Abstract
This article examines the use of generative AI in lesson planning by pre-service teachers and analyses its potentials and limitations with regard to didactic decision-making processes. The study focuses on the settings, usage practices, and perceived competencies of pre-service teachers when using generative AI for lesson planning. The research is theoretically framed by the AI-PACK model and the UNESCO AI Competency Framework, which serve as analytical lenses for interpreting the empirical findings. Methodologically, the study draws on qualitative interviews with pre-service teachers as well as an analysis of lesson plans developed with and without the support of generative AI. The findings show that generative AI is mainly used to support idea generation, structuring, and efficiency in the planning process. Core didactic decision-making processes, such as defining learning objectives, adapting content to specific learner groups, and making pedagogically justified choices, remain dependent on existing pedagogical competencies. The results highlight implications for teacher education, particularly the need to foster AI-related competencies that support didactic judgement and critical reflection.
References
Brinda, Torsten, Ira Diethelm, Rainer Gemulla, Johannes Schöning, und Carsten Schulte. 2016. «Dagstuhl-Erklärung: Bildung in der digitalen vernetzten Welt». https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3957.2245.
Clark, Hannah-Beth, Laura Benton, Manolis Mavrikis, Sophia Economou, und Nicola Whitton. 2025. «Building Effective Safety Guardrails in AI Education Tools». In Artificial Intelligence in Education. Posters and Late Breaking Results, Workshops and Tutorials, Industry and Innovation Tracks, Practitioners, Doctoral Consortium, Blue Sky, and WideAIED. AIED 2025, herausgegeben von Alexandra I. Cristea, Erin Walker, Yuqiao Lu, Olga C. Santos, und Seiji Isotani, vol. 2590: 105 – 13. Communications in Computer and Information Science. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99261-2_12.
Gmyrek, Pawel, Janine Berg, Karol Kaminski, Filipp Konopczynski, Agnieszka Ladna, Balint Nafradi, Konrad Roslaniec, und Marek Troszynski. 2025. «Generative AI and jobs: A refined global index of occupational exposure». ILO Working Paper No. 140. https://doi.org/10.54394/HETP0387.
Hsu, Hsiao-Ping, Janice Mak, Jennifer Werner, Janel White-Taylor, Melissa Geiselhofer, Alan Gormann, und Carolina Torrejon Capurro. 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 – 37. https://doi.org/10.70725/897776dkibzu.
Kaushik, Abhishek, Aryan Kumar, Pradeepika Verma, und Aadarsh Raj. 2025. «Exploring the Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Thematic Analysis». arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2501.10134.
Kazmaci, Aytun, Yavuz Topkaya, und Ahmet Oguz Akturk. 2025. «Influence of Theoretical and Practical Artificial Intelligence Knowledge on the Primary School Teachersʼ Sustainable AI Integration Ability: Mediating Effects of Beliefs and Attitudes». Frontiers in Psychology 16 (January). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628557.
Kehoe, Frank. 2023. «Leveraging Generative AI Tools for Enhanced Lesson Planning in Initial Teacher Education at Post Primary». Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning 7 (2): 1 – 14. https://doi.org/10.22554/ijtel.v7i2.124.
Kerem, Katri. 2025. «Generative AI as an Enabler for Educators: Practical Tips for Generative AI Usage in Teaching». In Generative AI in Higher Education, herausgegeben von Kerli Pulk und Reet Koris, 73 – 88. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035326020.00016.
Kerr, Robert C., und Hyekeyeng Kim. 2025. «From Prompts to Plans: A Case Study of Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Use of Generative AI for Lesson Planning». English Teaching 80 (1): 95 – 118. https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.80.1.202503.95.
Knoth, Nils, Marie Decker, Matthias Carl Laupichler, Marc Pinski, Nils Buchholtz, Katharina Bata, und Ben Schultz. 2024. «Developing a holistic AI literacy assessment matrix – Bridging generic, domain-specific, and ethical competencies» Computers and Education Open 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2024.100177.
Kuckartz, Udo, und Stefan Rädiker. 2022. Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse. Methoden, Praxis, Computerunterstützung. Weinheim: Beltz.
Lee, Gyeong-Geon, und Xiaoming Zhai. 2024. «Using ChatGPT for Science Learning: A Study on Pre-Service Teachers’ Lesson Planning». arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2402.01674.
Lorenz, Uwe, und Ralf Romeike. 2023. «AI-PACK – Ein Rahmen für KI-bezogene Digitalkompetenzen von Lehrkräften auf Basis von DPACK». In HDI 2023: 4. Fachtagung Hochschuldidaktik Informatik, herausgegeben von Alexander Best, Manuel Heinzig, Nadine Schlomske-Bodenstein, Lukas Höper, und Jens Lechtenbörger, 11 – 24. Lecture Notes in Informatics. Bonn: Gesellschaft für Informatik.
Mishra, Punya, und Matthew J. Koehler. 2006. «Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge» Teachers College Record 108 (6): 1017 – 1054. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9620.2006.00684.x.
Nyaaba, Matthew. 2024. «Transforming Teacher Education in Developing Countries: The Role of Generative AI in Bridging Theory and Practice» https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2411.10718
OECD. 2025. Empowering Learners for the Age of AI. An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education. https://ailiteracyframework.org/.
Qadir, Junaid. 2025. «Generative AI in Undergraduate Classrooms: Lessons from Implementing a Customized GPT Chatbot for Learning Enhancement». TechRxiv. https://doi.org/10.36227/techrxiv.173609986.65771022/v1.
Spasopoulos, Theodoros, Dimitris Sotiropoulos, und Michael Kalogiannakis. 2025. «Generative AI in Pre-Service Science Teacher Education: A Systematic Review». Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research 5 (2): 1501 – 23. https://doi.org/10.25082/AMLER.2025.02.007.
Stalder, Felix. 2016. Kultur der Digitalität. Berlin: Suhrkamp.
UNESCO. 2024. AI Competency Framework for Teachers. Paris: UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54675/ZJTE2084.
Uysal, Banu Çiçek Başaran, und İlknur Yüksel. 2024. «AI-Powered Lesson Planning: Insights From Future EFL Teachers». In AI in Language Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, herausgegeben von Fang Pan, 101 – 32. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0872-1.ch006.
van den Berg, Geesje, und Elize D. du Plessis. 2023. «ChatGPT and Generative AI: Possibilities for Its Contribution to Lesson Planning, Critical Thinking and Openness in Education». Education Sciences 13 (10): 998. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13100998.
Walter, Amy 2024. «Utilizing Language-Generating Artificial Intelligence (LGAI) in Educational Planning: A Case Study». Journal of Interdisciplinary Teacher Leadership 7 (1): 26 – 34. https://doi.org/10.46767/kfp.2016-0052.
