Welcome to LEARN AI

Image of the CPTC mascot, Simon. Welcome to Clover Park Technical College's LEARN AI Certificate course!

We’re so glad you’re here to kick off your journey into the exciting world of artificial intelligence.

At CPTC, our commitment to equity and excellence drives everything we do. We believe that every learner, regardless of background or prior experience, deserves access to high-quality, hands-on training that prepares them for tomorrow’s opportunities. That’s why this course is designed not only to teach you the fundamentals of generative AI, but also to ensure you can apply these tools in ways that uplift your community and advance inclusive practices in your field.

We’ve built this curriculum to fill a critical need for practical AI training. Instead of abstract theory, you’ll engage in real-world activities that mirror the challenges and successes you’ll encounter on the job: drafting clear prompts that produce reliable results, evaluating AI outputs for fairness and accuracy, and integrating generative models into everyday workflows.

But AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a partner in creativity and problem solving. Throughout this course, you’ll learn to think of AI as “co-intelligence,” leveraging its computational strengths alongside your own critical judgment to amplify your impact. Whether you’re brainstorming innovative solutions, automating routine tasks, or exploring new forms of expression, you’ll walk away confident in your ability to collaborate with AI in an ethical, equitable, and effective way.

Let’s embark on this adventure together where your ideas, your perspective, and your innovative spirit meet the power of AI. Welcome aboard!

Course Description

Explore the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with this introductory course designed for beginners. In this six-hour introductory course, you’ll learn how generative AI affects everyday life and how you can use it in school, your career, or at home. Participate in hands-on activities to gain foundational skills in generative AI technologies. You’ll practice creating clear prompts that instruct AI to generate text, images, and multimedia content. You’ll also discuss the importance of using AI ethically by learning how to spot biases, protect privacy, and use AI responsibly. By the end of this introductory course, you’ll have a strong grasp of key generative AI concepts and will have completed the first 6 hours of Clover Park Technical College’s 30-hour AI certificate course. Let's get started!

C1M1 Why You Should LEARN AI Course Image

Learn AI: Module 1: Why you should LEARN AI

Kick off your AI journey with this essential intro to how AI impacts everyday life, enhances learning, and supports your future career. Whether you're curious or cautious, this module gives you the clarity and confidence to begin using generative AI effectively and ethically.

LEARN AI: Module 2: Ethics & AI

In this video, we look at some of the ethical issues with generative AI. To learn more, optional readings are provided below to broaden your understanding.

LEARN AI: Module 3: Prompt Engineering

Learn how to craft effective prompts that produce smarter, more useful responses, then build your own AI-powered travel itinerary—personalized, efficient, and surprisingly creative.

LEARN AI: Module 4: Image Generation

Explore how AI transforms text into powerful visuals, then try it yourself using Freepik’s AI image generator.

LEARN AI: Module 5: Interview Coach

Ace your next interview with AI role-play—practice, feedback, and confidence in real-world scenarios.

LEARN AI: Module 6: Portfolio

Showcase your work, build a digital presence, and highlight your new AI skills on LinkedIn.

Certificate Outcomes

Develop foundational skills in using generative AI tools across various media formats (text, image, video, and audio).
Apply ethical and responsible AI practices by analyzing societal impacts, recognizing biases, and ensuring privacy and security.
Demonstrate proficiency in advanced prompt engineering to create effective interactions with AI.
Integrate AI applications in specialized fields by completing an elective with a field-specific project.
Create a comprehensive portfolio of AI-driven projects, reflections, and artifacts showcasing your growth.

LEARN Framework

The LEARN framework is a learner-centered cycle that guides students from first exposure all the way to community engagement:

Listen: Core concepts via mini-lectures, videos, or podcasts.
Explore: Scaffolded activities (labs, worksheets) with peer support.
Apply: Transfer knowledge to authentic tasks (projects, case studies).
Reflect: Journals, exit tickets, debriefs to build metacognition.
Network: Share work in blogs, portfolios, and form learning communities.

By sequencing input (Listen), guided discovery (Explore), active creation (Apply), metacognition (Reflect), and social sharing (Network), LEARN weaves together Constructivism, Experiential Learning, Social Constructivism, Connectivism, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Reflective Practice, and Cognitive Load Theory into a coherent, repeatable process.

Contacts

Geoff Cain
Curriculum & Instructional Design Specialist
geoffrey.cain@cptc.edu

Ronald Lethcoe
Curriculum & Instructional Design Specialist
ronald.lethcoe@cptc.edu

James Shumate
Curriculum & Instructional Design Specialist
james.shumate@cptc.edu

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