Using Artificial Intelligence to support students’ active learning

Abstract

The necessity of supporting students to be active learners warrants the development and integration of active learning approaches within curricula. Technology, particularly with the advancement in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), provides opportunities to develop such approaches. This case study presents an example of an innovative method of using GenAI to promote interactive learning. The approach involved students’ working through a series of questions, as in an open book assessment format, but with the opportunity to use GenAI as a virtual tutor. This provided a mechanism for students to practise active learning while receiving individualised support from GenAI. Our evaluation suggested that students found the approach effective as it enabled them to learn through knowledge application instead of rote learning and provided opportunities to use GenAI to obtain instant, personalised feedback which they could act on to improve on their learning.