Integrating Generative AI with transformative teaching methods for social innovation

Diana Robertson, Hlologelo Climant Khoza and Ronel Callaghan

Chapter 18 in Handbook of Teaching and Learning in Social Innovation, 2026, pp 279-286 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: First-year pre-service teachers often face challenges such as low confidence, limited belonging, and academic uncertainty. This case study explores how 18 pre-service teachers used Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools for support during their first year. Initially guided by the Five Senses of Student Success framework, the intervention aimed to ease their academic and social transition. Unexpectedly, students not only utilised GAI for personal support but also began collaborating, experimenting, and creating socially relevant solutions that reflected key principles of Social Innovation Education. Thematic analysis highlighted: (1) student-directed collaboration, (2) personal growth through GAI experimentation, and (3) motivation to support peers and communities. These outcomes reposition the GAI intervention as a transformative educational experience rooted in social innovation. While the Five Senses framework remains useful for identifying success factors, integrating Social Innovation Education presents a powerful, socially responsible approach to curriculum design in initial teacher education, building resilience and innovative thinking.

Keywords: Generative AI; Social Innovation; Transformative Teaching Strategies; Pre-service Teachers; Student Success Framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035318292
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