Helping Educators Use AI to Enhance Teaching and Learning
Taiwanese educators participate in a new UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education course designed to help teachers build the skills and confidence to use AI effectively and responsibly.
How can educators integrate AI tools into lesson planning, instruction and assessment? And how can teachers empower students to use AI responsibly?
This summer, 94 elementary school teachers from Taiwan explored answers to these questions through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s online course, “AI-Empowered Teaching.”
As artificial intelligence continues to transform education, many educators are asking how they can effectively use AI to enhance teaching and learning. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2024 Teaching and Learning International Survey, 75% of teachers who do not use AI in their teaching say they lack the knowledge and skills to do so.
“AI-Empowered Teaching” is designed to give educators the tools, knowledge and best practices to successfully and responsibly integrate AI into the classroom. This summer’s offering — the first of its kind — was organized by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s International Programs in partnership with National Taiwan Normal University. UC Davis CPE’s International Program has provided teacher training for the university since 2024.
“I now know more about effective AI software that can help design courses, and I have a clearer understanding of the boundaries of how to help students without relying entirely on AI,” said one participant.
Building Skills to Use AI in the Classroom
The course provides educators with an understanding of the opportunities, challenges and considerations involved in using AI in education. This year's cohort focused on topics such as lesson planning with AI, appropriate tools for the classroom, assessment and feedback, and effective prompting. Participants also explored how to help students use AI responsibly while applying critical thinking skills.
“I got useful information on integrating digital technology into teaching,” said one participant. “It helped clarify some common misconceptions about digital integration.”
Group discussions gave participants opportunities to learn from one another, while hands-on exercises allowed them to apply what they were learning directly to their work.
“I feel very rewarded and happy to have learned about new AI tools,” said a participant. “I used them in practice and designed lesson plans for next semester's observation sessions!”
Other participants appreciated learning about specific AI platforms, including Brisk and MagicSchool, that can help educators save time on lesson planning, grading and other tasks.
Bringing UC Davis Expertise to Educators Around the World
“AI-Empowered Teaching” is one example of the career-enhancing custom programs available through UC Davis CPE’s International Programs. These programs are tailored to the needs of individual clients and learners while providing participants with access to UC Davis expertise and resources.
Instructor Lacey Boatman, a lecturer in the UC Davis School of Education, brought her teaching experience and expertise to help participants build confidence using AI effectively in their classrooms. In addition to helping educators develop foundational knowledge, she supported them in developing strategies for the ethical use of AI.
“The Taiwanese teachers brought such genuine curiosity and thoughtfulness to every discussion — exploring not just how to use AI tools, but when to use them, when to preserve the human element and how to navigate the ethical questions that come with this rapidly evolving landscape,” said Boatman. “Their passion and critical curiosity gave me great hope. This is exactly the mindset we need to prepare the next generation for an AI-shaped world."
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While this summer’s online offering for elementary school teachers from Taiwan was the first iteration of “AI-Empowered Teaching,” the course can be adapted for educators at any grade level. As AI continues to shape education, UC Davis CPE’s International Programs is helping educators build the skills and confidence to use artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively in their classrooms.