Article 2026

A comparative study of expert, AI, and no external feedback on mathematics teacher learning outcomes in reflective practice

Computers and Education
Journal · Vol. 246 · Art. 105572
Abstract

Feedback is crucial for teacher professional development, yet most studies focus on a single source (e.g., experts or peers). Longitudinal comparisons across sources and analyses of underlying mechanisms are rare. This study therefore investigates how different feedback sources influence teacher learning outcomes. A total of 522 teachers participated in a 13-week professional learning program, including three weeks of reflective practice. Participants were divided into three groups: NF (no external feedback), EF (expert feedback), and AF (AI feedback). Teaching videos, instructional design artifacts, and reflective journals were analyzed to assess outcomes. Teachers in the EF group achieved significantly higher learning outcomes than those in the AF group, who, in turn, outperformed the NF group. These findings underscore the distinctive value of expert feedback in providing depth of insight and contextual sensitivity, while also indicating that AI feedback, although timely and adaptive, cannot fully replace expert judgment. Cross-Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) analysis identified key behaviors and sequences across groups and revealed detailed temporal patterns within behavioral clusters. Qualitative interviews further demonstrated that feedback effectiveness is shaped by the interaction of three dimensions—Time, Object, and Level (TOL)—which form the basis of a framework with 16 elements. The study highlights the complementary strengths of AI adaptability and expert insight, suggesting that multi-source feedback enhances teacher professional development by integrating process support with higher-order regulation. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Author Keywords

Distance education and online learning Improving classroom teaching Network analysis Pedagogical issues Teacher professional development

Index Keywords

E-learning Employment Feedback Learning systems Teaching Distance education and online learning Expert feedback Improving classroom teaching Learning outcome Online learning Pedagogical issues Reflective practise Teacher learning Teacher professional development Teachers' Professional aspects
Author Affiliations
School of Mathematical Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China, Faculty of Education, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Faculty of Education, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Faculty of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
Guangzhou Peiying Middle School, Guangzhou, China
Funding & Acknowledgements
Grant: bjg2024033
This research was supported by Ningxia Educational Teaching Reform Project \u201CPathways for cultivating students\u2019 digital literacy: international perspectives and practical approaches (ID: bjg2024033)\u201D.
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