Evaluation of the potential of using AI to complement human expertise in lesson design

The study investigates how ESL teachers evaluate the instructional quality of lesson plans generated by AI compared to those created by humans. With the growing usage of AI technologies such as ChatGPT into educational settings, questions arise about their ability to produce pedagogically sound and contextually appropriate materials. Framed by the TPACK and UDL models, this qualitative case study explores how teachers assess lesson quality, how their familiarity with AI influences their evaluations, and how perceptions shift when the lesson’s authorship is disclosed Four ESL teaching assistants from the same academic program, representing varying levels of AI access and use, evaluated six anonymized lessons. Data were collected through surveys and think-aloud protocols, then analyzed thematically. AI-generated lessons were often praised for clarity and adaptability but raised concerns about depth and learner-centeredness. Teachers with higher AI familiarity emphasized innovation and interactivity, while those less familiar focused more on structure and emotional safety. After authorship was revealed, participants reflected on how their assumptions and trust in technology affected their evaluations. The findings highlight both the potential and the limitations of AI in lesson planning and point to the need for pedagogically grounded professional development.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teaching of English Sec Lang

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Stroganova, Anastasiia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sadler, Randall W.
• Tywoniw, Rurik

• Artificial Intelligence In Language Education
• Ai-generated Lesson Plans
• Esl Instruction
• Esl Instructional Design
• Tpack
• Udl
• Digital Divide In Education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Anastasiia Stroganova

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130195

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F130195