Towards professionalism: AI to benefit student-teachers’ lesson planning

A quasi-experimental study explored the effectiveness of chatbot-driven simulations in improving lesson planning skills, pedagogical and content mastery, and teaching self-confidence among pre-service elementary educators. Conducted at a public university, the intervention group utilized an AI chatbot to engage in dynamic scenarios for crafting lesson plans, demonstrating the potential of AI to bridge the gap between educational theory and practical application in teacher training.

Why it matters

This research highlights the emerging role of artificial intelligence in professional development and education, specifically in critical skill-building like lesson planning for educators. It offers a model for integrating innovative technological solutions to address long-standing challenges in training, potentially leading to more effective and confident practitioners across various professional domains.

Key insights

• Traditional teacher education faces challenges in connecting pedagogical theory with classroom practice.
• Chatbot-driven simulations show potential for enhancing lesson planning capabilities in pre-service teachers.
• The intervention aimed to improve pedagogical and content mastery, alongside teaching self-confidence.
• A quasi-experimental design was used, involving an intervention group utilizing a research team-devised chatbot.
• The study included 91 primary education undergraduates, split into intervention and control groups.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1833547