Artificial Intelligence: The Genie is Out of the Bottle, Now What?, Renfrow, Spring 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S28
Instructor:	Clarena Renfrow, M.Ed.
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	February 6 - April 18, 2026. Zoom meeting on February 6, 2026 at 10 am with the remainder of the course online.
Credits:	3 Credits
Tuition:	$1,195

Course Description

For better or for worse, AI is here to stay. This leaves many of us in a quandary about what to do with it. This course will cover the basics of AI, how to use AI as a Universal Design for Learning tool and an accessibility tool. We will cover how AI’s capabilities can help all students learn especially those with learning challenges. We will also look at how AI can assist teachers in creating UDL lesson plans.

Audience: All educators with a Bachelors Degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

To understand the concepts of artificial intelligence and its’ current capabilities
To understand how to integrate AI into lessons so that students learn how and when to use AI appropriately as a tool
To be able to use AI as a tool for lesson planning using Universal Design for Learning Methodologies
To use various AI tools to assist student learning especially for those who have learning challenges and disabilities.
To understand the ethical questions that we all should be thinking about (teachers and students)

Course Objectives: ISTE Standards for Educators:

Learner: Educators continually improve their practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning.
Designer: Educators design authentic, learner-driven activities and environments that recognize and accommodate learner variability.
Facilitator: Educators facilitate learning with technology to support student achievement of the ISTE Standards for Students.

Instructor

Clarena M. Renfrow, M.Ed., has been teaching Educational Technologies courses at the VTSU Center for Schools for 12 years and high school for 23 years. She also serves as a consultant/trainer for different school districts. She holds an AS in Business, BA in Education, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. She has also received certification as a Technology Integration Specialist through courses at the University of Vermont. In addition, she is a licensed teacher in the following areas: Business Education, Technology Integration, Online Teaching, and Work Based Learning. Ms. Renfrow has received several awards for her contributions in moving educational technologies forward to assist teachers and students: 2019 International Society of Technology in Education Recipient of the Making IT Happen Award, 2017 Goethe Institute STEM Transatlantic Outreach Fellow, and 2012 VITA Learn Project Ignite Teacher Award.