EMPOWERING INSTRUCTIONAL INNOVATION THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN FOCUS

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), its influence on education is far-reaching. Its appeal is undeniable, promising efficiency, personalized learning, and innovative classroom experiences. Through a qualitative phenomenological study, the researcher elucidates the experiences, coping strategies, and insights of junior high school teachers in implementing AI-driven instructional innovation in the classroom. There are three themes under the lived experiences of teachers in implementing AI- driven instructional innovation, namely: pedagogical impact, efficiency and workload relief, and limited familiarity. Meanwhile, there were also three themes for the coping strategies: skill development, collaboration with colleagues, and instructional blending. For the instructional innovation, it includes AI-assisted pedagogy, responsible and ethical AI integration, and professional development in AI literacy. The study’s findings highlight how AI was transforming the teaching and learning process by enabling more creative and interactive classroom activities. It underscores the need for educators to develop deeper knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the demands of AI-integrated teaching.