Abstracts
Abstract
This study examines the role of AI chatbots in simulating real-world teaching scenarios and developing core teaching competencies among pre-service teachers. Guided by the SAMR model, the research employed a single-case qualitative design involving seven Bachelor of Physical Education interns from a teacher education institution in the Philippines. Data were gathered exclusively through focus group discussions, which explored the participants’ experiences using AI chatbots during their practicum. Thematic analysis revealed that chatbot simulations contributed to the development of six key teaching competencies: instructional planning and structuring, content mastery and clarification, designing engaging activities, communication and language precision, reflective practice and pedagogical decision-making, and professional confidence and self-efficacy. Participants described AI chatbots as helpful rehearsal partners that allowed them to clarify concepts, refine lesson plans, anticipate student reactions, and improve instructional language in a low-pressure setting. The chatbot interactions also prompted critical reflection on teaching strategies and enhanced the interns’ confidence before entering the actual classroom. Findings suggest that AI-powered simulations can be meaningfully integrated into teacher education programs to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The study recommends embedding AI-supported activities into practicum courses and providing guidance on the ethical and pedagogical use of AI tools in education.
Keywords:
- AI Chatbot Simulations,
- Teacher Training,
- Core Teaching Competencies,
- Virtual Practice
Appendices
Bibliography
- Abualrob, M. M. (2025). Innovative teaching: How pre-service teachers use artificial intelligence to teach science to fourth graders. Contemporary Educational Technology, 17(1), ep547. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/15686
- Aleedy, M., Atwell, E., & Meshoul, S. (2022). Using AI chatbots in education: Recent advances, challenges, and use case. In Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Computing: Proceedings of ICSISCET 2021 (pp. 661–675). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-1653-3_50
- Biana, H. T. (2024). Feminist re engineering of religion based AI chatbots. Philosophies, 9(1), Article 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies9010020
- Chounta, I. A., & Avouris, N. (2021). Scaffolding reflective teaching with AI: A study of feedback and improvement in pre-service teacher learning environments. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2, 100026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100026
- Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The psychologist, 26(2), 120–123.
- Farazouli, A., Cerratto Pargman, T., Bolander Laksov, K., & McGrath, C. (2024). Hello GPT! Goodbye home examination? An exploratory study of AI chatbots' impact on university teachers’ assessment practices. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 49(3), 363–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2023.2241676
- García, A. S. (2014). "La fotonovela digital": A sociocultural tool for biliteracy, digital literacy, and visual literacy learning of Latina/o bilingual children at an afterschool club (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Texas at San Antonio. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1546
- Giray, L., De Silos, P. Y., Adornado, A., Buelo, R. J. V., Galas, E., Reyes Chua, E., Santiago, C., & Ulanday, M. L. (2024). Use and impact of artificial intelligence in Philippine higher education: Reflections from instructors and administrators. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 28(3), 315–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/10875301.2024.2352746
- Gurl, T. J. F., Markinson, M. P., & Artzt, A. F. (2025). Using ChatGPT as a lesson planning assistant with preservice secondary mathematics teachers. Digital Experiences in Mathematics Education, 11(1), 114–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-024-00162-9
- Hallmen, T., Gietl, K., Hillesheim, K., Bauermann, M., Friedrich, A., & André, E. (2025). AI-based feedback in counselling competence training of prospective teachers (arXiv preprint arXiv:2505.03423). https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.03423
- Hidayat ur Rehman, I. (2024). Examining AI competence, chatbot use and perceived autonomy as drivers of students’ engagement in informal digital learning. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 17(2), 196–212. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT 05 2024 0136
- Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence in education: Promises and implications for teaching and learning. Center for Curriculum Redesign. https://curriculumredesign.org/wp-content/uploads/AI-in-Education-Promises-and-Implications.pdf
- Hsu, H. P., Mak, J., Werner, J., White Taylor, J., Geiselhofer, M., Gorman, A., & Capurro, C. T. (2024). Preliminary study on pre-service teachers’ applications and perceptions of generative artificial intelligence for lesson planning. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 32(3), 409–437. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224413/
- Ismail, A., Aliu, A., Ibrahim, M., & Sulaiman, A. (2024). Preparing teachers of the future in the era of artificial intelligence. Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Neural Network, 44, 31–41. https://doi.org/10.55529/jaimlnn.44.31.41
