Transforming Teacher Education in Developing Countries: The Role of Generative AI in Bridging Theory and Practice

Abstract: This study examines the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI) in teacher education within developing countries, focusing on Ghana, where challenges such as limited pedagogical modeling, performance-based assessments, and practitioner-expertise gaps hinder progress. GenAI has the capacity to address these issues by supporting content knowledge acquisition, a role that currently dominates teacher education programs. By taking on this foundational role, GenAI allows teacher educators to redirect their focus to other critical areas, including pedagogical modeling, authentic assessments, and fostering digital literacy and critical thinking. These roles are interconnected, creating a ripple effect where pre-service teachers (PSTs) are better equipped to enhance K-12 learning outcomes and align education with workforce needs. The study emphasizes that GenAI's roles are multifaceted, directly addressing resistance to change, improving resource accessibility, and supporting teacher professional development. However, it cautions against misuse, which could undermine critical thinking and creativity, essential skills nurtured through traditional teaching methods. To ensure responsible and effective integration, the study advocates a scaffolding approach to GenAI literacy. This includes educating PSTs on its supportive role, training them in ethical use and prompt engineering, and equipping them to critically assess AI-generated content for biases and validity. The study concludes by recommending empirical research to explore these roles further and develop practical steps for integrating GenAI into teacher education systems responsibly and effectively.