Welcome to Francis Academic Press

International Journal of New Developments in Education, 2025, 7(8); doi: 10.25236/IJNDE.2025.070801.

Positioning Teacher Roles in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence: A TPACK-Based Perspective

Author(s)

Li Jianmin, Ma Mingyu

Corresponding Author:
Ma Mingyu
Affiliation(s)

Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China

Abstract

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is profoundly reshaping the educational ecosystem, posing triple challenges to traditional teaching in terms of tool use, teacher-student relationships, and knowledge instruction. Drawing on the TPACK theoretical framework, this study examines the “teacher–technology”, “teacher–student”, and “teacher–knowledge” relationships, and proposes the normative role positioning of teachers in the GenAI era: acting as value guides in technological collaboration by critically evaluating GenAI outputs to guard against algorithmic bias and ethical risks; serving as emotional supporters in student development by maintaining the humanistic warmth of education through embodied interaction; and functioning as professional gatekeepers in knowledge instruction by balancing foundational knowledge with higher-order abilities. To facilitate the systematic transformation of teacher roles, the study constructs a multi-dimensional collaborative pathway encompassing policy, school, and teacher levels: at the policy level, refining action guidelines and improving institutional safeguards; at the school level, building intelligent training platforms and fostering collaborative cultures; and at the teacher level, strengthening agency to achieve a dialectical unity of technological empowerment and educational essence. This study provides theoretical insights and practical implications for the systematic reconstruction of teacher roles in the age of artificial intelligence.

Keywords

Generative Artificial Intelligence, Teacher Roles, TPACK Framework

Cite This Paper

Li Jianmin, Ma Mingyu. Positioning Teacher Roles in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence: A TPACK-Based Perspective. International Journal of New Developments in Education (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 8: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJNDE.2025.070801.

References

[1] The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China & The State Council. Outline of the Plan for Building a Strong Education Nation (2024–2035) [EB/OL]. (2025-01-19) [2025-06-16]. Available at: https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2025/issue_11846/202502/content_7002799.html

[2] He Wenbin, Fan Zhanjiang, Zheng Hao, et al. ChatGPT Empowers CSCL: Future Visions and Breakthrough Paths [J]. Modern Educational Technology, 2024, 34(4): 37–46.

[3] Yang Zhengming, Jin Yule. “A Harmonious Symphony”: Exploring the Relationship Between Teachers and Intelligent Machines in Human–Machine Collaborative Teaching [J]. China Distance Education, 2025, 45(4): 99–113.

[4] Sun Lihui. Subjective Trust Crisis in AI-Driven Educational Decision-Making and Its Avoidance [J]. E-Education Research, 2023, 44(3): 21–27, 43.

[5] Zhao Leilei, Chen Xiangmei, Du Xinyue. Reconstructing Teacher–Student Relationships in the AI Era: Practical Challenges and Normative Transition [J]. Theory and Practice of Education, 2021, 41(31): 36–41.

[6] Yang Jiuquan. The Dilemma of Imagination: Value Education in the Age of Generative AI [J]. China Distance Education, 2024, 44(2): 12–23.

[7] Li Zhengtao. The Disruption and Reconfiguration of “Foundations” in Basic Education by ChatGPT/Generative AI [J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2023, 41(7): 47–55.

[8] Koehler M J, Mishra P. The Handbook of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) for Educators [M]. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2008.

[9] Zhu Zhitin, Peng Hongchao, Lei Yunhe. Intelligent Education: A Practical Path to Smart Learning [J]. Open Education Research, 2018, 24(4): 13–24, 42.

[10] Huang L, Yu W, Ma W, et al. A Survey on Hallucination in Large Language Models: Principles, Taxonomy, Challenges, and Open Questions [J]. ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 2023, 43(2): 1–55.

[11] Baker R S, Hawn A. Algorithmic Bias in Education [J]. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 2022, 32: 1052–1092.

[12] Chong L, Zhang G, Goucher-Lambert K, et al. Human Confidence in Artificial Intelligence and in Themselves: The Evolution and Impact of Confidence on Adoption of AI Advice [J]. Computers in Human Behavior, 2021, 127: 1–10.

[13] Wang Hui. De-territorialization and Co-presence in Teacher–Student Relationships Under the Influence of Smart Technologies [J]. Teaching and Management, 2025, (6): 64–69.

[14] Zhang Xiangyun, Xu Ruolin. On Centering Education Around Teacher–Student Relationships [J]. Higher Education Research, 2023, 44(8): 1–9.

[15] Wang Jingjing. Construction of a Third-party Evaluation Mechanism for the Quality of Primary and Secondary School Teacher Training Programs [J]. Theory and Practice of Education, 2016, 36(17): 19–21.

[16] Song Huan, Lin Min. Transformation of Teachers’ Work in the Era of ChatGPT/Generative AI: Opportunities, Challenges and Responses [J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2023, 41(7): 78–90.

[17] Yi Kaiyu, Han Xibin. From Blended Learning to Human–AI Collaborative Teaching: New Instructional Paradigms Under Generative AI [J]. China Distance Education, 2025, 45(4): 85–98.

[18] Zhu Yongxin, Yang Fan. ChatGPT/Generative AI and Educational Innovation: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future [J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2023, 41(7): 1–14.

[19] Zheng Yonghe, Zhou Danhua, Zhang Yonghe, et al. ChatGPT from the Perspective of Computational Pedagogy: Connotation, Themes, Reflections and Challenges [J]. Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences), 2023, 41(7): 91–102.

[20] Zhao Xiaowei, Zhu Zhitin, Shen Shusheng. Educational Prompt Engineering: Constructing a New Epistemological Discourse in the Digital Era [J]. China Distance Education, 2023, 43(11): 22–31.

[21] Yang Fan, Chen Haoxuan, Zhu Yongxin. GenAI-Assisted Teacher Professional Development: Value Positioning, Practical Constraints, and Institutional Construction [J]. China Distance Education, 2024, 44(4): 58–68.