AI as a Tool for Teacher Training in Health Education and Its Relationship with the Three Dimensional Scale of Attitude to Health Education (3-D HED).

Abstract

Teacher preparedness remains a critical challenge in the effective delivery of school, 
community, and environmental health education in Nigeria. Traditional professional 
development approaches have demonstrated limited sustainability, thereby increasing 
interest in scalable alternatives such as artificial intelligence (AI). Teacher training is 
central to effective health education in Nigerian schools; however, educators often 
exhibit varied attitudes shaped by cognitive, affective, and behavioural factors. This 
manuscript examines how AI can serve as an innovative tool to strengthen teacher 
training in health education, guided by the Three-Dimensional Scale of Attitude to 
Health Education (3-D HED). Drawing on existing literature, qualitative insights, policy 
analysis, and evidence from a pilot study, the paper proposes the AI-Enhanced 
Attitudinal Transformation (AI-EAT) model as a framework for improving teacher 
competence through adaptive learning, simulation-based instruction, virtual 
mentorship, and performance analytics. It is argued that AI has the potential to enhance 
teachers’ knowledge, motivation, and instructional behaviour, particularly in the context 
of global health challenges, misinformation, environmental change, and ongoing digital 
transformation. The manuscript concludes by outlining implications for policymakers, 
teacher-training institutions, curriculum developers, and researchers, with emphasis on 
the ethical, equitable, and sustainable use of AI in health education.