Teachers at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Pedagogy: Exploring AI–Enhanced Teaching Practices in Secondary Education

Authors

  • Dr. Mahnaz Iqbal Yousafzai Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Teacher Education, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Fouzia Ajmal Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-i.229

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Pedagogy, Secondary School Teachers

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is gradually shifting education by assisting teachers in enhancing teaching for each student, modifying their pedagogical approaches, and achieving better classroom results. This qualitative study explored how secondary school instructors deal with the nexus between pedagogy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern classrooms. Teachers are gradually using AI tools like Chat-GPT and Gamma to improve teaching methods, personalize learning, and nurture student engagement since they are at a critical crossroads. The study, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, used a phenomenological design to record secondary school teachers' actual experiences. Five teachers were interviewed through semi-structured interviews using a strata purposive sampling technique in a few chosen secondary schools in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The results showed that teachers saw AI as both a challenge and an opportunity. Improved educational effectiveness, changing teacher roles, ethical issues, and the requirement for professional training are some of the major themes. While lesson planning, evaluation, and differentiated instruction are all aided by AI tools, instructors are concerned about over-reliance and the possible deterioration of students' critical thinking abilities. The results offer beneficial effects in teacher AI–technological, pedagogical, content, integrated knowledge in subject contexts, and teachers' ethical AI considerations for policymakers, educators, and curriculum designers, and add to the expanding conversation on AI in education, especially in developing environments.

Author Biography

  • Dr. Mahnaz Iqbal Yousafzai, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Teacher Education, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

    Corresponding Author: [email protected]

References

Acharya, R. (2025). Examining interpretivism in social science research: Exploring subjectivity, context, and meaning in social inquiry. Education Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.3459/2025/ST8

Adli, M., Suriani, A. B., Ibrahim, M. M., Azzam, A. B., Fatiatun, Kusuma, H. H., Dwandaru, W. S. B., & Muhammad Dhanil. (2024). Comprehensive review on technology-based learning using artificial intelligence for science subjects and its implications in teaching and learning. EDUCATUM Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology, 11(2), 100–113. https://doi.org/10.37134/ejsmt.vol11.2.11.2024

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Capuano, N., & Caballé, S. (2020). Adaptive learning technologies. AI Magazine, 41(2), 96–98. https://doi.org/10.1609/aimag.v41i2.5317

Chai, C. S., Koh, J. H. L., & Tsai, C. C. (2013). A review of technological pedagogical content knowledge. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 16(2), 31-51. https://www.jstor.org/stable/jeductechsoci.16.2.31

Chiu, T. K. F., & Lim, K. Y. T. (2025). Exploring the potential of AI in nurturing learner empathy, prosocial values and environmental stewardship. In K. Y. T. Lim, M. A. N. Duc, & M. T. N. Thien (Eds.), Exploring the potential of AI in education (pp. 1–xx). Springer Nature.

Chiu, T. K. F., Chen, Y., Yau, K. W., Chai, C.-S., Meng, H., King, I., Wong, S., & Yam, Y. (2025). Developing and validating measures for AI literacy tests: From self-reported to objective measures. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.07570

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Davis, C., Bush, T., & Wood, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence in education: Enhancing learning experiences through personalized adaptation. International Journal of Cyber and IT Service Management (IJCITSM), 4(1), 26-32. https://doi.org/10.34306/ijcitsm.v4i1.146

Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11

Felix, C. V. (2020). The role of the teacher and AI in education. In International perspectives on the role of technology in humanizing higher education. Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120200000033003

Haq, A. U. (2025). Innovating education: The impact of artificial intelligence and technology on teaching. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2), 52-68. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v4i2.125

Holmes, W., & Zhgenti, S. (2024). Exploring the ethics of generative AI, education, and democracy. Journal of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development, 1(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.69828/4d4kqf

Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2024). Artificial intelligence in education: Promise and implications for teaching and learning. Center for Curriculum Redesign. https://curriculumredesign.org/

Holmes, W., Porayska-Pomsta, K., Holstein, K., Bittencourt, I. I., & Luckin, R. (2022). Ethics of AI in education: Towards a community-wide framework. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 32, 504–526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-021-00239-1

Janjua, J. R., Janjua, M. R. S., Shiraz, R., & Naseem, M. (2025). Perception and utilization of artificial intelligence in dental education and dental practice: A cross-sectional survey. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 76(1), 130–134. https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76i1.14200.

Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U., Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., et al. (2023). ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103, 102274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274

Köbis, L., & Mehner, C. (2021). Ethical questions raised by AI-supported mentoring in higher education. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 4, Article 624050. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2021.624050 (frontiersin.org)

Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Luan, H., Geczy, P., Lai, H., Gobert, J., Yang, S. J., Ogata, H., ... & Tsai, C. C. (2020). Challenges and future directions of big data and artificial intelligence in education. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 580820. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.580820

Mishra, P., Warr, M., & Islam, R. (2023). TPACK in the age of ChatGPT and generative AI. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 39(4), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2023.2247480

OECD. (2025). Education at a glance 2025: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance/

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2024). Teaching with artificial intelligence: Guidance for educators and policymakers. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/education/

Pawar, P. (2023). AI-enhanced education: Personalized learning and educational technology. Fusion of knowledge, 1-8.

Pham, T., Nguyen, T. B., Ha, S., & Nguyen Ngoc, N. T. (2023). Digital transformation in engineering education: Exploring the potential of AI-assisted learning. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.8825 (ajet.org.au)

Qian, Y. (2025). Pedagogical applications of generative AI in higher education: A systematic review of the field. TechTrends, 69, 1105–1120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-025-01100-1

Selwyn, N. (2023). Education and technology: Key issues and debates (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350145566

Selwyn, N., Ljungqvist, M., & Sonesson, A. (2025). When the prompting stops: Exploring teachers’ work around the educational frailties of generative AI tools. Learning, Media and Technology, 50(3), 310–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2025.2537959

Shah, S. S., Samo, N. A., & Ramsha. (2025). The effect of AI-based learning tools on academic performance of secondary school students: A quantitative study from Shaheed Benazirabad. Journal of Political Stability Archive, 3(2), 899–915. https://doi.org/10.63468/jpsa.3.2.51

UNESCO. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/guidance-generative-ai-education-and-research

UNESCO. (2024). AI competency framework for teachers. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-education/artificial-intelligence

Varsik, S., & Vosberg, L. (2024). The potential impact of artificial intelligence on equity and inclusion in education. OECD Artificial Intelligence Papers, 23. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/15df715b-en

Williamson, B., & Eynon, R. (2020). Historical threads, missing links, and future directions in AI in education. Learning, Media and Technology, 45(3), 223–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2020.1798995

Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0

Downloads

Published

2026-03-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Yousafzai, M. I., & Ajmal, F. (2026). Teachers at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Pedagogy: Exploring AI–Enhanced Teaching Practices in Secondary Education. The Regional Tribune, 5(1), 347-357. https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-i.229