Emily Fanning
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Ying Xu
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Educational Studies / Education
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 90
Abstract
In recent years, our research has focused on understanding children’s engagement with conversational artificial intelligence (AI). While previous interactions involved structured question-and-answer sessions, the emergence of advanced language models, like ChatGPT, opens the possibility of exploring more spontaneous and less structured exchanges. This shift could empower children to express themselves through creativity and imagination. Our goal is to investigate the impact of large language models and generative AI on children’s education, starting with a research study employing AI for collaborative math-oriented storytelling. ChatGPT is being utilized for the study, allowing the model to collaboratively create math-based narratives with children. The interactive process involves alternating contributions from both children and the AI, fostering an environment where mathematical knowledge and linguistic skills guide the story. The study includes two 30-minute sessions for children aged four to eight. The first session involves story creation, math puzzles, and questions about everyday objects. The second session includes either co-creating or listening to a math-based story, followed by post-tests to evaluate learning outcomes and enjoyment levels. The use of generative AI for collaborative storytelling with children is a novel approach, and the results will provide insights into the potential impact on learning mathematical terms and the overall enjoyment derived from the activity. This research seeks to expand our understanding of how large language models and generative AI can influence children’s education. The outcomes of this study may have implications for innovative educational approaches, leveraging AI to enhance creative and educational experiences for young learners. We anticipate publishing our results on our lab website, contributing to the evolving field of AI in education.
