What you will study
This course is designed to give you a practical and critical understanding of how Generative AI can be integrated into teaching. It is divided into three units, and on completion, you’ll earn a shareable digital badge to recognise your learning.
In Unit 1, Starting to use GenAI in teaching and learning, you’ll explore what Generative AI is, along with the benefits and limitations of using it in educational contexts. You’ll examine how GenAI has already been applied in teaching and learning and reflect on the ethical issues this use raises. Through hands-on activities, you’ll explore the capabilities of current GenAI tools and assess how they can support your own teaching. You’ll also consider how these tools align with different learning modes and support the development of cognitive skills while being mindful of equality, diversity, inclusion, and access (EDIA) implications.
In Unit 2, Action, you’ll focus on applying GenAI effectively, ethically, and creatively in teaching and learning. You’ll explore the development of critical AI literacy for both educators and learners and consider how these skills can underpin inclusive and informed pedagogy. You’ll also be introduced to a framework of teaching approaches for GenAI-era classrooms developed by Professor Mike Sharples. This is followed by the practical component, where you will be encouraged to develop a lesson plan and learning activities in collaboration with GenAI. You will put your critical AI literacy skills into practice by evaluating your activities for both pedagogical validity and ethical sensitivity.
In Unit 3, Bringing it all together, you will consolidate the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course. You’ll consider how GenAI can be used with care to minimise potential harm and maximise inclusive impact. You’ll also reflect on how GenAI may evolve and what this could mean for the future of teaching and learning. This unit includes a focus on adapting assessments and other aspects of practice to keep pace with emerging technologies.
Each unit takes approximately 3–4 hours to complete and includes a short quiz to help you test your knowledge and reflect on your learning.
You will learn
After completing the course, you should be able to:
- discuss how to embed GenAI in educational practices with a focus on equitable and inclusive approaches
- demonstrate awareness of key considerations in evaluating AI-based tools for pedagogical use
- critically evaluate GenAI tools and their outputs, including ethical implications and the importance of critical digital literacy
- support learners in developing the skills and competencies needed to live, learn and work with GenAI
Learner support
The course is taught entirely online, with the aid of a learning adviser to offer support where needed. You will have access to online forums that you are strongly encouraged to participate in, as they are an excellent source of support and information. These forums combine peer support with input from the specialist learning adviser(s). Other support is available via the StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
If you have a disability
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying LG010 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.