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Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards

Community of Practice

Skills for Success:

The Why Behind Wisconsin's Career Readiness Standards

Module 8: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Enhance WCRS Integration

Welcome to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Career Readiness Community of Practice! In this eighth module, titled, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance WCRS Integration”, we’re going to continue our work to bridge connections between the WCRS on paper, and what it could look like being put into practice within your educational context.

To make the most of this learning experience, we encourage you to engage actively by taking notes and reflecting on how the content applies to your unique context. Pause the video whenever you need to process the information or dive deeper into the provided resources. If you’re able, consider collaborating with colleagues or teams for richer discussions and shared insights. Finally, don’t forget to follow up with your regional CESA for additional support.

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Objectives

WCRS Integration�

"As we begin today’s session, let’s take a look at the learning objectives for Module 8. Within Module 7, we continued to build our understanding of how the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards address not just career-focused skills, but also critical social-emotional development. We explored how these competencies can be cultivated over time using structured frameworks like the Social-Emotional Behavioral Learning Ladder. Next, we dove into strategies for integrating the WCRS into academic content. We considered how to foster both student development—by connecting frameworks like the learning ladder and John Hattie’s model of surface, deep, and transfer learning—and adult practices, such as embedding social-emotional learning directly into academic content areas.“

Within Module 8, we will continue this work by exploring how the use of AI tools, including OpenAI, can support WCRS integration. We’ll discuss how these tools can generate unique instructional ideas, activities, and experiences for embedding career readiness standards into academic content, and you’ll receive practical guidance on using AI to enhance your efforts."

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Using AI Tools to Facilitate Integration

Improves Efficiency: Quickly generates lesson drafts, saving valuable planning time. Further, provides a starting point that teachers can adapt and refine, rather than starting from scratch.

Supports Creative Thinking: Helps teachers brainstorm new ideas and activities that align with academic and career readiness goals.

Customizable and Responsive:The teacher controls the final product, using AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—professional expertise.

"We know that revisiting our current scope and sequences in core classes and working toward integrating the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards is, without question, a lot of work. But it’s essential work that needs to be done as we move toward more meaningful integration between academic content and career readiness. The good news is that tools like AI can help make this process more efficient and manageable."

"Let’s take a moment to discuss how AI tools, like OpenAI, can help us explore opportunities to integrate the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards into our lessons. Ai tools are another helpful resource that we can use to enhance this work. As long as they have been available, teachers have used online resources to support their brainstorming and planning. AI tools are just another option - a more interactive and customizable option.”

"One of the greatest advantages of AI is efficiency. Instead of starting from scratch, AI can quickly provide lesson drafts or activity ideas based on the standards you’re working with. This saves time, allowing you to focus more on customizing and refining the lesson to fit your students’ specific needs."

"AI also helps with creative thinking. Just like using textbooks, websites, or other online resources, AI gives you a starting point—but it’s a tool that responds to your exact needs. It’s not replacing your creativity or expertise—it’s enhancing it by giving you fresh ideas to work from."

"It’s important to remember that AI tools are just another resource, like any other resource teachers have been using for years. The difference is that it’s interactive. You ask for ideas, and the tool responds with suggestions. Ultimately, you are in control, and you decide what works best for your classroom."

"For educators who are a bit skeptical or hesitant to try AI, think of it as just another tool to support your teaching—not something that takes over. It’s there to make your job easier, but the final lesson is always your own."

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10 Essential Terms to Understand� Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Artificial Neural Network
Large Language Model
Generative AI
Prompt
Chain-of-Thought Prompting
Token
Hallucination

Elearningindustry.com

We’re diving into some key AI terms that will help us understand how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool in supporting the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards. Let’s break these down:

Prompt: Think of a prompt as the starting point — it's the question or request you give to the AI. The magic happens based on how you frame your prompt. The clearer and more specific it is, the better the AI can deliver something useful, whether it's a lesson idea or career activity for your students.

Response: This is what the AI generates after you've given your prompt. It's like having an assistant who gives you a first draft of an idea — maybe a lesson plan or a creative activity. The response can be tweaked and adjusted, but it's a great starting point that saves time.

Context: AI needs some background to give you the best results. Providing context means telling the AI what you're working on or what outcome you're aiming for. The more details you give, the better the AI can tailor its response to exactly what you need.

Customization: And this is where you get to shine! Even though the AI generates ideas, you are in control. You can take what it gives you and fine-tune it to match your classroom, your students, and your goals. It's like giving the AI a rough sketch, and then you’re the artist who adds the final touches.

These terms might sound a bit technical at first, but really, they’re just about how we can use AI as a tool to make planning easier, more creative, and more aligned with our career readiness goals for students.

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OpenAI for New Users

Click on the logo link to access OpenAI.

Create a Free Account:

If this is your first time using OpenAI, you’ll need to sign up. You can do this by providing your email or using a Google or Microsoft account to log in.

Start Exploring! Once your account is set up, you’re ready to begin using prompts to integrate academic content with the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards.

