AI Empowered Social Emotional Learning (PD)

This course empowers educators to understand and apply SEL practices with AI support, promoting emotional intelligence, empathy, resilience, and community in classrooms and schools. Through eight modules, educators explore the core SEL competencies with practical AI tools to enhance the social and emotional development of learners and educators. Each module culminates in a significant activity that synthesizes learning, and the final capstone project integrates the entire course’s knowledge.

Building on this foundation, the course begins by introducing the fundamentals of SEL and demonstrates how AI can enrich each competency—from self-awareness and self-management to social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Participants engage with hands-on AI activities (such as AI-assisted journaling, role-playing simulations, and data analysis prompts) that supplement existing teaching strategies and preserve the educator’s role at the forefront.

Subsequent modules address inclusive practices, data ethics, and creating equitable learning environments by customizing AI-assisted tools for diverse learner needs. Educators learn to align SEL and AI goals with broader school objectives, refining strategies through a continuous improvement lens that includes monitoring, reflection, and timely adjustments.

By the end of the course, participants have a cohesive framework to implement SEL schoolwide, enhanced by meaningful AI integration. The capstone project synthesizes all module concepts into a comprehensive SEL plan, equipping educators with a sustainable approach to supporting emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience in their classrooms and communities.

Enrollment, Delivery, and Completion Information

• EDUC 5597: AI Empowered Social Emotional Learning

• 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

Acquire knowledge of SEL frameworks and gain awareness of AI’s ability to enhance practices in K-12 education.

Learn to model emotional intelligence and discover AI’s potential to support a human-first approach.

Increase ability to build learner self-awareness and self-management skills through educator and AI strategies.

Learn routines that enhance empathy and relationships through learner social skill development, supported by AI.

Improve confidence in supporting responsible decision-making by learners through AI-assisted modeling.

Understand how to create equitable and inclusive school environments by leveraging SEL principles, AI tools, and educator advocacy to support all learners.

Discover ways to measure SEL growth and progress using traditional and AI-supported approaches.

Gain experience creating a comprehensive SEL plan that leverages AI for long-term success.

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.