ChatGPT for K-12 Educators

Designing an AI-Powered Course to Support Differentiated Instruction

As part of my graduate capstone, I designed a self-paced, asynchronous course titled ChatGPT for K–12 Educators to help teachers use generative AI to create differentiated, accessible instructional materials. Motivated by California literacy data and my experience teaching in a high-needs elementary school, I focused on equipping educators with practical tools to support diverse learners, especially English Language Learners.

I applied both Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction and the Design Thinking model to structure the course for adult learners. The course includes interactive modules built in Articulate Rise, each incorporating prompt engineering strategies, real-world classroom scenarios, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. I developed instructional videos, simulations, downloadable templates, and knowledge checks to support hands-on application.

The design process included user interviews, usability testing, and iterative prototyping. I used tools like Snagit, Google Classroom, and Adobe Creative Cloud to develop content and ensure compatibility across platforms and devices. The course supports instructor autonomy while modeling best practices in accessibility, microlearning, and inquiry-based learning.

Key deliverables include:

A modular AI course aligned to reading comprehension standards
Differentiated lesson frameworks and prompt templates
A case-based simulation to support real-world application
Course evaluation and usability feedback to guide revision

This project demonstrates my ability to design engaging, accessible, and pedagogically sound online learning experiences by applying instructional design best practices, collaborating with subject matter experts, and aligning content with learning outcomes to support student success in a digital environment.

Course Flow Chart

The course is designed with adult learners in mind and is structured to build knowledge progressively while promoting practical application. It begins with an introduction that outlines the course purpose and learning objectives. An optional pre-assessment reflection prompt helps learners activate prior knowledge and set personalized goals for their learning journey.

The heart of the course consists of nine scaffolded modules. Each module guides educators from foundational AI concepts to the practical integration of ChatGPT into lesson planning. Modules include learning objectives, background readings, a short instructional video, a reflection prompt, relevant activities or assessments, and supplemental resources to deepen understanding and support real-world application.

To further support learners, a centralized resource section provides easy access to additional readings, tools, and websites that can be revisited throughout the course. A glossary defines key terms and concepts used across modules, helping to build a common language and shared understanding. The course concludes with a five-question evaluation designed to assess its effectiveness. Learner feedback from this evaluation informs ongoing improvements and ensures that course outcomes are being met.

Learner Personas

User Persona: Phil Ventura – Elementary Educator

This user persona represents Phil Ventura, a fictional yet research-informed educator designed to guide the development of my instructional design project. Phil is a 56-year-old elementary teacher who is empathetic, reflective, and passionate about student-centered learning. His goals include improving student engagement, differentiating instruction, and exploring generative AI to enhance lesson planning.

The persona outlines Phil’s motivations, challenges, and personality traits to help ensure that the course ChatGPT for K–12 Educators meets the real-world needs of its target users. This design tool helped me stay focused on crafting learning experiences that are practical, accessible, and relevant to educators navigating new technologies.

Scenario Prompts

Reflection Prompt: Encouraging Educator Application and Collaboration

This slide invites educators to reflect on how they might apply ChatGPT in their teaching practice. It encourages participants to identify a classroom use case, take a small action, and share their insights with peers in the course Slack channel—supporting real-world application and collaborative learning.

Downloadable Resources

The Five “S” Model for Prompt Engineering

This visual presents the Five “S” Model, a framework I integrated into the course to help educators write clear, effective prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT. The model outlines five key strategies: Set the Scene, Be Specific, Simplify Your Language, Structure the Output, and Share Feedback. These steps support educators in generating more accurate and relevant AI responses, while promoting clarity and purpose in instructional planning (AI for Education, n.d.).

Introductory Video: What is Artificial Intelligence and Why is it Important

This AI-generated video was created using Synthesia to introduce educators to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. It defines AI in simple terms, explains its role in everyday life, and highlights its potential in education. The video serves as an entry point for adult learners in my course, helping build baseline knowledge before engaging with more advanced applications like prompt engineering.

Next Project

Teaching Hard History in K-12 Education

The Imperative Need to Teach Hard History in K-5

Effectively educating students about American slavery provide a path for eradicating racism and white supremacy. The framework guides teachers on by providing information about what else students should know. For example, students should know that people in the United States didn’t agree about slavery. I learned from the framework how to teach students about capitalist economic systems by encouraging students to identify ways they consume goods and services. By teaching students’ the various layers of government students will learn the idea that “rules can change from place to place and gradually over time.” The guiding principles of Teaching Hard History framework leads to other conversations about current injustices affecting the Black community.

Next Project

Introducing Conversations about Race to Young Children

Slavery is hard to teach. The legacy of racism and white supremacy are still with us. Teachers walk the fine line between traumatizing students and sugarcoating the truth. The books I have chosen introduce the ideas of slavery and freedom to elementary students. The books engage students in conversations about the meaning and the value of freedom. I believe that schools must tell the story of the country’s origin early and often. This will help our students understand our past, our present and comprehend current events.

Pre-Study Essential Knowledge for Mumbet's Declaration Of Independence

Students should know that slavery is when a person owns another person as property.

Pre-Study Essential Knowledge for Henry's Freedom Box

Enslaved people wanted to escape to freedom. Although it was very difficult and largely impossible, some did manage to escape.

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