A Study of the Mechanisms Influencing the Development of Teachers’ AI Educational Literacy

Abstract

The accelerating transformation of the education system toward generative artificial intelligence (AI) imposes an urgent need to enhance teachers’ AI educational literacy. It is crucial to systematically clarify its influencing factors and action mechanisms to support the profound transformation of intelligent education. This study identifies the core factors influencing teachers’ AI educational literacy. A structural equation model is developed and validated to examine such factors across three dimensions: the internal structure of AI educational literacy, teachers’ individual characteristics, and external school environment. This study finds that for internal structure, AI educational mindset positively affects AI educational ethics, foundations and applications, and pedagogy. AI educational foundations and applications positively affect AI pedagogy. Both factors contribute to AI for professional development, with AI pedagogy serving as a mediating variable. Among individual characteristic factors, AI self-efficacy and educational trust impact AI educational literacy via AI educational mindsets, while AI application behavioral intention directly affects AI for professional development. In terms of the school environment factors, AI leadership of principals positively affects AI educational ethics and pedagogy. Additionally, AI infrastructure and school organizational climate interact synergistically to build an external environment that supports the development of teachers’ AI educational literacy. Accordingly, this study proposes systematic strategies to promote coordinated development of various dimensions of AI education literacy for primary and secondary school teachers to optimize literacy structure, to empower individual teachers, and to enhance the supportive school environment.

Keywords

artifitial intelligence (AI) educational literacy / individual characteristics / school environment

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press