Critical AI in the Classroom: UBC Micro-Credential
Equipping Educators to Use AI Thoughtfully, Responsibly, and Inclusively
This course is designed for educators interested in developing their Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) literacy through collaborative inquiry.
Through both synchronous and asynchronous delivery modes, and a collaborative inquiry model, educators will develop the critical literacies and technical skills needed to navigate GenAI in education with a focus on K-12 teaching contexts. This three-module, hands-on course explores ethical considerations for instructional planning, potential learner use of AI and its impact on assessment.
With a focus on AI’s linguistic dimensions, including ethical implications, bias and multilingualism, the course supports informed and responsible decision-making in teaching and learning. By integrating technical and critical perspectives, educators will adapt short- and long-term planning within existing curricula to support responsible AI use in learning.
Course Details
Structure
This is an inquiry-based, online course that combines both asynchronous approaches and synchronous sessions. The course will take a socio-constructivist approach where learners, in professional learning communities (PLCs), will inquire into issues surfaced from a given case study as they pertain to their own teaching contexts and interests.
Learners will engage with the instructor and with one another through online discussions and activities as they co-create understandings of course content and develop their inquiry. The course will culminate in group presentations around the chosen area of inquiry.
As a UBC Micro-Credentialed course, the expectation is approximately 50 hours of engagement (approximately 5 hours per week over 10 weeks).
Schedule
There will be 5 online synchronous sessions held from 4:30-6:30pm PT on the below dates.
There will also be asynchronous engagement and small group work between synchronous sessions. The delivery platform will be UBC supported Canvas Catalog. A full syllabus will be provided to registered participants.
This is a tentative schedule, and the content is subject to change.
| Module | Topics | Synchronous Session Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1: Weeks 1 – 3 |
Understanding Generative AI in the Classroom
Week 1: Course Introduction; What is AI/GenAI? (Synchronous) |
Week 1: Tuesday, Jan. 6th 4:30 – 6:30pm PT |
| Module 2: Weeks 4 – 6 |
Impacts & Biases of GenAI in Education
Week 4: Overview/Review of Critical issues in AI (Synchronous) |
Week 4: Tuesday, Jan. 27 4:30 – 6:30pm PT Week 6: |
| Module 3: Weeks 7 – 10 |
Applications in the Classroom: Engaging in Collaborative Inquiry
Week 7: Case Study – Learning and Reflecting on practice with your PLC (Synchronous) |
Week 7: Tuesday, Feb. 17 4:30 – 6:30pm PT Week 10: |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will develop the following competencies:
- Understand and explain the strengths and limitations of Generative AI and begin to consider its impact on teaching and learning.
- Understand how linguistic, racial, confirmation, and other forms of bias are embedded in GenAI and learn how to minimize its impact on learners, especially in a multilingual classroom
- Recognize how GenAI might be of benefit to learners and be able to support learners in developing a critical perspective towards Generative AI.
- Critically understand, evaluate and explain to different audiences (colleagues, students, parents and caregivers, school administration) the role of GenAI and its impact on teaching and learning.
Expectations
In order to obtain a micro-certificate, it is expected that learners attend and actively participate in all synchronous class sessions, participate in asynchronous activities, attend synchronous meetings with their professional learning community, and submit all learning engagements.
Each module will culminate in the completion and submission of an assignment assessed on a complete/incomplete basis:
- Module One Learning Asset Creation: applying understandings of GenAI by creating or adapting a lesson, artifact, assessment, tool or other asset related to your current context.
- Module Two Critical Reflection: after engaging in the inquiry processes of scanning and focusing submit a critical reflection (audio or video) on critical issues in GenAI as they relate to your current context.
- Module Three Cross-Pollination Presentation: As a group, present the findings of your inquiry into an issue related to Generative AI, drawing from both the assigned case study and your context. Include insights into how your thinking or practice is evolving, what further questions have surfaced, and what next steps you propose.
Instructor
Yvonne Dawydiak
I was born in a small coastal community on Northern Vancouver Island, on the lands of the Quatsino First Nation and have continued to live, learn and work most of my life near the Pacific Ocean on the traditional unceded lands of Coast Salish peoples. I am a Master of Educational Technology graduate, a long-time (30+ years) K12 and post-secondary educator passionate about designing effective and inclusive learning experiences, both ‘in place’ and ‘virtually’, that help connect students with their teachers, with one another and with content and concepts. As Learning Design Manager in Teacher Education at UBC until retiring from this position in 2024, I had the privilege of working with faculty and teacher candidates to explore the impact of AI on teaching and learning and to design learning experiences that align with 21st Century approaches including critical digital literacies for face-to-face, blended and hybrid contexts. I have since worked as a consultant to school districts helping to build GenAI literacy and as an Adjunct Professor at UBC teaching Inquiry and other education-related courses.
Registration
The registration deadline is December 19, 2025.
Cost
The course fee is $1,150 + GST.
Discounts may be available for group registrations. Please contact info.opl@ubc.ca for more details.
Secure Payment
Payment is made through the secure UBC online payment gateway via credit card or accepted Interac cards (BMO, RBC, ScotiaBank, TD CanadaTrust). Please note, we are unable to accept Visa Debit cards.
If your school or district is covering costs, we can invoice them directly. Please contact us for group registration details.
*Schools and districts may register groups of educators, with the option of group discounts. Registering as a team also supports collaborative inquiry as a Professional Learning Community (PLC).
