Pepperdine GSEP Faculty Publish Study on AI and Equitable Teacher Preparation
Faculty from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) have published a peer-reviewed study in the AILACTE Journal examining how artificial intelligence can be integrated into educator preparation through ethical, culturally responsive professional development.
Authored by Dr. Samaa Haniya, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Reyna García Ramos, professor of education and chair of the Department of Education and Pedagogy, the article evaluates a professional learning initiative designed to demystify generative AI for both preservice and in-service teachers.
The study focuses on educators serving primarily Title I schools and examines how professional development can address both the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research explores how collaborative, values-centered learning experiences can help educators build confidence with AI while maintaining professional judgment and ethical awareness.
Rather than prescribing specific uses of generative AI, the initiative emphasized educator agency—supporting teachers in determining how and when these tools may be appropriate within their own instructional contexts. Findings suggest that when AI professional development is grounded in equity, ethics, and real-world classroom considerations, educators are better prepared to make informed decisions that support student learning.
The project originated through a Pepperdine University provost grant awarded in 2023, supporting research focused on innovation, equity, and educator preparation. The resulting publication contributes to national conversations about AI literacy and responsible technology integration within teacher education programs.
The article, titled “Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for Preservice and In-Service Teachers: An Evaluation Study,” appears on page 38 of the AILACTE Journal, Volume XXII (2025), the peer-reviewed publication of the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, a national organization dedicated to advancing teacher education in independent liberal arts institutions.