Exploring the Roles of Generative AI in Elementary Education: Collaboration with Teachers in Daily Practice

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Capacity and Infrastructure for Responsible AI in Education

Abstract

This study examined how elementary school teachers used generative AI across eight professional tasks and how they perceived its roles in supporting their work. The data consisted of 233 prompts and in-depth interviews conducted with eight teachers over two weeks. Results revealed that AI supported diverse tasks, such as lesson planning, student guidance, assessment, record-keeping, administrative paperwork, event preparation, classroom management, and family communication. Regarding their perceptions of teacher–AI collaboration, teachers viewed AI as a draft provider, task assistant, and emotional companion, while maintaining professional control by adapting its output to classroom needs. These findings highlight the need for collaboration-centered AI design that supports pedagogical, emotional, and organizational aspects of teaching practice.

Authors

• Seoyeon Choi, Korea University

• Jiyoon Jung, Korea University

• Insook Han, Korea University