Co-reflection with AI: Insights for Language Teacher Trainees’ Professional Development during Trauma-informed Practicum

This comparative case study is based on the assumption that artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT can be utilized as an instantaneous reflection partner for the adaptation of trauma-informed pedagogy in a trauma-affected context. It aims to enhance five language teacher trainees’ trauma-informed practicum experiences through co-reflection with ChatGPT, thereby contributing to their professional development. To that end, the trainees were asked to report their reflective interactions with ChatGPT during six weeks and were invited to focus group interviews to analyze their experiences of co-reflection with ChatGPT. The findings show that the trainees reached a moderate level of criticality in their co reflections that were mainly full of subject-matter and didactic content. Despite posing several obstacles, ChatGPT was found to offer opportunities for the trauma-informed practicum process and to effectively assess the trainees’ professional development. Yet, a balanced blend of artificial and human intelligence is necessary to foster reflectivity, emotional understanding and creativity in the planning and implementations of trauma-informed teachings.