This paper explores the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on teachers’ roles and agencies in education, presenting a comprehensive framework that addresses teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, acceptance, and practices of GenAI. As GenAI technologies, such as ChatGPT, become increasingly integrated into educational settings, both in-service and future teachers are required to adapt to evolving classroom dynamics, where AI plays a significant role in content creation, personalized learning, and student engagement. However, existing literature often treats these factors in isolation, overlooking how they collectively influence teachers’ ability to effectively integrate GenAI into their pedagogical practices. This paper fills this gap by proposing a framework that categorizes teachers (including both pre- and in-service teachers, hereafter) into four roles—Observer, Adopter, Collaborator, and Innovator—each representing different levels of GenAI engagement, outlining teachers’ agencies in GenAI classrooms. By highlighting the need for quality teacher education programs, continuous professional development and institutional support, we use examples to demonstrate how teachers can evolve from basic GenAI users to co-creators of knowledge alongside GenAI systems. The findings emphasize that for GenAI to reach its full educational potential, teachers must not only accept and understand its capabilities but also integrate it deeply into their teaching practices. This study contributes to the growing literature on GenAI in education, offering practical implications for supporting both in-service and future teachers in navigating the complexities of GenAI adoption.
Zhai, X. (2024). Transforming teachers’ roles and agencies in the era of generative AI: Perceptions, acceptance, knowledge, and practices. Journal of Science Education and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-024-10174-0