Presentation The use of Facebook for learning about AI: Realities and perspectives from language teachers more

There is currently a dearth of research on how language educators are equipping themselves to smoothly incorporate different AI technologies into their teaching settings. Recent research has highlighted the value of online teacher communities for professional learning, yet little is known about how these communities can serve as platforms for professional growth in the age of AI. The current study therefore aims to explore the role of online teacher communities as a free and valuable resource for language educators seeking to learn more about AI. Employing a mixed-methods research design, it examined three public Facebook communities focused on AI and language teaching. Specifically, the number of memberships and shared posts were monitored, and discussion content was examined using content analysis. The study also aimed to capture the perspectives of various language teachers who engage with these platforms, as well as those who do not, through in-depth interviews. The ultimate goal was to contribute to the existing body of research on AI by offering insights into what is happening in AI-focused online teacher communities, while also discussing the potential and challenges of such communities as collaborative environments for improving teaching practices in the context of rapidly evolving technological advancements.