ChatGPT in lesson preparation - A Teacher Choices Trial

Can using ChatGPT for lesson and resource preparation in Key Stage 3 science reduce teacher workload?

 School Information Sheet [PDF]
 School and Teacher Privacy Notice [PDF]

What is this Teacher Choices Trial?

This ‘Teacher Choices’ project is exploring different approaches to lesson and resource preparation in Years 7 and 8 science classes. The project aims to help understand the impact of the use of Generative AI (GenAI) (specifically ChatGPT) on teaching practice via two distinct routes: (i) by improving the variety of lessons and maintaining the quality/standard of lessons and (ii) by freeing teacher time which can be utilised elsewhere to improve pupil outcomes. 

Schools will be randomly allocated to two groups: ChatGPT group and Non-GenAI group. 

  1. ChatGPT group: science teachers in this group will be asked to use ChatGPT to prepare lessons and resources for upcoming Year 7 and/or 8 science lessons. They will also receive access to the online ChatGPT guide for lesson planning guidance.  
  1. Non-GenAI group: science teachers in this group will be asked not to use ChatGPT or any other GenAI tool in any lesson and resource preparation.  

Further information on ‘Teacher Choices’ and this ‘ChatGPT in lesson preparation Teacher Choices Trial’ can be found in the School Information Sheet above. 

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to conduct this project; which is being co-funded by the Hg Foundation, who help under-represented groups to access high quality jobs in tech by supporting education- and employment- based programmes.  Supporting achievement in STEM is an important part of their mission 

The free online ChatGPT guide which will be used by the teachers as part of this study was developed by Bain & Company’s Social Impact practice team and Hg Foundation, in collaboration with teachers and tutors from several schools and academies. 

Who can take part in this trial?

School eligibility: 

  • Any state-funded secondary school in England 
  • At least one Year 7 and/or 8 science teacher with willingness to prepare summer term lessons  

Teacher eligibility: 

  • Any science teacher who teaches Year 7 and/or 8 science (including ECTs) who is willing to be part of the trial although we encourage all Year 7 and 8 science teachers within a school to take part. 

What does the project involve?

Teachers in schools that have been allocated to the ChatGPT group will be asked to do the following: 

  • Using the online ChatGPT guide, prepare upcoming lessons using ChatGPT for all Year 7 and 8 science lessons in the summer term 2024 
  • When relevant, use ChatGPT for all 6 teaching and learning use cases as outlined in the guide 
  • Complete a brief weekly online diary during the 10-week trial to provide data on the number of hours spent and the sources used in lesson planning and resource preparation 
  • Complete a short online quiz related to the online ChatGPT guide after week 5 of the trial 
  • Complete an online survey prior to the trial (February/March and end of the trial (July) to provide background information about participating teachers and to respond to questions about time spent preparing lessons, attitudes to technology and their pedagogical beliefs. 
  • We may reach out to a selection of teachers during the trial to share example lesson plans, including lesson resources, alongside Chat GPT transcripts. 

Teachers in schools that have been allocated to the Non-GenAI group will be asked to do the following: 

  • Not use any GenAI in lesson and resource preparation for any upcoming lessons or resource preparation in the summer term 2024 
  • Complete a brief weekly diary during the 10-week trial to provide data on the number of hours spent and the sources used in lesson planning and resource preparation 
  • Complete an online survey prior to the trial (February/March and end of the trial (July) to provide background information about participating teachers and to respond to questions about time spent preparing lessons, attitudes to technology and their pedagogical beliefs.  
  • We may reach out to a selection of teachers during the trial to share example lesson plans, including lesson resources. 

Additionally, a small sample of schools will be asked to take part in case studies. These schools would be visited by a DBS checked researcher. A case study visit will involve a focus group with science teachers, a focus group with pupils, a senior leader interview and a lesson preparation walk through with one science teacher. 

Timeline for key activities

The trial will recruit schools from February 2024, and the approaches will be implemented in schools during the summer term of 2024.

A detailed timeline of activities can be found in the School Information Sheet above.

How will my school and teachers benefit from taking part?

Schools will be playing an active and important role in contributing to a new evidence base; an eventual evaluation report and lessons learnt will be published at the end of the trial. All schools and teachers participating in the trial will have access to the guide after the trial. GenAI for education has the potential to reduce workload and better understand time management. There are no financial costs to participate in the trial. 

Schools that complete all the weekly diaries will receive a payment of £100 per participating teacher at the end of the 10-week trial. An additional £30 per teacher will be payable to schools where teachers submit lesson plans.   

Who controls what data is shared?

All data gathered during the trial will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, and GDPR and will be treated in the strictest confidence by the NFER.  

No school, teacher or pupil will be named in any report arising from this work. 

Privacy Information

You can find further details of the project and NFER’s School Privacy Notice for the trial in the documents above. 

How should my school sign up for this project?

The headteacher will sign an online Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to confirm their school’s participation in the trial. They will also nominate a Key Contact for the trial who will liaise with the NFER. 

NFER will then contact each school to confirm participation and to answer any questions. 

NFER will then provide a template via the NFER secure school portal for teachers to provide the data required for the trial. This will include: 

  • Teacher name, contact email telephone number and role of all participating teachers  
  • Classes and subject taught by each teacher 

Who can I contact for more information?

If you require any further information, please contact the NFER Team at [email protected].