OpenAI
ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers

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OpenAI

ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers

Kara McCloskey Mendes
Olivia Pavco-Giaccia

Instructors: Kara McCloskey Mendes

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Apply high-impact ChatGPT use cases to save time for daily classroom and administrative tasks

  • Adapt and personalize AI workflows to meet the specific needs of your students, subject area, and classroom context

  • Use AI responsibly and confidently with strong practices around privacy, and human-in-the-loop review

Details to know

Recently updated!

December 2025

Assessments

8 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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There are 7 modules in this course

Welcome! We're so glad you're here to explore ChatGPT with us. This short module gives you a guided introduction to ChatGPT—how it works, how to move around the interface, and how to personalize it so it supports your teaching style. You’ll practice sending your first chat, engage helpful features like Memory and Custom Instructions, and begin to explore how these tools can save time and streamline everyday classroom tasks. By the end, you’ll be set up with the basics and ready to dive into the rest of the course.

What's included

1 video9 readings1 assignment

By the end of this module, you’ll understand how ChatGPT works, how it forms responses, and how to use that knowledge to get clearer, more reliable, and more classroom-ready results.

What's included

7 readings

In this module, you’ll learn the art of 'prompting'—how to talk to AI to get exactly what you need. We'll introduce a simple yet powerful framework (Task, Context, Expectation) that turns requests into clear instructions. You'll learn to write effective prompts from scratch and, just as importantly, how to refine them to get even better results.

What's included

7 readings2 assignments

From drafting parent emails to designing rubrics and brainstorming lesson hooks, these examples are designed for you to borrow, adapt, and make your own. Here’s a look at the practical ways teachers like you are using ChatGPT every day.

What's included

3 videos7 readings

It’s time to level up your toolkit! In this module, we’ll introduce you to essential tools that let you create images (ImageGen), collaborate on documents (Canvas), talk with AI hands-free (Voice Mode), and get up-to-date information from the web.

What's included

1 video11 readings2 assignments

As you start integrating AI into your work, it’s crucial to do so thoughtfully. This important module provides a simple, practical framework for using AI ethically and safely. We'll cover key principles like protecting student data, keeping a 'human in the loop,' and being transparent, so you can feel confident and prepared to be a responsible AI-powered educator.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

In this final module, we’ll summarize the key skills you’ve developed throughout the course. This recap will ensure you’re prepared for the ChatGPT Skills Assessment. Successfully completing this assessment will earn you your official Virtual Teacher Certificate. It's time to demonstrate your mastery. Let’s take this final step together to solidify your expertise!

What's included

1 video2 assignments

Instructors

Kara McCloskey Mendes
OpenAI
1 Course34 learners
Olivia Pavco-Giaccia
OpenAI
1 Course34 learners

Offered by

OpenAI

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Frequently asked questions

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.