INTEGRATING GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CHEMICAL EDUCATION: DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS AND PEDAGOGICAL EFFICACY ASSESSMENT
Generative Artificial Intelligence, Chemistry Education, Problem-Based Learning, Personalized Learning.
In an increasingly interconnected world, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including Artificial Intelligence (AI), have emerged as transformative forces in chemical education. Despite teachers' familiarity with everyday technologies, the effective integration of new technological tools in teaching still faces significant barriers. Consequently, there is a critical need to explore educational strategies and innovative methodologies aimed at bridging the technological gap and advancing educational practices. This study investigated the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in chemical education, focusing on the development of innovative pedagogical tools and the assessment of their efficacy. The primary objective included the creation of an interactive educational product, an e-book titled "DIGITAL ALCHEMY: Transforming Chemical Education with Generative AI," based on Situated Learning Theory and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology. Research on the application of this educational resource was conducted with chemistry teachers, who assigned an average rating of 8.5, reflecting a generally favorable view of GAI's potential to enhance chemical education. Nevertheless, 65% of participants emphasized the importance of human intervention to ensure the accuracy of analyses performed by Generative AI. The findings indicated that GAI could become a vital educational resource in the teaching-learning process, personalizing content and facilitating the understanding of complex concepts. However, challenges such as adequate teacher training and technological infrastructure need to be addressed for effective implementation. The final considerations highlight the importance of continuously exploring and refining the use of GAI to promote a more interactive, effective, and individualized education.