ChatGPT in lesson preparation: the 2024 EEF/NFER trial
Summary
A 259-teacher trial supports planning-time savings without establishing higher student learning.
In 68 English secondary schools, 259 teachers joined a randomized trial. ChatGPT plus guidance reduced weekly Year 7–8 science planning from 81.5 to 56.2 minutes, a 25.3-minute difference.
Use usually covered limited lesson components. Blinded resource review found no clear quality difference, but its sample was limited. Planning time is not student attainment or long-term learning.
RCT findings read from official results summaries; full evaluation report and appendices not audited.
Sources & reading record
- EEF / NFER ↗
- Read EEF’s dated result announcement, project summary and NFER research-director interpretation.
- NFER: Helen Poet ↗
- Read the 18 March 2025 evaluator interpretation, particularly scope of use and quality-assessment limitations.