To help educators take their first steps into AI, we’ve selected three of the most up-to-date, reputable, and beginner-friendly trainings, all of which are free, self-paced, and designed with educators in mind. Each offers a different angle—hands-on classroom tools, generative AI for teaching, and big-picture understanding—giving part-time Jewish education professionals a grounded starting point for using AI thoughtfully and ethically.
1. DeepLearning.AI / Coursera — AI For Everyone (Andrew Ng)
Level: Conceptual beginner | Duration: ~6 hours | Cost: Free to audit | Certificate: Optional
A non-technical introduction to what AI is (and isn’t), how it works in society, and how to think about ethical and responsible use. Instead of focusing on tools, it builds foundational understanding and helps educators think strategically about where AI fits in their work.
Why it’s valuable for Jewish educators: This course supports big-picture thinking about ethics, equity, and human dignity—key concerns in Jewish education—and helps educators understand how AI can support their mission without overwhelming it.
2. Microsoft Education — Embark on your AI journey with free AI tools from Microsoft
Level: Beginner | Duration: ~1 hour | Cost: Free | Certificate: Yes
A practical, approachable introduction to Microsoft’s suite of free AI tools (Teams, Copilot, Microsoft 365) designed specifically for K-12 educators. This short module shows how AI can streamline daily tasks, free up time, support personalized learning, and help teachers create engaging content.
Why it’s valuable for Jewish educators: Many Jewish schools already use Microsoft tools; this course helps educators unlock AI features they already have to save time and enhance instruction.
3. Google for Education — Generative AI for Educators with Gemini
Level: Beginner | Duration: ~2 hours | Cost: Free | Certificate: Yes
This hands-on module focuses on generative AI (Gemini) and how teachers can use it to plan lessons, differentiate instruction, create assessments, and communicate more clearly with families. The course is practical, classroom oriented, and highly accessible.
Why it’s valuable for Jewish educators: Part-time and supplementary-school teachers often juggle many responsibilities. This course shows immediate ways AI can reduce prep time and support more individualized learning.
