What is FoResTCHAT?
In light of increasing teacher shortages and high attrition rates in the teaching profession, the FoResTCHAT project aims to strengthen the psychological resilience of pre-service primary teachers. Building on the existing FoResT and BeeChat platforms—already in use at the Bern University of Teacher Education (PH Bern) and Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), respectively—FoResTCHAT integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) to create a more interactive, personalized, and adaptive learning experience within a locally hosted, privacy-preserving environment.
The platform combines pedagogical and technological innovations to foster metacognitive reflection, emotional engagement, and adaptive learning. Key features include dialogue-based task completion with text-based personas, real-time feedback on learner input, and adaptive task design tailored to individual needs. These elements aim to enhance students' self-regulation, motivation, and professional competence.
Effectiveness, user experience, and technology acceptance will be evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative usability testing and a quasi-experimental study with students at PH Bern. The evaluation focuses on individual outcomes such as resilience, well-being, and adaptive coping strategies, as well as usability and acceptance indicators including perceived usefulness, engagement, and personalization.
FoResTCHAT contributes to the evidence-based advancement of digital learning and the use of LLMs in teacher education. The platform will be progressively integrated into regular teaching practice and further developed for diverse educational contexts and regions across Switzerland.
