USING CHATGPT TO ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AMONG PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS: A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

Sustainability is a critical concept for addressing contemporary global challenges, yet misconceptions about its principles often impede meaningful engagement among pre-service teachers. This qualitative case study explores how they can overcome misconceptions about sustainability and develop a more comprehensive understanding using ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered conversational tool. Over the course of six days, participants engaged with ChatGPT to clarify sustainability concepts, challenge preconceived notions, and reflect on their role in promoting sustainable practices in their personal and professional lives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, reflective journals, and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that ChatGPT facilitated personalized, real-time learning, enabling pre-service teachers to confront and resolve their misconceptions. Interactive features such as scenario-based discussions, access to global case studies, and exploratory dialogues helped deepen their understanding of sustainability as a multidimensional concept encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Participants expressed increased confidence in identifying practical sustainability strategies and applying them in contextually relevant ways. The study highlights the transformative potential of integrating AI tools into sustainability education, emphasizing the importance of guided usage to address challenges such as over-reliance on AI-generated information. Recommendations are provided for incorporating AI-driven platforms into higher education to enhance sustainability awareness and foster critical thinking. This research contributes to understanding how technology can empower pre-service teachers to become advocates for sustainable development in diverse fields.