Alaska Staff Development Network

Working Together To Make Schools Better

Distance Education

New Classes

AI for Teachers: What You and Your Students Need to Know

3 Credits – Graded 
500-Professional Development Level Credit through Alaska Pacific University
Meets State of Alaska upper division requirements for teacher recertification.

  • Start Date: September 11, 2023.  Last day to register: September 17, 2023
  • End Date: November 19, 2023.
  • The course will take place on the Alaska Professional Learning Network (AkPLN). 

This course is for K-12 teachers of all subjects who are curious about integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their current curriculum. Absolutely no prior AI background is needed! The course will focus on practical applications of AI in education, ethical considerations, and hands-on experience with AI tools and resources.

Learn simple and engaging strategies for incorporating AI into what you already do in the classroom.

Contact Joanna Karet directly for questions specific to coursework: jkaret@alaskaacsa.org. 
Contact ASDN for registration or transcript questions.

Joanna Karet, PhD is an Online Assistant Professor at Colorado State University – Global Master’s of Science in Teaching and Learning Program.  She was a Visiting Research Professor with the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and holds an M.S. in Physiology/Biology and a B.S. in Kinesiology.  Dr. Karet holds a PhD in education and works as a researcher in the area of adult education and training.

Distance Education

Earthquakes and Tsunamis for the Classroom

Registration for this course can be completed online via UA Online.  See pages 3-7 of this packet for step-by-step registration instructions.  If you are unable to complete the online registration process, please contact the PACE office for assistance 907-786-1934.

Alaska is one of the most seismically active places on Earth. This online course will introduce educators to various seismology principles and techniques for using data in their classrooms.  We look to provide educators with Alaska specific information to tie in a sense of place and investment for Alaska’s students. Each lesson will include videos and
hands-on activities that accompany the videos with homework, discussion forum requirements and reflection assignments. The homework will help educators become acquainted with earthquake science, where the discussions and weekly reflections will encourage educators to think about their specific needs and methods for using the lesson resources and information.  This course is offered through  a partnership with the Alaska Earthquake Center and the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology’s Seismographs in Schools program. IRIS’s Seismographs in Schools Program serves teachers across the country and around the world using seismic instruments or real-time seismic data in K-16 classrooms.

This is a 2-credit, 500-level professional development course designed for classroom teachers at all levels. No prior knowledge of seismology or software is required. * Course participation is limited to the first 50 registrants.  Applicants who successfully complete the Seismology in the Classroom course will have their fees reimbursed.

Featured Distance Education

New Courses – STEM Across the Curriculum and Teaching Climate Change

3 Credits – Graded 
500-Professional Development Level Credit through Alaska Pacific University
Meets State of Alaska upper division requirements for teacher recertification.

  • Registration opens January 13. Last day to register January 27.
  • Course runs January 27 – April 20, 2020.
  • Coursework will take place on the Alaska Professional Learning Network (AkPLN) 

STEM Across the Curriculum

This course is for K-12 teachers of all subjects who are curious about integrating STEM concepts into their current curriculum. Absolutely no math or science background is needed. 

Learn simple and engaging strategies for incorporating STEM into what you already do in the classroom. Explore STEM concepts and resources, design and implement a STEM lesson, and reflect on your practice.  

Participants will engage in collegial conversations with educators within and outside of their school regarding STEM integration. Simple and complex integrations will be explored and participants will construct short and long-term plans for future STEM concept instruction within the context of their own classroom.

Teaching Climate Change

This course is for K-12 teachers of all subjects who want to address climate change but are not sure where to start. Teaching climate change can be challenging, especially in the politically charged era in which we now live. Learn strategies for teaching students about climate change in an unbiased way that is hopeful and inspiring, rather than doom and gloom. Explore climate change concepts and resources, design and implement climate change lessons, and reflect on your practice.  

Participants will engage in collegial conversations with educators within and outside of their school regarding teaching climate change. Simple and complex integrations will be explored and participants will construct and short and long-term plans for future climate change instruction within the context of their classroom.

Distance Education

Register Today!

ASDN now partners with Learners Edge to offer these one-credit courses:

Self-paced, media rich, online courses with textbooks mailed right to your doorstep.

  • Registrations Accepted May 30 – October 1, 2019
  • Coursework Due: November 15, 2019.  You may complete earlier and your grade will be processed upon your completion.
  • All courses approved by UAA PACE for 500-level professional development credit and may be used for Alaska teacher recertification.

NEW TWO, THREE & FOUR CREDIT COURSES