Since the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022, higher education institutions and educators have been exploring the role of Generative AI (GenAI) in academia. With its ability to produce human-like content, such as text and images, and imitate human abilities and skills, GenAI is viewed both as a disruptor of the status quo in education and a catalyst for rethinking teaching and learning (Jensen, Buhl, Sharma, & Bearman, 2024).
While researchers acknowledge GenAI’s potential to enhance education, they also recognize its capacity to negatively affect student learning (Kasneci et al., 2023). Unlike previous educational technologies, which were often slow to be adopted (Liu et al., 2020), GenAI stands out due to its accessibility, adaptability, and widespread societal impact. As a result, GenAI is already reshaping the educational landscape and will continue to do so in the future.
In a series of studies, we focus on two key areas: (1) educators’ and students’ AI literacy, perceptions, and experiences, and (2) the impact of GenAI tools within learning environments. These studies aim to shed light on the competencies and skills that both educators and students need to develop, as well as how didactics must be rethought in times of GenAI.
Research field 1:
Research field 2:
The studies employ a wide range of methodological approaches to explore how teaching and learning need to be rethought in times of GenAI, including cross-sectional survey designs and (quasi-)experimental designs. In addition to traditional qualitative and quantitative methods, the studies incorporate innovative methodologies, such as Natural Language Processing and GenAI-enhanced qualitative analyses, to further investigate their potential applicability in educational research.
The studies will contribute to shaping the emerging field of AI literacy in education by providing educators with research-based insights on effectively integrating GenAI tools into their teaching practices. They will offer valuable guidance on the competencies and skills needed by both educators and students in times of GenAI, helping to rethink pedagogical approaches. Additionally, the studies will explore the potential of AI methods to enrich educational research. Ultimately, this research aims to enable responsible, informed decision-making for the future of education in an increasingly AI-driven world.
