Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI Courses and Textbooks

LinkedIn, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, databricks, DeepLearning.AI, and many others offer free or low-cost courses on generative AI ranging from beginner to advanced. You can learn the basics of how Large Language Models are created and trained, the fundamentals of prompt engineering, or the advanced skills necessary to build your own AI applications. Many classes are available directly from individual companies and others are offered online through Coursera, LinkedIn, CodeCamp, and colleges and universities. A few courses are featured on this page. With offerings changing frequently, it is possible links may be broken. If you encounter broken links, please email librarian@nic.edu.

2023 EDUCAUSE Horizon Action Plan: Generative AI

Teaching and Generative AI: Pedagogical Possibilities and Productive Tensions is an OER textbook freely available under Creative Commons non-commercial use limited license.

The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education” (Positively reviewed for Higher Education instruction at the International Center for Academic Integrity.)

As of May 3, 2024, $29.99 on Amazon.com.

If you have some experience with Python or TypeScript, Microsoft's free Generative AI for Beginner's Course is an opportunity to learn how to build your own gAI applications. 

DeepLearning.AI offers several beginner to advanced short courses for those with some development experience. 

Coursera offers a wealth of certificate-awarding courses on generative AI from basic introductions to more advanced development. Coursera requires a monthly subscription.

LinkedIn, like Coursera, offers numerous introductory to novice level courses covering all aspects of the use of genAI. Courses, however, are only available to LinkedIn premium subscribers.

Faculty interested in a greater understanding of the transformative influence of AI in higher education have many options available. Below are only a few. All have a modest fee associated with enrollment.

Teaching with AI @ Auburn ($89) is a highly-respected course that can be completed in approximately 8 to 10 hours. The course description lists the following goals:

• Explore AI and its implications for teaching and learning in higher education—especially
  those relating to academic integrity
• Critically reflect on your own theory of change as it relates to student learning and the implications of generative AI on your beliefs about course design 
• Evaluate examples (good and bad) of courses and course elements redesigned for AI 
• Experiment with AI tools, redesign assignments, and get feedback 
• Access a (growing and evolving) repository of research on teaching with AI 
• Exchange ideas on topics related to AI in the college classroom and higher ed writ large with others in the course
• Engage your own department colleagues in the conversation to ensure students in your program have a consistent, comparable learning experience no matter who is leading the class

Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning with AI

This workshop from the Idaho State Board of Education covers GenAI tools to enhance student engagement and learning. The workshop provides examples of AI teaching projects from across Higher Ed, discuss opportunities and challenges in using AI with students, and shares ideas and experiences from Idaho faculty using AI in their classrooms.