Course Description
Our comprehensive course on AI Cybersecurity and Online Safety for Educators is designed to empower teachers and school staff to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. As Artificial Intelligence becomes a staple in the classroom, it brings both innovative pedagogical opportunities and sophisticated new risks. This specialized training helps teachers understand the dual nature of AI: it serves as a powerful tool for enhancing learning while also acting as a vehicle for complex security threats.
This AI Cybersecurity and Online Safety for Educators course is suitable for all school staff (including primary, secondary, and VET levels) and will be adapted to meet the specific needs and digital infrastructure of your school environment.
Rather than focusing on technical coding, this course addresses the practical intersection of AI and school safety. Participants will learn to identify AI-generated threats such as deepfakes and "vishing," manage data privacy in AI platforms, and teach students how to use generative AI ethically and securely. By bridging the gap between technical protection and AI literacy, this course empowers educators to foster a culture of "AI-Resilience" within their institutions. Through case studies and hands-on workshops, delegates will develop robust school policies and classroom strategies that ensure AI remains a safe and productive addition to the modern learning environment.
Course Content
- The AI-Enhanced Threat Landscape: Understanding how AI is used to create sophisticated phishing, deepfakes, and voice-cloning scams targeting schools.
- AI for School Security: Exploring AI-driven tools that help identify malware, filter content, and protect school networks.
- Data Privacy and GDPR: Navigating the implications of using Generative AI (such as ChatGPT or Gemini) and ensuring student data remains anonymous.
- Deepfakes and Misinformation: Strategies for teaching students to verify content and detect AI-generated "fake news."
- Digital Citizenship and AI Ethics: Discussing algorithmic bias, intellectual property, and the ethical boundaries of AI use in student assignments.
- AI and Digital Wellbeing: Addressing the impact of AI-driven social media algorithms on student mental health and screen addiction.
- Protecting Digital Identity: Practical steps for teachers and students to safeguard their "digital footprint" against AI-driven data scraping.
- AI Policy Development: Drafting "Acceptable Use Policies" (AUPs) that specifically include guidelines for AI tools and academic integrity.
- Pedagogical Integration: Designing lesson plans that teach cyber hygiene through AI simulations and interactive tools.
- Incident Response 2.0: Developing protocols for responding to modern crises, including AI-driven cyberbullying or identity theft.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this AI and Cyber Security teacher training course, delegates will be able to:
- Identify AI-Driven Risks: Recognize and mitigate sophisticated threats like AI-generated phishing and deepfake-based social engineering.
- Implement AI Safety Protocols: Use AI tools responsibly while maintaining strict adherence to data protection (GDPR) and privacy standards.
- Teach AI Literacy: Deliver engaging lessons that help students differentiate between human and AI-generated content and understand algorithmic bias.
- Promote Ethical AI Use: Establish clear classroom guidelines for the secure and honest use of generative AI in schoolwork.
- Enhance Digital Safeguarding: Apply AI-aware strategies to detect and prevent modern forms of cyberbullying and online harassment.
- Develop School Policies: Create comprehensive digital safety and AI-use policies that protect the entire school community.
- Navigate the Future Safely: Evaluate the security and ethical standing of new AI educational technologies before implementation.
Assessment and Certificates
Assessment of performance will be through delegate-completed portfolio of work. The final course certification for successful completion is a college-issued “Course Certificate of Completion”, for each module studied. In addition, where applicable, delegates will receive relevant EuroPass certificates.
