Iowa State Develops Micro-Credential Course to Train K-12 Educators in Critical AI Skills

The new online course aims to help teachers build AI literacy and prepare students for an AI-integrated future.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:11am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a laptop or tablet interface, repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the integration of AI technology in education.As AI tools become ubiquitous in classrooms, a new micro-credential course aims to equip teachers with the critical skills to leverage this technology responsibly and prepare students for the future.Ames Today

With the rapid evolution of AI tools, teachers may find themselves learning AI technology at the same time or even behind their students. To address this challenge, Iowa State researcher Evrim Baran and her team have developed a new micro-credential course designed to help K-12 educators build critical AI literacy skills using real classroom examples.

Why it matters

As AI becomes an integral part of students' lives and futures, there is a growing need for teachers to develop the skills and confidence to teach about AI systems, their limitations, and how to use them safely and effectively. This course aims to empower educators to better prepare their students for an AI-enabled world.

The details

The new Critical AI in Education Pathways micro-credential course is a self-paced, online program that covers the foundations of AI, the ethics of AI in education, pedagogical integration, implementation, and human-centered AI. The 20-25 hour course is designed for all K-12 educators, regardless of their technical background, and features scenario-based challenges and guided reflection using real classroom examples collected from teachers.

  • The Critical AI in Education Pathways micro-credential course is available now through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach store.
  • The course meets the requirement for one licensure renewal credit for Iowa teachers.

The players

Evrim Baran

Professor of educational technology and human-computer interaction, and the Helen LeBaron Hilton Chair in the college of health and human sciences at Iowa State University. She is the project director of the Critical AI in Education Pathways Initiative at Iowa State.

Winterset Community School District

A school district in Iowa that serves approximately 1,550 students and employs more than 100 teachers. The district is collaborating with Iowa State on the Critical AI in Education Pathways Initiative.

Chad Sussex

Assistant principal for grades 7-12 in the Winterset Community School District and the leader of the district's AI task force.

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What they’re saying

“Teachers are looking for guidance regarding AI that goes deeper than simple tutorials or product demonstrations. They want to build critical judgement skills - and not just proficiency - so they can better prepare their students for an AI-integrated future.”

— Evrim Baran, Professor of educational technology and human-computer interaction

“As AI continues to become an integral part of our lives - and our students' futures - there's tremendous value for all of us in sharing what we learn and understand with each other.”

— Chad Sussex, Assistant principal, Winterset Community School District

What’s next

The Critical AI in Education Pathways micro-credential course is available now through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach store. Educators can enroll in the self-paced, online program to start building their critical AI literacy skills.

The takeaway

This new micro-credential course from Iowa State University aims to empower K-12 teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively integrate AI tools into their classrooms and prepare students for an AI-enabled future. By focusing on critical thinking and responsible use of AI, the course helps educators develop the confidence and judgement to guide their students through this rapidly evolving technological landscape.