Exploring the Potential of AI-Generated Lesson Designs Underpinned by the TPACK Framework for Educators in Higher Education: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential of integrating generative AI into lesson design underpinned by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework for educators in higher education. The study introduces a novel workflow that uses multiple AI agents to generate tailored lesson designs in two different learning environments: one in a traditional classroom and another in the metaverse learning environment. A comparative study was conducted in a university-level product design course using three lesson designs in three conditions: Lesson design (LD) 1 – Manually designed lesson design in a traditional classroom, LD 2 – AI-generated lesson design in a traditional classroom, and LD 3 – AI-generated lesson design in the metaverse environment. All the lesson designs were underpinned by the TPACK framework with the same lesson objectives. Through qualitative analysis, the paper compares the three lesson designs, examining the potential of AI-generated lesson designs in supporting teacher professional development. The findings indicate that AI-generated lesson designs have great potential to enhance lesson design underpinned by the TPACK framework for educators.