An Exploratory Study on the Efficacy and Inclusivity of AI Technologies in Diverse Learning Environments

Michael Pin-Chuan Lin (), Arita Li Liu, Eric Poitras, Maiga Chang and Daniel H. Chang
Additional contact information
Michael Pin-Chuan Lin: Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada
Arita Li Liu: Center for Educational Excellence, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Eric Poitras: Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Maiga Chang: Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada
Daniel H. Chang: Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: This exploratory research conducted a thematic analysis of students’ experiences and utilization of AI tools by students in educational settings. We surveyed 87 undergraduates from two different educational courses at a comprehensive university in Western Canada. Nine integral themes that represent AI’s role in student learning and key issues with respect to AI have been identified. The study yielded three critical insights: the potential of AI to expand educational access for a diverse student body, the necessity for robust ethical frameworks to govern AI, and the benefits of personalized AI-driven support. Based on the results, a model is proposed along with recommendations for an optimal learning environment, where AI facilitates meaningful learning. We argue that integrating AI tools into learning has the potential to promote inclusivity and accessibility by making learning more accessible to diverse students. We also advocate for a shift in perception among educational stakeholders towards AI, calling for de-stigmatization of its use in education. Overall, our findings suggest that academic institutions should establish clear, empirical guidelines defining student conduct with respect to what is considered appropriate AI use.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; educational inclusivity; inclusion; learning ecosystem; ChatGPT; student voice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/20/8992/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/20/8992/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:20:p:8992-:d:1500854

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().