The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded funding to research teams to launch new investigative projects. The Research Enhancement Program (REP), administered by UTA’s Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation, offers seed funding to investigators to help them test new ideas and explore new directions that could lead to future innovations and more competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and nonprofit foundations.
Researchers: Lauren Weisberg, Department of Teacher and Administration Preparation
Research focus: Helping K-12 teachers use artificial intelligence meaningfully and responsibly in classrooms
What’s the idea?
The project aims to help teachers make thoughtful and effective decisions about using artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 classrooms. Dr. Weisberg will work directly with local teachers through a series of virtual co-design workshops to learn how they are currently using AI, what opportunities and challenges they see, and what kinds of support they need to integrate AI into their teaching. Teachers’ experiences and ideas will be used to develop a research-based microcredential designed to help both practicing teachers and future educators use AI in meaningful and responsible ways. By involving teachers directly in the design process, the project aims to ensure that the resulting microcredential is grounded in authentic classroom needs and experiences.
Why it matters
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing education, but many schools and teachers are still trying to determine how to use it effectively and responsibly. Many educators lack practical professional learning that helps them make thoughtful instructional decisions about when and how AI can support teaching and learning. This project addresses that gap by grounding AI professional learning in teachers’ real classroom experiences, concerns, and needs. The resulting microcredential could help prepare both practicing teachers and future UTA-prepared educators to navigate AI in ways that support student learning, ethical use, and meaningful classroom practice.
Real-world use
The findings could help UTA create a research-based microcredential that prepares both current teachers and future educators to integrate AI into classroom instruction in meaningful and responsible ways. Over time, the work could support broader professional learning efforts and future statewide or national programs focused on AI in education.
Next steps
The project will recruit local K-12 teachers to participate in virtual co-design workshops focused on AI use in schools. Dr. Weisberg will examine teachers’ experiences, concerns, instructional goals, and ideas for meaningful AI professional learning. Those findings will be used to develop the curricular map and design framework for a future AI-focused microcredential. The project will also provide early evidence to support larger external grant proposals aimed at developing, piloting, and scaling the microcredential.
In their words
“AI is changing education rapidly, and teachers deserve a voice in shaping how it is used in their classrooms. My goal is to create opportunities for educators to help define what meaningful, responsible, and effective AI integration looks like in practice.” — Lauren Weisberg