Cautious Techno-optimism of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Pre-Service Teacher Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: AI in Preservice Teacher Education: Perceptions, Planning, and Pathways

Abstract

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to impact education, an understanding of preservice teachers’ perceptions of the benefits and critiques of GenAI tools, as well as their plans for use, is essential. Across two sites in Hawai’i and Los Angeles, 74 preservice teachers engaged in a series of activities, reflections, and surveys on their experiences with ChatGPT. Through constant comparative analysis of survey data, we found preservice teachers shared similar perceptions of benefits and critiques for both teachers and students, including the fear of both becoming dependent on the tool. While many preservice teachers presented optimistic ideas for future classroom use of ChatGPT, these ideas were couched with caution, recognizing the potential for bias and misinformation within current GenAI.

Authors

• Mike Karlin, California State University - Dominguez Hills

• Cristina Stephany, South Bay Consortium Teacher Induction Program

• K. ʻAlohilani HN Okamura, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa