This Artificial Intelligence in Schools course is designed for teachers, education staff, leaders and other professionals who need a clear understanding of how generative AI can be used responsibly in schools and colleges. It explores both the opportunities AI can offer and the professional responsibilities that remain with staff when these tools are used.
This free course covers how generative AI works, how pupils and students are using it, practical applications in teaching and planning, common risks, data protection and safeguarding, assessment integrity, AI literacy and whole-setting governance. It also examines expectations around independent work, AI misuse and the responsible introduction of AI across an education setting.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Generative AI is increasingly influencing teaching, learning and assessment. Education professionals need to understand what these tools can do, where their limitations lie and how to make informed decisions about their use. This course supports proportionate, responsible practice while keeping professional judgement, learner needs and educational aims at the centre.
This course will help you to:
- Understand the difference between AI, generative AI, large language models and AI chatbots.
- Recognise how pupils and students may use AI for learning and schoolwork.
- Use AI more thoughtfully when planning lessons and creating resources.
- Consider appropriate uses of AI for differentiation and accessibility.
- Identify accuracy, bias, intellectual property and over-reliance risks.
- Protect personal and confidential information when using AI tools.
- Apply safeguarding principles to age-appropriate AI use.
- Set clearer expectations for AI use in learning and assessed work.
- Support learners to develop practical AI literacy and critical thinking.
- Contribute to a responsible whole-school or provider approach to AI.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define artificial intelligence, generative AI, large language models and AI chatbots.
- Explain how prompts and pattern-based generation influence AI responses.
- Identify common ways learners and education staff use generative AI.
- Describe appropriate applications of AI in planning, differentiation, feedback and routine tasks.
- Recognise key risks associated with AI-generated material.
- Explain data protection, confidentiality and safeguarding boundaries.
- Distinguish between appropriate AI support and misuse in assessed work.
- Describe how authenticity concerns should be reviewed fairly and proportionately.
- Explain the AI literacy skills learners need for responsible use.
- Identify key responsibilities involved in developing and reviewing an organisational approach to AI.
Artificial Intelligence in Schools Course Outline
The course is organised into six modules, progressing from the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through classroom use, risk management and assessment to learner AI literacy and organisation-wide governance.
Module 1: Understanding Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI
Learners will develop a clear understanding of artificial intelligence, generative AI, large language models and AI chatbots, including the differences between these terms. The module explains how prompts influence responses and how generative systems produce likely outputs from learned patterns rather than automatically verifying every claim. It also explores common ways pupils and students use AI for explanations, brainstorming, revision, practice questions and schoolwork, while recognising that access, experience and confidence can vary between learners.
Module 2: Using AI to Support Teaching and Learning
Learners will explore practical ways generative AI can assist with lesson planning, resource drafting, question design, differentiation and accessibility. The module considers how staff can use AI to draft explanations, scaffolds, revision materials, quizzes, feedback and routine communications while retaining responsibility for accuracy and suitability. It emphasises that curriculum intent, teaching decisions and knowledge of individual learners remain professional responsibilities, and that generated material must be reviewed before use.
Module 3: Managing Risk, Data Protection and Safeguarding
Learners will examine common risks associated with generative AI, including inaccurate or fabricated information, weak sources, bias, inappropriate content, intellectual property concerns and excessive dependence on generated material. The module explains the importance of using approved tools, protecting personal and confidential information and following local data protection arrangements. It also considers age restrictions, supervision, filtering and monitoring, harmful content and safeguarding responses, alongside the professional responsibility to check AI-generated material before it is shared or used.
Module 4: AI, Assessment and Academic Integrity
Learners will consider the difference between acceptable AI support and AI misuse, including how expectations may vary between classroom activities, independent work and formal assessment. The module covers the importance of following centre, qualification and awarding-body requirements, demonstrating a learner’s own knowledge and acknowledging permitted AI use where required. It also explains the limitations of AI-detection and plagiarism tools and outlines a fair process for investigating authenticity concerns using conversations, drafts, previous work and other relevant evidence rather than relying on a single detection result.
Module 5: Developing Learner AI Literacy and Clear Expectations
Learners will explore the practical AI literacy skills pupils and students need, including questioning generated claims, checking reliable sources, recognising bias, spotting fabricated information and understanding that confident language does not guarantee accuracy. The module also considers differences in access to devices, connectivity and AI services, and the importance of providing inclusive alternatives. It concludes by examining how staff can establish clear classroom expectations around permitted AI use, independent work, acknowledgement, information sharing and consistent application of organisational policy.
Module 6: Developing a Whole-Setting Approach to AI
Learners will examine how schools, colleges and other education providers can review and govern AI use across their organisation. The module covers auditing existing tools and practices, identifying controls and training needs, and aligning AI arrangements with safeguarding, equality, data protection, assessment, curriculum, procurement and technology policies. It also explores the responsibilities of senior leaders, governors or trustees, safeguarding leads, data protection officers, IT and cyber specialists, examinations staff and SEND professionals, together with the importance of reviewing policies as technology, experience and published guidance develop.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Teachers, lecturers and classroom practitioners.
- Teaching assistants and education support staff.
- School, college and education provider leaders.
- Governors, trustees and staff with oversight responsibilities.
- SEND, safeguarding, examinations, data protection and IT professionals working in education.
- Staff involved in curriculum development, assessment or digital learning.
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this artificial intelligence in the classroom course suitable for?
The course is suitable for education professionals who need to understand the opportunities, limitations and responsibilities associated with generative AI. This includes teaching staff, support staff, leaders and colleagues with specialist responsibilities relating to safeguarding, assessment, SEND, data protection or technology.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. The course begins with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and generative AI before progressing to classroom applications, risk management, assessment and organisational responsibilities. No previous technical knowledge of AI is required.
What will I learn on this course?
You will learn how generative AI produces responses, how learners and teachers may use these tools, and how AI can support planning, differentiation, feedback and routine activities. You will also explore accuracy and bias risks, confidentiality, safeguarding, assessment integrity, AI literacy and whole-setting governance.
Will this course help with day-to-day teaching practice?
Yes. The course provides practical guidance for considering AI-generated lesson ideas, resources, questions, adaptations, revision materials and feedback. It also explains the checks staff should make before generated content is used with learners.
Does the course cover practical skills?
The course focuses on practical decision-making rather than teaching a particular AI platform. It helps learners consider prompts, review generated material, establish classroom boundaries, protect information and respond appropriately when concerns arise about AI use or the authenticity of assessed work.
Does it cover safeguarding, data protection and professional responsibilities?
Yes. The course examines approved AI tools, confidentiality, personal data, age-appropriate use, harmful content, filtering and monitoring, safeguarding responses and professional accountability. It also explains how AI arrangements should connect with established organisational policies and responsibilities.
How does the course address AI use in assessments?
The course explains the distinction between permitted AI support and misuse, including expectations around independent work and acknowledgement. It covers JCQ-related principles for assessed work, limitations of AI-detection tools and proportionate ways to investigate concerns about authenticity.
Does the course cover how schools and colleges should manage AI?
Yes. The final module considers auditing current AI use, aligning relevant policies, allocating responsibilities and keeping arrangements under review. It looks at the contributions of leadership, governance, safeguarding, data protection, IT, examinations and SEND roles.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
Generative AI can offer useful support across education, but effective use depends on informed professional judgement and clear boundaries. This course provides a practical foundation for understanding AI, supporting learners, protecting information, maintaining assessment integrity and developing proportionate organisational approaches.
Enrol now to build your understanding of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
