-2.png?width=35&height=35&name=Untitled%20design%20(14)-2.png){kind=small}
Every school year brings new tools and ideas—yet few feel as exciting, or as full of possibility, as AI. From sparking fresh lesson ideas to streamlining feedback, AI is beginning to reshape the way educators teach and students learn.
But with every new opportunity comes new questions, and nearly 70% of teachers and school leaders say they haven’t had the professional development they need to feel confident using AI safely and responsibly.
That’s why we created AI Literacy Essentials for K-12: a free, self-paced certification course that makes AI approachable, practical, and supportive, so every educator can feel ready to bring AI into their work with confidence.
Why AI Literacy Matters in 2025-26
AI is no longer an optional add-on in schools. It’s already becoming part of everyday practice. Teachers are trying it out to plan lessons, give quicker feedback, and inspire new ways to engage students. But without the right support, AI can feel overwhelming or uncertain.
Building AI literacy gives educators the confidence to approach AI with clarity and purpose. It’s not about shortcuts; it’s about using AI safely, ethically, and in ways that truly support teaching and learning.
About the AI Literacy Essentials for K-12 Course
AI Literacy Essentials for K-12 was created by educators, for educators. The course is self-paced and takes about 90 minutes to complete—enough time to explore what AI is (and isn’t), learn practical strategies for safe and ethical use, and try out ways to apply AI tools that connect directly to classroom needs.
Here’s what you can expect:
-
Free and flexible: Complete it on your own schedule, wherever it works best for you.
-
Grounded in practice: Built around real classroom examples, not abstract theory.
-
Recognition-ready: Earn an individual professional development certification that highlights your skills and supports your growth.
The course is designed to give you clear, practical skills and the confidence to make thoughtful, responsible choices with AI in your daily work. And it comes from a trusted partner. Panorama has worked with thousands of school systems for nearly 15 years, combining the expertise of both AI specialists and former educators who understand the realities of classrooms, leadership, and student support.
Showcase Your Achievement
When you complete AI Literacy Essentials for K-12, you’ll earn an official certification and digital badge. Add it to your LinkedIn profile, highlight it in your email signature, or share it with your professional network to demonstrate your commitment to responsible, innovative AI use in education.
Bring the AI Literacy Essentials Course to Your District
While AI Literacy Essentials for K-12 is free for all individual educators, we also offer expanded support for districts that want to empower their full staff with AI literacy skills. Our premium package makes it easy to bring high-quality, self-paced, AI-focused professional development to every educator in your system, ensuring your team can build skills together and use AI responsibly.
What You'll Gain in This Course
Educators are already stretched thin, so adding AI into the mix can feel like one more burden unless it’s introduced in a way that truly supports teaching and learning. That’s why this course was designed to respect your time and expertise. It’s concise, practical, and rooted in real classroom challenges.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
-
Understand what AI can—and can’t—do in an educational context
-
Write and refine prompts that generate useful, accurate outputs
-
Evaluate AI-generated content with a critical eye, spotting errors, bias, or ethical concerns
-
Apply responsible practices that protect student data and align with school or district policies
-
Build the confidence to lead conversations in your school or district about safe, ethical, and effective AI use
What Educators are Saying
Don’t just take it from us—hear directly from educators who have already enrolled in the course:
"As a teacher who has been doing small scale LLM and GPT research since the Da Vinci model was around, I greatly appreciate the quality of this PD...I would totally recommend this to my colleagues so they can start their journey."
Timothy Chang, Teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District (CA)
"If you are looking for a simple one-stop shop to brush up on your AI knowledge and skills in the classroom, this course is worth every second of your time. Instead of overwhelming you with dozens of technical terms, this course models the best instructional practices by giving you small activities, checks for understanding, and application throughout. From the AI novice to the AI-centric educator, everyone can find a beneficial takeaway from this quick survey course!"
Dustin Rimmey, Academic Interventionist at Lawrence High School (KS)
"The resources were excellent. I liked the workbook as it helped me to see how I currently use AI and how to improve my use of it with purpose and intention."
Yashica Brooks, Coordinator of Instructional Technology at Troup County School System (GA)
Earn Your Certification: Enroll Today
Now is the perfect time to build your confidence with AI, at the start of a new school year when fresh practices can shape the months ahead. Join the growing community of more than 1,300 educators already enrolled in AI Literacy Essentials for K-12: free, self-paced, and certification included.
