Research Article

An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates' Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”

Volume: 16 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
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An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates' Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”

Abstract

This study aims to examine preschool teacher candidates' perceptions of artificial intelligence through metaphors. Fifty-four students enrolled in the preschool education department of a foundation university's education faculty in Istanbul during the 2024-2025 academic year participated. However, only 50 teacher candidates' responses were included in the analysis. Research data were collected via online survey form containing open-ended questions. Participants were asked to complete the sentence “Artificial intelligence is like ... because ...” and the responses were examined using qualitative data analysis techniques. According to the research findings, teacher candidates' metaphorical perceptions of the concept of artificial intelligence can be grouped under five themes. The findings show that artificial intelligence is most often conceptualized in terms of human-like characteristics, followed by perceptions related to cognitive power and technological-mechanical qualities. To a more limited extent, artificial intelligence has been conceptualized as a functional-instrumental structure and an abstract value. In general, it can be said that teacher candidates position artificial intelligence as both a human-like system and a system with high cognitive capacity. The results obtained show that teacher candidates' perceptions of artificial intelligence mostly remain at a superficial level, but some candidates are able to develop a deeper and more pedagogical understanding of this concept. In this context, while teacher candidates in different disciplines are receiving education in education faculties, increasing their metaphorical work can enable teacher candidates to think more deeply and express their thoughts from different perspectives.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Ethical Statement

This research was conducted with the permission obtained by the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Social and Human Sciences Board's decision dated 20/12/2024 and numbered E-20292139-050.04-2400046334.

Thanks

Thank you to all teacher candidates who participated in the study.

References

  1. Verdiğiniz referans listesi, her iki kaynak arasında birer satır boşluk bırakılarak, scannability (göz gezdirme kolaylığı) ve okunabilirlik standartlarına uygun şekilde aşağıda düzenlenmiştir:
  2. Ağmaz, R. F., & Ergüleç, F. (2024). Öğretmen adaylarının eğitimde yapay zekâ algıları: Bir metafor analizi. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Ereğli Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 6(2), 589-605. https://izlik.org/JA52MJ25DZ
  3. Aktaş, A. (2021). Yönetici ve öğretmen görüşlerine göre yapay zekâ: Bir metafor çalışması. 1. Ulusal Eğitimde Yapay Zekâ Uygulamaları Kongresi, 28-30 Haziran, ss. 4–36, Şanlıurfa Harran Üniversitesi.
  4. Araújo, J. (2024). Can ChatGPT enhance chemistry laboratory teaching? Using prompt engineering to enable AI in generating laboratory activities. Journal of Chemical Education, 101(5), 1858-1864. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00745
  5. Artificial Intelligence Index Report (2025). Stanford University Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2025-ai-index-report (Kaynağa 27.05.2025 tarihinde erişilmiştir).
  6. August, S. E., & Tsaima, A. (2021). Artificial Intelligence and machine learning: An instructor’s exoskeleton in the future of Education. Innovative Learning Environments in STEM Higher Education, 79–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58948-6_5
  7. Barış Eren, N. (2022). Sağlık bakımında yapay zekâ temelli yeni nesil teknoloji uygulamaları. İ. Demirhan (Edt.), Sağlık & Bilim 2022: Yeni Nesil Teknolojiler (ss.121-133), Efe Akademi Yayınları.
  8. Barrett, A. & Pack, A. (2023). Not quite eye to A.I.: student and teacher perspectives on the use of generative artificial intelligence in the writing process. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20, 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00427-0

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators, Early Childhood Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

November 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Köken, C. (2026). An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences, 16(1), 302-321. https://doi.org/10.17984/adyuebd.1817149
AMA
1.Köken C. An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence.” AUJES. 2026;16(1):302-321. doi:10.17984/adyuebd.1817149
Chicago
Köken, Cansu. 2026. “An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of ‘Artificial Intelligence’”. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences 16 (1): 302-21. https://doi.org/10.17984/adyuebd.1817149.
EndNote
Köken C (June 1, 2026) An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences 16 1 302–321.
IEEE
[1]C. Köken, “An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of ‘Artificial Intelligence’”, AUJES, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 302–321, June 2026, doi: 10.17984/adyuebd.1817149.
ISNAD
Köken, Cansu. “An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of ‘Artificial Intelligence’”. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences 16/1 (June 1, 2026): 302-321. https://doi.org/10.17984/adyuebd.1817149.
JAMA
1.Köken C. An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”. AUJES. 2026;16:302–321.
MLA
Köken, Cansu. “An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of ‘Artificial Intelligence’”. Adıyaman University Journal of Educational Sciences, vol. 16, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 302-21, doi:10.17984/adyuebd.1817149.
Vancouver
1.Cansu Köken. An Investigation of Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Metaphorical Perceptions of the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”. AUJES. 2026 Jun. 1;16(1):302-21. doi:10.17984/adyuebd.1817149

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
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