Abstract
This mixed methods study examines the alignment between human and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) feedback in teacher coaching within a U.S.-based Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Grounded in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) and guided by action research (Corey, 1954), the study explores the potential of GAI, specifically ChatGPT, to enhance feedback on pre-service teachers’ instructional practices. Extending research on AI in education (Dieker et al., 2024; Lan & Chen, 2024), feedback from 65 clinical teachers across certification areas was analyzed. Human evaluators’ field notes were compared to GAI-generated feedback to identify patterns in reinforcement, refinement, and instructional suggestions. Findings revealed strong thematic alignment between GAI and human feedback in 90% of cases, particularly regarding student engagement, assessment, and classroom management (McGrath et al., 2023). However, statistical analysis found no significance in matching specific T-TESS dimensions. While GAI demonstrated strengths in generating structured and consistent feedback (Celik, 2022), it lacked the contextual awareness and flexibility of human evaluators (Tammets & Ley, 2023). The study concludes that GAI can serve as a valuable supplementary tool in teacher coaching but cannot replace the personalized mentorship essential for educator development (Cukurova, 2024). This study contributes to the growing research on AI integration in teacher education, underscoring the importance of human oversight and raising future research considerations related to AI literacy, ethical implications, and global applicability in educator preparation programs (Ng et al., 2025; Prilop et al., 2024).
Presenters
Ashley BrittainAssistant Professor and Secondary Education Program Coordinator, College of Education/School of Teaching and Learning, Sam Houston State University, Texas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Human-Centered AI Transformations
KEYWORDS
Generative AI, Teacher Coaching, Educator Preparation Programs, Instructional Feedback, TPACK
