An exploration of the transformative use of Artificial Intelligence as a reflection tool, through the experiences and perspectives of trainee teachers

Abstract

This study explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be integrated into the professional development of teachers, with a particular emphasis on improving reflective practice due to various implementation challenges. Reflective practice is central to the growth of educators and this study focused on using AI chatbots to assist trainee teachers in their reflective practice through conducting qualitative interviews and using selected extracts from interaction logs to gather data from participants in an international teacher training program. The results indicate that AI chatbots can significantly enhance reflective practice by offering more personalized feedback and stimulating deeper introspection, which in turn leads to greater critical-awareness, insights and professional development among the participants. The study concludes that AI-driven tools can effectively address the challenges associated with current reflective practice and suggests potential improvements for future development. The findings have important implications for educational policymakers, teacher training institutions, and technology developers, emphasizing the imperative to integrate AI in education in a responsible and ethical manner. Future research would benefit from investigating long-term effects of AI on reflective practice and its potential to support ongoing professional development across diverse educational settings.