Project-Based Learning & AI Academy
This hybrid professional development program is designed to help you build your skills in designing and facilitating powerful, project-based learning experiences. Together, we’ll explore an amazing suite of AI tools—including Gemini for Education, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, MagicSchool AI, School AI, and Brisk Learning—to help you create personalized, engaging, and culturally responsive learning environments that connect beautifully with New York State frameworks.
Here’s how it works: Each module contains flexible, self-paced activities—like readings, videos, and AI tool exploration—with a collaborative live session where we’ll come together virtually or in person to share ideas, design prompts, ask questions, and dive deeper into the work.
What is Generative AI? Unlocking Your New Co-Pilot for Learning
The Modern Learner in an AI-Powered, Culturally Diverse World
AI for a Culturally Responsive Curriculum Using the NYSED Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Framework
Unpacking the NYS Computer Science & Digital Fluency (CSDF) Standards
Designing for Inquiry: The Gold Standard of Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Your AI Co-Pilot: Mastering the Instructional Toolkit
AI-Powered Personalization and Differentiation
Rethinking Assessment: Authentic Evaluation & AI-Powered Feedback
Capstone Design Studio: Building Your PBL/AI Unit
Leading from the Classroom: Sharing, Sustaining, and Staying Curious
YouTube Channel: GoogleforEducation
Gemini in Google Classroom (video)
Applied Digital Skills (free lessons using digital skills with students)
Microsoft EDU Guides: https://aka.ms/EDUQuickGuides
YouTube Channel: Official Microsoft EDU Channel
YouTube Playlist: What’s New with Microsoft EDU
Prompting with Microsoft Copilot (video)
Kickstart Your School’s AI Journey with the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit
Teacher's Guide: Classroom Agreement on Using Generative AI Tools (PDF download)
Classroom Toolkit: Unlock Generative AI Safely and Responsibly
Teacher's Guide: Classroom Toolkit: Unlocking Generative AI Safely and Responsibly (PDF download)
Classroom Toolkit: Presentation for Students (PowerPoint Download)
MagicSchool AI
School AI
YouTube channel: SchoolAI
Brisk Teaching
Diffit for Teachers
YouTube channel: Diffit
ChatGPT
YouTube channel: OpenAI
Resource from the Northern Illinois University, Center for Innovative Teaching and learning
Common Sense Media
PBL
PBL Works from the Bucks Institute: PBL Learning for All
PBL Project Library (view lesson examples)
Designing Experiential Learning Experiences from EL Education
YouTube Video: Using a Learning Map to Build Exemplary PBL Units (K-5)
YouTube Video: How to Create a Storyboard for eLearning (Instructional Design)
Design Thinking
Technical Guides and Programs for Students
Applied Digital Skills (free lessons for Google users using digital skills with students)
Microsoft Classroom Toolkit: Unlock Generative AI Safely and Responsibly (can be used with any AI product, not just Microsoft Copilot)
Teacher's Guide: Classroom Toolkit: Unlocking Generative AI Safely and Responsibly (PDF download)
Classroom Toolkit: Presentation for Students (PowerPoint Download)
Articles and Websites
Carnegie Learning: The State of AI in Education 2025 (research study)
Teaching Responsible Use of AI (Google lesson plan)
Guides
Supporting Learning with AI-Generated Images: A Research-Backed Guide
Albany School District Resources (LTG 21-24 grant recipient website with AI Task Force resources )
Videos
Taking Teaching to (Performance) Task: Linking Pedagogical and Assessment Practices
Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) Program: Resources & Guidance
Project-Based Learning Boosts Student Achievement in AP Courses
UN DESA Policy Brief No. 174: Leveraging Strategic Foresight to Mitigate AI Risk in Public Sectors