Brainsource Basic Training

Our basic training for communications professors follows a 4-session pattern that the U.S. Army has used for its boot camps since 1917.  Like the Army, the sessions will be challenging, but ours are meant to prepare professors to teach principles and applications of artificial intelligence in classrooms. 

Brainsource’s Basic Training includes live lessons and help sessions along with self-paced instruction.  At the end, professors will have a strong foundation in AI principles and practices and be comfortable and confident in teaching these new fundamental concepts and skills to students.

April 4 – May 2

Orange Session (week 1, begins April 4)

In the first session, you’ll learn the history and progression of artificial intelligence and gain an understanding of the fundamental technologies that enable AI.  Orange week will include:

1. Kickoff.  This 2-hour kickoff will ground you in fundamental AI technologies and teaching methods and set expectations for the full basic training.
2. Foundations of AI.  Big data, machine learning, natural language processing.
3. Readings.  Expect a significant amount of reading to give you a grounding in AI and its implications.

Blue Session (week 2)

In the blue session, you’ll be introduced to and interact with a variety of generative AI tools and technologies. The blue week includes:

1. GenAI tools.  Learn about commonly used multimedia GenAI tools along with tools to assist professors.
2. Prompt engineering.  Learn to structure prompts to get the best results from GenAI tools.
3. Individual and group assignments.  Individuals will complete tasks with GenAI tools. Groups will work together to generate outcomes for several GenAI assignments.

Green Session (week 3)

In the third, green session, you’ll begin to master the use of GenAI technologies and use them in real-world situations, so that you can impart this knowledge to your students.  Expect to dive into these assignments during green week.

1. Basics mastery.  Demonstrate skills in GenAI to generate useful text, images, audio, video and data analysis for practical uses in communications.
2. Strategic applications.  Learn to strategically deploy GenAI technologies.
3. The Light Bulb.  We take a page from the Army’s Basic Training and direct a “field training” exercise, where you’ll be assigned a real-world problem or opportunity to address with GenAI.  We call this field training “The Light Bulb.”

Black Session (week 4, ends May 2)

In the final, black session, you’ll tie together everything you’ve learned into methods and practices to teach GenAI in your classroom.  By the end of black session, you’ll feel comfortable and confident about teaching GenAI to your students.

1. AI tools for teachers.  Learn to leverage AI tools that are being used by educators to create and manage courses, and provide classroom support.
2. Pedagogical approaches to teaching with AI.  Explore and adopt the pedagogical approach that works best for you.
3. Synthesis and evaluation.  Combine your new-found knowledge into a synthesized course or approach to teaching. Each participant will share their course or approach to be evaluated by Basic Training peers.