AI Empowered Media Literacy & Critical Thinking (PD)

In the digital age, media literacy and critical thinking are essential for navigating the vast information landscape. Media literacy enables individuals to critically engage with media content and understand its influence. Critical thinking involves skillfully analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to guide belief and action. In this course, participants will learn to: Access and critically evaluate different types of media sources. Analyze the influence of media messages on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Apply rational, skeptical, and unbiased analysis to evaluate information. Utilize AI tools to enhance media analysis and critical thinking processes. The primary objective of this course is to empower educators with the knowledge and tools to foster these essential skills in their students, leveraging AI to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences. Participants will explore the integration of AI in analyzing media literacy, understanding biases, and enhancing critical thinking, preparing them to guide students in becoming informed and critical consumers of media.

Enrollment, Delivery, and Completion Information

• EDUC 5597: AI Empowered Media Literacy & Critical 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

Analyze the nature of thinking and evaluate different types of thinking by using AI to create a visual report.

Apply the steps of SHARP critical thinking to real-world problems by using an AI Assistant. 

Identify and explain fallacies of logic and their impact on reasoning and decision-making through AI-generated analyses of each fallacy.

Understand how to dialogue concerning controversial issues to lead structured and respectful discussions on controversial topics using an AI debate tool.

Analyze media literacy, the media, and different types of media sources by using AI tools and resources.

Assess Social Media and Its Impact on its audience using AI.

Analyze bias and perspective in media using AI to create a media bias chart.

Evaluate persuasive techniques in advertising and marketing using AI.

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.