Work

The impact of university students’ computational thinking on AI literacy: A longitudinal study based on SEM-PLS

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Artificial intelligence literacy is a core competency that underpins individual development. Although previous studies have demonstrated a cross-sectional association between computational thinking and artificial intelligence literacy, there has been little analysis of their longitudinal effects. This study utilized a sample of 216 undergraduate students from southern China and employed structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) and paired-sample t-tests. Through a two-stage longitudinal data analysis, the study found that computational thinking has a significant positive effect on artificial intelligence literacy and that both competencies improved significantly over time. By tracking the evolution of these two competencies, this study offers a novel longitudinal perspective, confirms their synchronous development, and highlights the stability of their cross-sectional relationship, thereby providing theoretical foundations and methodological references for educational practice.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0350124

Authors: Qiuyu Li, Tinglan Huang, Lehui Huang, Xueshi Wu

Institutions: Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Emilio Aguinaldo College

Language: English

Topic: Teaching and Learning Programming

Subfield: Computer Science Applications

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382