Generative AI for creativity and education.
A self-paced course designed for high schoolers.
Is AI evil? Is it allowed? Is it cheating? Is it safe? How does it work?
I created this course to bridge the gap.
Students will learn how generative AI works, how to critically examine its outputs for misinformation, and — perhaps most importantly — how to use AI as a meaningful tool in their creative and educational pursuits.
Thank you sooooo much! I love your questions and your slides. Without your supportive comments, I would never have found the confidence to move forward.— Nina K., student
This course is for you if:
- You're in 8th-12th grade or are a rising college student.
- You're interested in technology and curious about how AI works.
- You're a creative problem solver who enjoys exploring things on your own.
- You aren't afraid to ask questions and try something new.
- You're an independent learner and can work at your own pace.
This course is NOT for you if:
- You like people to tell you exactly what to do, not think for yourself.
- You prefer homework that comes from a textbook instead of projects.
- You hate learning new things, and you don't like challenges.
- You are easily bored when talking about technology.
- You are an AI-powered robot. (Sorry, this course is for humans only.)
I really appreciate your patience and that you respond to my emails very quickly. I enjoy getting feedback from you. It's helpful and encouraging!— Ruth D., student
Why Should I Take a Self-Paced Course?
- Flexibility. Learn at your own pace and fit lessons around your busy schedule. There are no fixed class times or hard deadlines.
- Personalized experience. Spend more time on the topics that interest you most.
- No pressure. Ask questions or rewatch videos as much as you'd like without the pressure to move along with the rest of the class.
- Preparation for college and career. Learning to work independently and manage your own schedule sets you up for future success.
- Instructor feedback. Unlike many e-courses that are 100% automated, this class still includes instructor feedback on your project submissions.
Meet Your Instructor
Jimmy Leonard is a writer, educator, and digital marketing strategist. He's taught more than 2,000 students through online courses in English language arts, creative writing, and test preparation. He also teaches AI implementation and marketing skills to small business owners.
About the course, he says, "Really effective use of generative AI tools requires both a technical understanding of how AI works and a creative, linguistic approach to meaningful prompts. This is a full-brain exercise, and I love helping students make connections across disciplines to get incredible results."
A graduate of the University of Michigan and Oakland University (M.A., Teaching Secondary Education), Jimmy has directed content strategies for companies in technology, finance, healthcare, law, and travel. He lives in East Tennessee with his wife and three kids.
What You'll Learn
Each lesson has about 90 minutes of content split between instructional videos and guided activities. Students finish the course by designing and completing their own AI project.
As much as possible, we use AI tools with free versions, although students may find it easier to complete their AI project with access to a pro subscription (for most Gen AI tools, a pro subscription is about $20/month).
1. Understanding AI
2. Introduction to Generative AI
3. Research and Automation
4. Academic and Creative Writing
5. Images and Artwork
7. Coding
8. Ethics and Responsibility
9. AI and Your University
10. AI and Your Future Career
Use promo code NEWYEAR to save big for 2026!
Make a new year's commitment to learning. Remember, the course is self-paced, so there's no rush to start right away.Mastering AI for High School Students, $̶1̶4̶9̶ $49 with code NEWYEAR!
- 10 self-paced lessons
- Video instruction
- Demonstrations of AI tools
- Guided activities
- Instructor feedback
- Technical support