Co-creating blended teaching activities using AI in TESOL contexts: Report of an online Change Laboratory pilot study

This report details a pilot study designed to inform a larger Ph.D. project that explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in TESOL contexts, specifically within blended learning environments for adult learners in China. The study was structured around four online Change Laboratory (CL) workshops held in 2024 and focused on how teaching staff—comprising one tutor and six TESOL teachers—adapt AI technologies in their work. These participants, drawn from online education companies, engage with AI for teaching, student management, and administrative tasks. The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the design and execution of cross-cultural, participatory workshops, using the Change Laboratory methodology, and to derive actionable insights for refining both the Ph.D. project’s methodology and future interventions. One of the key findings highlighted the influence of cultural and linguistic diversity among participants, which presented unique opportunities and challenges in fostering active participation and co-creation of AI-integrated teaching practices.