AI Empowered Design Thinking (PD)

Welcome to a groundbreaking journey that blends the imaginative power of design thinking with the ever-evolving world of AI! This fully online course invites teachers to dive deep into the “how” and “why” of problem-solving in today’s classrooms. You'll embark on an adventure across eight dynamic modules, each one packed with hands-on activities, creative challenges, and the latest AI tools to bring fresh perspectives into the learning experience.

In this course, you'll learn how to cultivate empathy, ignite curiosity, and channel your inner innovator. Ever wondered how to create classroom solutions that are as unique as your learners? Or how to bring AI into the mix to make personalized, meaningful changes? From understanding your learners’ needs to prototyping solutions that tackle real-world problems, you'll explore how to make design thinking a sustainable practice in your classroom. Get ready to brainstorm, prototype, and iterate your way to new possibilities—with AI as your trusty sidekick!

Enrollment, Delivery, and Completion Information

• EDUC 5597: AI Empowered Design Thinking

• Course Completion: 45 clock hours awarded upon successful completion (graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)

• Enrollment Type: Open enrollment with self-registration

• Completion Timeframe: Six months from the date of enrollment

• Delivery Format: Fully online

• Purpose: K-12 professional development for recertification/relicensure and, where applicable, salary advancement.*

*Always check your state’s relicensure requirements and your school or district’s requirements before registering for a course to confirm how the course may be used. 

Recertification and Professional Advancement Statement

Successful completion of this course results in a satisfactory or unsatisfactory completion status. This course provides 45 clock hours of professional development that may be applied toward teacher license renewal or recertification requirements. Learners enroll as non-matriculated students, and course completion is recorded on an Idaho State University transcript.

Depending on state, district, employer, and applicable salary schedule requirements, these clock hours may also be eligible for salary advancement, lane movement, or other forms of professional advancement. Acceptance and application of clock hours toward recertification, salary advancement, or other professional purposes are determined by the relevant state board of education, licensing authority, school district, human resources office, collective bargaining agreement, district policy, or other approving entity. Educators are encouraged to verify eligibility and obtain any required pre-approval before enrolling.

Student Expectations

Learners are expected to complete all activities and engage with the content in good faith. The course includes academically engaging learning through readings, lectures, videos, applied activities, and other instructional materials designed to support professional learning and implementation in educational settings. Successful completion requires meaningful participation in all required course components and learning activities as described below:

• Spend the time necessary to complete all assigned learning materials, activities, and assessments in support of the course learning outcomes

• Demonstrate thoughtful and substantive engagement by applying course knowledge through high-quality, timely work that produces practical strategies, tools, resources, or artifacts ready for use in educational settings

Required Materials and Technology

Students must have regular access to a reliable laptop or desktop computer capable of loading and running standard software.

The computer must support word processing, presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat files (PDF), file downloads and uploads,  and viewing videos.

The learning management system supports mobile devices, but mobile access should be considered supplemental only. Mobile devices may limit a student’s ability to complete assignments successfully, particularly those involving file handling, multimedia creation, lesson plan development, or other course activities.

An up-to-date browser on any computer or device is required, along with a reliable internet connection.

General Technology Hardware for Online/Hybrid Courses - ISU Help Desk

No textbook purchase is required for this course.

Learning Outcomes

Understand and envision how combining design thinking with AI can cultivate learner skills in innovation, adaptability, and problem-solving, preparing them for a rapidly evolving future.

Integrate and support empathy -building into the design thinking process using AI tools.

Conduct focused research to deepen their understanding of learner personas.

Identify and define problems to solve using AI tools.

Create and refine innovative, user-centered solutions by leveraging AI tools to enhance ideation and iterative prototyping.

Learn to evaluate the effectiveness of their solutions, reflect on their design process, and apply continuous improvements to create impactful, user-centered outcomes.

Develop the skills and strategies needed to transform prototypes into fully realized solutions that effectively address identified needs and leverage resources for successful implementation.

Apply design sprints and AI to create innovative, human-centered solutions while building frameworks for continuous improvement in education.

Course Modules

Assignments and Grading

Successful course completion requires participants to complete all required learning activities and achieve a score of at least 80%.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to follow institutional policies on academic honesty. Plagiarism, cheating, or misrepresentation of work undermines learning and will result in appropriate consequences as defined by university policy. If you are unsure whether something is acceptable, ask before submitting work.

Accessibility and Disability Services

The university is committed to providing an accessible learning environment. If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, contact the Disability Services office as early as possible to ensure that reasonable accommodations can be arranged. Students without documentation who believe they may have a disability or learning difference are encouraged to consult Disability Services about evaluation options and campus resources.