Bemidji State University faculty are examining how artificial intelligence can improve teacher preparation, providing future educators with new tools to enhance classroom learning.

Professors Siri Anderson, Lisa Karl and Lisa Schmitz have spent the past year studying AI’s impact on teacher candidates and will present their findings at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education conference in Orlando, Florida, in late March.

Their research began a year ago as part of a Minnesota state-funded program for the science of teaching and learning. They studied AI tools in a teacher-licensure program to enhance social-emotional competence and self-efficacy in teacher candidates.

The study was conducted over three courses in the university’s online teacher education program during the fall 2024 semester. By the end of the courses, the researchers found AI useful for various classroom applications, including lesson planning.

Anderson supported this finding, saying, “If you teach fifth grade and you want to read about the Civil War, you could use AI software to create readings at different reading levels to accommodate all your students.”

They also observed improvements in teacher self-efficacy and comfort in using AI for professional purposes.

When teacher candidates were assigned to use AI for a task, they completed a survey assessing AI’s effectiveness in helping them complete the assignment.

The AI tools used in the study included PI.AI, MagicSchool.ai and Diffit.ai. Anderson said, “After the course, students found it gave them a new perspective when working with AI.”

The professors are eager to present their findings at the 36th International SITE Conference from March 17-21, providing an opportunity to share their work with other members of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education.