AI Fundamentals PD
Practical, customized professional development for real classrooms.
AI is already showing up in schools – in lesson planning, assessments, student work, and classroom conversations.
What teachers need isn’t a crash course or a policy doc. They need clarity, confidence, and practical ways to move forward.
That’s exactly what the AI Fundamentals PD is designed to provide.
Who This PD Is For
This PD is built for:
- Classroom teachers across grade levels and subjects
- Instructional coaches and specialists
- School leaders and administrators
- Curriculum, technology, and innovation teams
It is intentionally designed for mixed-experience groups – from educators who are brand new to AI to those already experimenting but looking for structure, guardrails, and shared language.
How the PD Is Customized
(Before We Even Start)
Every school is in a different place with AI.
So the PD never starts with slides – it starts with listening.
Before the sessions, TomoClub runs a short AI readiness survey with participating staff. This helps us understand:
- How familiar educators are with AI tools
- What they’ve already tried (if anything)
- Where they feel excited vs. uncertain
- Key concerns around ethics, accuracy, academic integrity, or student misuse
- What teachers actually want AI to help with (time, differentiation, planning, feedback, etc.)
This data directly shapes the PD:
- Which modules are emphasized
- How much time is spent on foundations vs. application
- Which tools are explored
- The pacing of sessions
- The classroom examples used
Teacher feedback consistently shows that pacing and relevance matter, especially when staff start at very different comfort levels.
PD Structure & Delivery
The AI Fundamentals PD is typically delivered as:
5 hours total, either:
- in a single intensive session, or
- split across multiple shorter sessions
Sessions are:
- Live and interactive
- Hands-on (teachers actively try tools)
- Discussion-based
- Grounded in real classroom scenarios
Time is intentionally built in for:
- exploration
- questions
- peer discussion
- reflection
Educators repeatedly note that doing the work themselves – not just watching – is what makes the PD stick.
PD Curriculum & Modules
The PD is organized into four core modules, designed to build confidence step by step.
Awareness
Foundations of AI
60 minutes
This is where teachers begin.
AI is introduced in a safe, non-intimidating sandbox environment, with a focus on building a shared baseline across staff.
Teachers explore
- What AI is – and what it isn’t
- How common AI tools actually work
- Why AI outputs can be inaccurate or misleading
- Common misconceptions about AI in education
The goal here is confidence.
By the end of this module, teachers feel grounded, not overwhelmed.
Efficiency
Smart Workflows & Time Savings
90 minutes
Teachers learn smart prompting and workflows to support everyday tasks such as:
- Drafting lesson plans and unit outlines
- Creating quizzes and formative assessments
- Building rubrics and instructional materials
- Adapting content for different grade levels or needs
These workflows are designed to automate repetitive tasks and save 8+ hours per week, based on teacher feedback and real classroom use.
Everything in this module is meant to be usable the very next day.
Ethics & Assessment
Responsible Use & Academic Integrity
60 minutes
Teachers dive into:
- Ethical use of AI in K–12
- Identifying bias and “hallucinations”
- Understanding limitations of AI tools
- Protecting academic integrity
- Preventing misuse without banning AI altogether
Educators work through real classroom scenarios and discuss
how to design assignments that:
- encourage critical thinking and creativity
- invite ethical AI use
- reduce opportunities for misuse
This module helps schools develop shared guardrails and shared language around AI.
Personalization
Differentiated Instruction
90 minutes
The final module focuses on supporting diverse learners – without increasing teacher workload.
Teachers learn how AI can help:
- Customize assignments for different learning levels
- Support English language learners
- Extend learning for advanced students
- Adapt materials for students with learning differences
The emphasis stays on teacher judgment, with AI acting as a support tool – not a replacement.
Tools Explored During the PD
Tool selection is adapted based on school context, but commonly includes:
- ChatGPT
- Google Gemini
- NotebookLM
- Gamma
- Brisk
- Otter
- Canva
Teachers consistently value being shown which tool fits which task, rather than being overwhelmed with too many options.
What Teachers Say After the PD
Exit forms and feedback highlight consistent outcomes:
- Increased confidence using AI tools
- Clearer understanding of AI’s strengths and limitations
- Reduced anxiety around cheating and misuse
- Strong interest in continued learning and follow-up
- Appreciation for hands-on time and practical examples
Teachers frequently note that the PD:
- exceeded expectations
- felt immediately applicable
- helped them rethink how AI could support their work, not replace it
What Makes This PD Different
This isn’t about pushing AI adoption.
Teachers are not expected to:
- become experts overnight
- use AI constantly
- abandon their professional judgment
Instead, they leave with:
- clear starting points
- ethical guardrails
- practical workflows
- shared language across staff
- confidence to guide students thoughtfully
Most importantly, teachers leave knowing they’re not figuring this out alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI PD for teachers?
The AI PD is a 5-hour, live training designed to help teachers understand AI and use it confidently in their classrooms. The program is customized for each school and focuses on practical, responsible classroom use of AI
How is the AI PD customized for each school?
Before the training, we conduct an AI readiness survey with participating educators.
This helps us understand current comfort levels, concerns, and use cases. The PD is then customized to meet teachers where they are, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Do teachers need to learn specific AI tools?
No. The program is tool agnostic.
We focus on core concepts and teaching strategies that apply across tools, so teachers are not tied to any single platform.
Do schools need to pay for AI tools to run this PD?
No. We teach using free AI tools only.
Schools do not need to invest in software or licenses to apply what teachers learn.
Do teachers need prior experience with AI?
No prior experience is required.
The program starts with foundational concepts and builds confidence step by step.
What topics are covered in the AI PD?
- How AI tools work, in simple terms
- Academic integrity, bias, and AI hallucinations
- Ethical and responsible classroom use
- Practical strategies for planning, assessment, and personalization
What support do teachers receive after the PD?
What impact has the AI PD had so far?
- 93% of teachers gaining confidence within two weeks
- 8+ hours saved per week through practical AI use
- High adoption because strategies are easy to apply immediately
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