- Jeon, J. (2024). Exploring AI chatbot affordances in the EFL classroom: Young learners’ experiences and perspectives. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(1–2), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.2021241
- Labadze, L., Grigolia, M., & Machaidze, L. (2023). Role of AI chatbots in education: Systematic literature review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20, Article 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00426-1
- Lee, G.-G., & Zhai, X. (2024). Using ChatGPT for science learning: A study on pre-service teachers' lesson planning. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2402.01674
- Long, P., Limbu, Y. B., Bui, T. K., Nguyen, H. T., & Pham, H. T. (2019). Does e-learning service quality influence e-learning student satisfaction and loyalty? Evidence from Vietnam. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0136-3
- Luckin, R., Holmes, W., Griffiths, M., & Forcier, L. B. (2016). Intelligence unleashed: An argument for AI in education (Open Ideas). Pearson Education. https://curriculumredesign.org/wp-content/uploads/AI-in-Education-Promises-and-Implications.pdf
- McGrath, C., Pargman, T. C., Juth, N., & Palmgren, P. J. (2023). University teachers’ perceptions of responsibility and artificial intelligence in higher education—An experimental philosophical study. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 4, 100139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100139
- Milloria, B. R. B., Marzon, A. M. D., & Derasin, L. M. C. (2024). Investigating AI-integrated instruction in improving academic performance of senior high school students in the Philippines. Journal of Harbin Engineering University, 45(6), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36797.27366
- Mollick, E. R., & Mollick, L. (2023). Using AI to implement effective teaching strategies in classrooms: Five strategies, including prompts (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 4391243). Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4391243
- Nyaaba, M., Shi, L., Nabang, M., Zhai, X., & Ayoberd, S. A. (2024). Generative AI as a learning buddy and teaching assistant: Pre-service teachers’ uses and attitudes. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2407.11983
- Okonkwo, C. W., & Ade-Ibijola, A. (2021). Chatbots applications in education: A systematic review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2, 100033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100033
- Pérez, J. Q., Daradoumis, T., & Puig, J. M. M. (2020). Rediscovering the use of chatbots in education: A systematic literature review. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 28(6), 1549–1565. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22326
- Puentedura, R. (2006). Transformation, technology, and education [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://hippasus.com/resources/tte/
- Rospigliosi, P. A. (2023). Artificial intelligence in teaching and learning: What questions should we ask of ChatGPT? Interactive Learning Environments, 31(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2186758
- Shi, L. (2023). Exploring the emerging roles of artificial intelligence in teaching practices and its relationships with teachers (Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia). Retrieved from https://openscholar.uga.edu/record/2921/files/Lehong%20Dissertation%20Final_Teacher%20and%20AI%20relationship.pdf
- Tlili, A., Shehata, B., Adarkwah, M. A., Bozkurt, A., Hickey, D. T., & Huang, R. (2023). ChatGPT as a case study of using chatbots in education. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00237-3
- Torres, J. M., & Alieto, E. (2019). English learning motivation and self-efficacy of Filipino senior high school students. Asian EFL Journal, 22(1), 51–72. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/1293
- University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). (2024). Guidelines for the use of AI in teaching and learning. Retrieved from https://www.upou.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Guidelines-on-Use-of-AI-in-Teaching-and-Learning.pdf
- Waziana, W., Andewi, W., Hastomo, T., & Hasbi, M. (2024). Students’ perceptions about the impact of AI chatbots on their vocabulary and grammar in EFL writing. Register Journal, 17(2), 352–382. https://doi.org/10.18326/register.v17i2.352 382
- Williams, R. T. (2024). The ethical implications of using generative chatbots in higher education. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1331607. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1331607
- Winkler, R., & Söllner, M. (2019). Unleashing the potential of chatbots in education: A state-of-the-art analysis. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 61, 535–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12599-019-00603-9
- Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (Vol. 5). sage.
- Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on AI applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
- Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2022). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 19, Article 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-022-00330-4
- Zhou, M., Wang, X., & Liu, Y. (2024). Enhancing teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in AI-based technology integration in EFL education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 139, 104448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104448