"Now, let’s move into the hands-on part of our session, where you’ll have an opportunity to use AI tools to explore how the WCRS can be integrated into your academic content. We’ll be using OpenAI, a tool that can generate instructional ideas, activities, and lesson plans based on the standards you provide. OpenAI is a free online resource that can produce high-quality responses to the prompts that you provide to it. While prompting is a skill that has to be learned and practiced, if you’re new to AI tools, we have some prompt templates created so everyone can get started with our activity today.”

"To get started with OpenAI, you’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Don’t worry—this process is quick and simple. If you’re not interested in creating any free accounts with OpenAI, we can easily help you find someone in the room who has an account to look off of during this activity.”

"First, click on the logo you see on the screen: https://chat.openai.com. Once you’re on the page, you’ll be prompted to either log in or create a new account."

"If you’re new to OpenAI, just select the ‘Sign Up’ option. You can sign up with your email or use a Google or Microsoft account if that’s easier for you. Once you’ve created your account, you’ll be ready to start using OpenAI."

"Once you’re logged in, you can begin exploring how AI can support your lesson planning, including integrating academic content with the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards. The prompts we provided earlier will help guide you through this process."

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Using AI Tools to Explore Academic Integration

Step-by-Step Instructions for Prompting:

Step 1: Select a WCRS strand and a discipline-specific academic content standard.
Step 2: Use OpenAI to explore integration lesson plans and activities.
Step 3: Refine prompts to regenerate if you’re not satisfied with OpenAI’s first output.

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Wisconsin Discipline-Specific Standards

Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards

Wisconsin ELA Standards

Wisconsin Math Standards

Wisconsin Social Studies Standards

Wisconsin Science Standards

Wisconsin CTE Standards

Wisconsin Physical Education Standards

Wisconsin Standards for Information and Technology Literacy

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OpenAI Prompting

Provide a Context

Provide a Specific Task

"Let’s walk through the prompting process you’ll use to generate lesson ideas that integrate the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards with your disciplinary content. There are four key steps to follow when crafting your prompt:"

1. Provide a Context:�"First, start by giving the AI some context for what you’re trying to achieve. For example, you can explain that you’re working on integrating career readiness skills into academic content to help students build essential skills for their future careers. This sets the stage and gives the AI an idea of your overall goal."

2. Give a Specific Ask:�"Next, be clear about what you're asking the AI to do. Tell the AI that you need a short activity or lesson that helps students develop both their academic knowledge and career readiness skills. This directs the AI to produce a lesson that fits both of your instructional goals."

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OpenAI Prompting

Provide a Discipline Standard

Provide a WCRS Learning Intention

3. Put the Grade and Disciplinary Standard:�"After that, include the specific academic standard you want to address. Be sure to mention the grade level and the subject area, like science, English, or social studies, so the AI knows the exact context and can generate a lesson that fits your needs."

4. List the WCRS Learning Intention:�"Finally, include the specific Wisconsin Career Readiness Standard or learning intention you want to focus on. This will help the AI integrate career readiness skills into the lesson, ensuring that students not only meet academic goals but also start building the career-related competencies they need."

"By following this prompting process—context, specific ask, academic standard, and WCRS learning intention—you'll be able to generate useful and relevant lesson plans that bring together both academic and career readiness outcomes."

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OpenAI Response

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OpenAI Response

Step-By-Step Lesson

"Let’s break down the activity step by step. We start by introducing students to a variety of careers in a brief class discussion. They’ll share ideas about what they want to be when they grow up, and we’ll talk about how different careers require specific tasks and skills—just like following instructions in a 'how-to' book."

"Next, we’ll engage in a shared reading of some 'how-to' books that are linked to careers—like cooking, gardening, or building. After reading, students will work together in small groups to write their own simple instructions related to a career task. For example, they might write 'how-to' instructions for making a sandwich if they choose a chef as their career focus."

"This portion of the lesson emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and practical writing skills. And while they’re writing, we’ll also engage them in conversations about the skills that people need to succeed in different careers."

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OpenAI Response

Step-By-Step Lesson

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OpenAI Response

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Other Examples

Middle School:

Grade 6 Science with WCRS Integration

High School:

Grade 11th Art and Design with WCRS Integration

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Explore WCRS Integration For Your Context

Remember, the prompt will drive the output - the more specific your prompt, the better the output!�(i.e., if you want it interactive, a certain length of time, to have an exit ticket, etc.)

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Activity Debrief

Reflection Prompts:

What was the most valuable insight about WCRS implementation that you gained from this activity?

How could you see AI supporting your WCRS implementation efforts?

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Integrating WCRS: The Path Forward

Key Takeaways:

Career readiness is best achieved through meaningful, authentic, & connected learning experiences.

Academic integration is the most effective and equitable way to deliver the WCRS.

AI tools can streamline the process of exploring integration opportunities.

"To wrap up module 8, remember that integrating career readiness into academic content is the most effective and equitable way to deliver the WCRS. It ensures that all students, regardless of their background or future plans, have access to essential career skills."

"AI tools like OpenAI can be a powerful resource in this process, helping you brainstorm and refine integration ideas efficiently. By embracing these tools, you can explore new ways to connect academic content with career readiness skills, helping students succeed both in school and beyond.“

Before you join us for Module 9, take some time to continue to explore AI-integrated tools. The more fluency you gain, the more you will be able to apply your expertise within new ways to effectively facilitate the integration of WCRS within your system. Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you in Module 9!