The Impact of the Use of ChatGPT in Enhancing Students' Engagement and Learning Outcomes in Higher Education: A Review
Ruilin Zhao, Melor Md Yunus, Karmila Rafiqah M. Rafiq
Abstract
As a large Artificial Intelligence (AI) language model designed by the OpenAI, ChatGPT is perceived as a ‘revolutionary framework in natural language processing’ (Haque, 2023). Indeed, ChatGPT greatly influence various social aspects, and in particular, it has tremendous impact on the contemporary educational system globally, in terms of changes in pedagogical approach, teaching and learning method, as well as students’ participation and academic outcome. Due to its complicated nature of application, it is necessary to examine if ChatGPT is an appropriate tool for instructors and students during the academic process. Using Reeve’s (2013) model, this paper aims at addressing how does the utilisation of ChatGPT may have improved students’ engagement and academic outcome in China. This includes evaluation of students’ autonomy during learning, motivation for solving questions, critical thinking, as well as overall academic performance. This paper based on a comprehensive literature review that examines students’ attitudes and learning outcome through the application of ChatGPT. The review findings suggest that students’ learning engagement can be greatly improved through the use of ChatGPT, whereas in some certain situations, the application of certain AI tools may have hindered their academic development. This may include considerations around ethics, academic integrity, as well as reliability. This paper also suggests certain ways to improve these facets, so that ChatGPT can be used in a relatively more effective and appropriate way.