(New Specialization! Spring 2025)
This specialization provides students with foundational knowledge of AI that are relevant to teaching and learning. Students learn to design AI-enhanced educational experiences that are user-centered and responsive to diverse learner needs and through critical evaluation, assess AI tools for effectiveness, ethics, and accessibility across various educational contexts. A focus on AI literacy and responsible use, supports skills to research and address AI's impact on learning, cognitive and social development.
Understand AI fundamentals in education such as foundational AI concepts (e.g., machine learning, natural language processing, and data-driven decision-making), especially as they relate to teaching and learning.
Design AI-enhanced learning experiences, applying principles of user-centered design to create AI-powered educational tools and experiences tailored to diverse learner needs and contexts, leveraging affordances of AI (e.g. adaptive learning, personalized educational content, assessment , creativity, etc)
Evaluate AI tools for education by critically evaluating existing AI-driven educational tools for efficacy, ethical use, and accessibility within various learning contexts and age groups (k-12, higher ed, informal learning, workplace learning, etc).
Foster AI literacy and responsible AI use by understanding AI’s potential impacts on the future of learning and society, along with ethical concerns and biases in AI. Engage in research methods specific to studying AI’s impact on learning and cognitive development. Understand ethical and responsible frameworks (e.g., fairness, accountability, transparency) in the design and use of AI and analytics tools for educational contexts.
AI focused EdTech Product Manager
Learning Experience Designer or Instructional Technologist with AI Focus
Data Scientist in Education
Ethics and Policy Advisor in AI Education
AI Literacy Educator/Trainer
Students specializing in AI & Education within an Educational Technology program can pursue careers that blend AI, data science, and educational expertise, addressing the growing demand for technology-driven solutions in learning environments.
These roles are typically available in edtech companies, research institutions, K-12 and higher education, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations focused on technology’s impact on learning.
You will need to take 3 relevant electives to complete this specialization.
See these sample electives*-- choose three electives from list, or by advisement
EDCT-GE 2197 Media Practicum: Field Internship (aligned with specialization)
EDCT- GE 2260 Building Artificial Intelligence Applications for Education
EDCT-GE 2114 Experience Design and Artificial Intelligence (SPRING)
Other electives
ECT has identified other relevant courses outside of our program for your consideration-- visit our student-created ECT "Airtable" Electives Database (click on the "non-ECT electives tab", then 'By Specialization' for electives outside of ECT). *Electives change from semester to semester. You should search ALBERT for additional related courses.
ECT Faculty Research with an AI focus
Events, Workshops and Conferences