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We invite you to complete this intake form to better understand your background and determine eligibility for participation in the PLC study. The application window will close on June 29.
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We are reaching out to see if you would be interested in participating in a research study conducted by the Teaching Pathways Research Program at ETS, a nonprofit global education and talent solutions organization, and in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), a national organization committed to elevating the educator workforce. This study involves elementary teachers engaging in an eight-week, online professional learning community (PLC) to learn about how to engage in one core teaching practice: eliciting student thinking. In the PLC, each week you will work with a cohort of other elementary in-service teachers to learn about strategies for eliciting student thinking in the context of elementary math or science. A key part of the learning activities will involve you in preparing for and engaging in two different online teaching simulations powered by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to support your professional learning and enhance your instructional skills. You will also reflect on your two GenAI teaching simulation experiences with your PLC members.
The PLC will be conducted fully remotely and will include a combination of synchronous meetings via an online platform and asynchronous work from the first week of July through the last week of August 2026. Each week you will be expected to meet with your PLC for 2 hours online (at a time determined in advance) and complete approximately 2 hours of pre-work asynchronously. You will engage in approximately 32 hours of professional learning activities over the course of eight weeks. The PLC will follow the plan outlined below over the course of eight weeks.
As a participant in this study, you will receive free access to the GenAI teaching simulations and professional learning opportunities facilitated by experienced professional learning facilitators at no cost. After completing all required activities, you will earn an AACTE badge or certificate of participation. Additionally, you will receive $150 for completing the pre- and post surveys on the GenAI simulation experience and surveys about your instructional beliefs, self-efficacy, and acceptance of AI in education. You will also receive written feedback about your strengths and areas for growth in eliciting student thinking, based on your performance in one of the GenAI simulations.
Participation in this research is voluntary, and there is no penalty for choosing not to participate. Your responses will be kept confidential. Your feedback will inform the further development of professional learning experiences that can be used in future teacher preparation courses and professional development activities.