Master of Learning Technologies graduates create course focused on generative AI in K-12 education 

For Jason Hazel and Jason Johns, graduates of the Master of Learning Technologies (MLT) program, their journey reshaped their understanding of instructional design and educational technology. Their experience with educational theory and their collaborative research led to the development of a course designed to assist K-12 educators in how best to understand and utilize emerging AI technologies. 

From media production to educational theories 

Both Hazel and Johns began the Master of Learning Technologies at Ohio State in the spring of 2021, seeking a deeper understanding of educational technology theories and instructional design. Having both spent years in media production for instructional content, they wanted to explore the overlap between content creation and pedagogical effectiveness. 

Reflecting on the beginning of their academic journey, Hazel shared, “I’d been working at the university [Ohio State] for seven years doing media production for promotional and instructional media, and it was kind of like I need to get a better grasp of learning theories and answering the question, ‘why am I creating this?’” 

“The program helped me understand why I was making instructional materials and how they fit into the larger learning experience,” he shared. “When I first started the program, I wasn’t as concerned with the learning theory… Once I finished it, I was like ‘This is a big deal’ and it was also really interesting.” 

A flexible, collaborative learning experience 

One of the defining aspects of the MLT online degree is its flexibility, allowing students like Hazel and Johns to balance coursework with personal and professional responsibilities. “There were times I was attending class on an iPad while giving my daughter a bath,” Hazel recalled. “Everyone in the program understood that we all had busy lives.” 

Despite being an online educational technology program, both graduates emphasized the strong sense of community fostered through collaborative learning. From the first class, they had structured group discussions, office hours with instructors, and peer learning opportunities. 

“We designated times to meet and talk about all the readings or whatever we’re going over. Being able to have that that support right there was fantastic. Even though it was online learning, it really didn’t feel that way,” Hazel shared. 

The structure of the MLT program facilitated collaboration and peer learning. As Johns noted, “It was nice to have that support with each other to be like, ‘did you know what this means? Can we find an example of this thing?’”  

Developing a course on generative AI for K-12 educators 

For those wondering “what can I do with an educational technology degree,” Hazel and Johns offer a clear example. For their capstone project, they worked under the guidance of Dr. Rick Voithofer to create an online course on generative AI for K-12 educators. The course aimed to empower teachers by demonstrating how AI can be effectively utilized in their teaching methods, as well as helping students harness AI for learning. The self-paced course, Generative AI Multimedia for Education, is available on Ohio State’s ScarletCanvas. 

Dr. Voithofer was already developing AI-focused courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, so their project aligned well with his work. The capstone involved months of research, content creation, and instructional design. “We acted as both subject matter experts and designers,” Hazel said. “It was a lot of late nights, but it was fun.”  

The role of AI in teaching and active learning 

In discussing the role of AI in teaching and active learning, the duo emphasizes that AI cannot replace the foundational aspects of learning, but it can serve as a valuable tool to enhance the learning experience. “It’s just another tool for the same kind of learning and teaching that the instructors are already doing,” Johns shared. 

They also emphasized active learning strategies in their course design, such as designing activities where students collaboratively created AI-generated content. For example, students would imagine a character and setting, then the teacher would use AI to generate a scene based on their input.  

Johns explained, “It’s a way to get students to understand this is what generative AI is without having to have elementary school students go and generate material.” 

Ethical considerations with AI in education  

The course also incorporates discussions on AI ethics, digital security, and data privacy. Hazel and Johns integrated ethical considerations throughout, ensuring that educators understand the potential risks and responsibilities. 

Hazel highlighted, “We try to have at least one kind of [ethical] highlight in every single one of the different modalities. So for AI imagery, we added discussions on AI inaccuracies and hallucinations, especially with anything with text.” 

Another aspect highlighted in the course is implicit bias in content generation, “We even have a comparison of if you generated an image of a ‘professional looking doctor’. Firefly gives you a bunch of diversity, but Canva will give you 3 white men instead,” Johns shared. 

Leaving a lasting impact 

Their work has already influenced education at Ohio State, with faculty incorporating elements of their project into ongoing educational technology curriculum development. “Rick has already started to pick and choose different things that he wants to take from this,” Hazel shared, “One thing we wanted to walk away with was something that we could point to, to be like, this is still being put to use within the university.” 

The pair have even considered adapting lessons from their online course to other formats, “There are some things in this that would be fun to do in a workshop, in-person format or in a hybrid situation,” Hazel stated. 

Hazel and Johns’ journey through the MLT program highlights the impact of combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Their work in generative AI for K-12 education demonstrates how instructional designers can empower educators with innovative tools while addressing ethical challenges. As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of learning, projects like theirs ensure that educators remain at the forefront of these advancements. 

Want to learn more about the Master of Learning Technologies? Contact an enrollment advisor today.