What Human Skills Will Be Essential in an AI-Facilitated Future of Teaching? Perspectives of Teachers

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 1:45 pm
  In Poster Session: Developing AI Literacy and Teacher Professional Competence

Abstract

As artificial intelligence increasingly integrates into educational settings, questions arise about which skills will essential in the teaching profession. This qualitative study used a scenario-based methodology for imagining possible futures, data from three elementary teachers to understand their views on skill prioritization in AI-integrated classrooms through scenario-based interviews exploring present-day, near-future, and distant-future educational contexts. Findings reveal six themes: emphasis on human decision-making, interpersonal skills as core competencies, adaptability and problem-solving as meta-skills, critical thinking about AI outputs, classroom management, and continuous professional learning. Teachers generally viewed evolution of existing human skills as essential to AI-enhanced teaching rather than diminishing or replacing distinctly human capabilities. These insights could inform efforts to equip educators for increasingly AI-mediated learning environments.

Authors

• Teresa M. Ober, Educational Testing Service

• Michael Flor, Educational Testing Service

• Patrick C. Kyllonen, Educational Testing Service

• Matthew S. Johnson, Educational Testing Service

• Kyoungwon Seo, Seoul National University of Science and Technology

• Ido Roll, Technion & ETS