PROACTIVE EDUCATORS IN THE CONTEXT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN THE SCOPUS DATABASE

Abstract

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on proactive teaching and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in education published between 2020 and 2025. The aim of the study is to identify key trends, research priorities, and the characteristics of the development of the research community in this field. The empirical basis of the study consists of Scopus data processed using Elsevier's SciVal analytical platform.

The results reveal a consistent rise in publishing efforts, especially from 2023 onward, suggesting an increasing enthusiasm for the active teaching method amid the digital evolution of education. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, holds leading positions in terms of publication output and scientific impact. Among the most productive and highly cited researchers, Gašević Dragan stands out. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the transformation of teachers' professional roles in the context of digitalization and provide a foundation for further interdisciplinary research.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the degree of thematic integration between research on proactive teaching behavior and artificial intelligence in education based on a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications from 2020 to 2025. Unlike studies that examine AI primarily from technological or didactic perspectives, the present research assesses the representation of professional proactivity and teacher agency within the emerging interdisciplinary research landscape.

The examination of the material demonstrated the prevalence of research fields like active learning, metacognition, students' viewpoints, educator training, post-secondary education, and generative AI. The results can be utilized in subsequent theoretical and empirical investigations, in addition to shaping educational approaches and professional growth initiatives for instructors designed to promote active engagement and the successful incorporation of AI tools in teaching practices.