship verification strategies.
Student Use & Assignment Design
Why students misuse AI and how to address the root cause through the 3X framework: Exploration, Expression, and Extension assignments.
Curriculum
Outcomes
Understand how AI systems work and where they break down
Apply privacy and policy frameworks to everyday classroom AI use
Use AI effectively for planning, differentiation, and feedback
Assess student work with AI assistance while maintaining teacher authority over qualitative judgment
Design assignments that are resilient to AI misuse and build genuine student engagement
Guide students in responsible, purposeful AI use
Deliverables
Personal AI prompt library
Personal AI safety checklist
Cohort AI use guidelines (collaborative)
Classroom AI use policy for your subject area
Final student AI literacy lesson (peer-reviewed)
Written reflections across all 8 sessions
Maryland Educators
Earn 1 MSDE CPD Credit
This program is offered as a state-approved continuing professional development course for Maryland K–12 teachers. View full course details, approval information, and session descriptions.
Pricing
Pricing varies by cohort size, institution type, and delivery format. We work with individual schools, districts, and networks to create a package that fits your needs and budget.
Contact Us for a Custom QuoteGet in Touch
Interested in bringing this program to your school or district? Contact us for more information.