An Exploration of the Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on College Students' Higher-Order Thinking Skills: A Teaching Practice Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aims to explore the impact of generative artificial intelligence (abbreviated as GAI) in higher education on students' learning experience, learning outcomes, and higher-order thinking skills (abbreviated as HOTS). By comparing GAI-assisted learning with traditional internet search-based learning, as well as collaborative learning with independent learning under GAI assistance, this research adopts methods such as questionnaire surveys, informal interviews, teaching observations, and work analysis to examine performance differences under different learning modes. The results show that, compared with traditional internet search learning, GAI-assisted learning can promote the development of students’ critical and creative thinking abilities to a certain extent, and that collaborative learning under GAI is more effective than independent learning. The effectiveness of GAI applications is influenced by multiple interdependent factors, including:(1) technical infrastructure (hardware/software availability and network stability), (2) learner capabilities (foundational GAI operational proficiency and digital literacy), (3) pedagogical support (teacher guidance quality and feedback mechanisms), and (4) cognitive readiness levels, which collectively determine the efficacy of GAI applications in educational contexts.
Author: Gao Juan
Institution: Zhaoqing University
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410934684