Developing AI-Literacy in Pre-Service Teachers Through Lesson Planning

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Sunday 9:45 am
  In Poster Session: Designing Preservice Teacher Learning: Exploring Lesson Planning, Computational Thinking, AR, and Generative AI

Abstract

As AI tools become increasingly common in educational settings, it is critical that future teachers learn how to use them thoughtfully and responsibly. This study explored how pre-service teachers use generative-AI tools, like ChatGPT, to design K-5 lesson plans and how their use of AI changed when provided explicit instruction. By analyzing participant work samples, including three lesson plans, reflections of the process, and AI chat logs, we captured how participants interacted with AI tools and how their thinking evolved before and after intervention. Preliminary findings suggest AI-supported pre-service teachers design more detailed lesson plans; that plans have better alignment across the goals, learning experiences, and assessment components; and that pre-service teachers express excitement but hesitation for using AI tools.

Authors

• Amelie Smucker, Radford University

• Eman A. M. Amer, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University