Bridging the Gap: ChatGPT's Role in Enhancing STEM Education

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Title: Bridging the Gap: ChatGPT's Role in Enhancing STEM Education
Language: English
Authors: Lingfei Luan (ORCID 0000-0002-8574-6578), Xi Lin (ORCID 0000-0003-2387-4117), Yan Dai (ORCID 0000-0003-1170-7776)
Source: Open Praxis. 2025 17(1):108-128.
Availability: International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: https://openpraxis.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, STEM Education, Neurosciences, Student Attitudes, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Retention (Psychology), Interaction, Program Effectiveness, Feedback (Response), Interpersonal Relationship, Undergraduate Students, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: China
ISSN: 1369-9997
2304-070X
Abstract: This paper investigates how ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, can be introduced to STEM education, specifically, an "Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience" class. Using mixed-method research, the study conducted an experiment to collect students' performance scores and their feedback to examine the potential impacts from ChatGPT on their critical thinking skills, long-term retention of knowledge, and group learning interactions through collaborative projects. The results demonstrate significant disparities between AI-generated (ChatGPT) and human input. Upon analyzing the grade fluctuations before and after receiving input, it was shown that students who received feedback from ChatGPT encountered a more significant decrease (median = -12) compared to those who received feedback from humans (median = -5). This result indicates potential shortcomings in the effectiveness of AI feedback. Human feedback has significantly higher Retention Proxy scores than that of ChatGPT feedback, suggesting that human feedback can be potentially more effective in fostering long-term retention of course material. Investigation into collaboration dynamics of learning found that feedback given by humans tends to be more positive (63 vs. 40 in sentiment score) and also more focused on improvement and understanding. The theme of feedback is different between two conditions. That is, human feedback emphasizes scientific and detailed approaches while ChatGPT feedback emphasizes educational aspects and cognitive functions. These results indicate that while ChatGPT has potential benefits on educational settings, human feedback is superior in many ways. This study contributes to the continuing discourse on the use of AI in STEM education and emphasizes the significance of maintaining a harmonious combination of AI and human involvement in delivering educational feedback.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1470199
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Bridging the Gap: ChatGPT's Role in Enhancing STEM Education
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lingfei+Luan%22">Lingfei Luan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8574-6578">0000-0002-8574-6578</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xi+Lin%22">Xi Lin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2387-4117">0000-0003-2387-4117</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yan+Dai%22">Yan Dai</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1170-7776">0000-0003-1170-7776</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Open+Praxis%22"><i>Open Praxis</i></searchLink>. 2025 17(1):108-128.
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  Data: International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: https://openpraxis.org/
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  Data: 21
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neurosciences%22">Neurosciences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thinking+Skills%22">Thinking Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retention+%28Psychology%29%22">Retention (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interaction%22">Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Feedback+%28Response%29%22">Feedback (Response)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Relationship%22">Interpersonal Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 1369-9997<br />2304-070X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This paper investigates how ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, can be introduced to STEM education, specifically, an "Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience" class. Using mixed-method research, the study conducted an experiment to collect students' performance scores and their feedback to examine the potential impacts from ChatGPT on their critical thinking skills, long-term retention of knowledge, and group learning interactions through collaborative projects. The results demonstrate significant disparities between AI-generated (ChatGPT) and human input. Upon analyzing the grade fluctuations before and after receiving input, it was shown that students who received feedback from ChatGPT encountered a more significant decrease (median = -12) compared to those who received feedback from humans (median = -5). This result indicates potential shortcomings in the effectiveness of AI feedback. Human feedback has significantly higher Retention Proxy scores than that of ChatGPT feedback, suggesting that human feedback can be potentially more effective in fostering long-term retention of course material. Investigation into collaboration dynamics of learning found that feedback given by humans tends to be more positive (63 vs. 40 in sentiment score) and also more focused on improvement and understanding. The theme of feedback is different between two conditions. That is, human feedback emphasizes scientific and detailed approaches while ChatGPT feedback emphasizes educational aspects and cognitive functions. These results indicate that while ChatGPT has potential benefits on educational settings, human feedback is superior in many ways. This study contributes to the continuing discourse on the use of AI in STEM education and emphasizes the significance of maintaining a harmonious combination of AI and human involvement in delivering educational feedback.
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  Data: EJ1470199
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 108
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Neurosciences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Retention (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Interaction
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Feedback (Response)
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – TitleFull: Bridging the Gap: ChatGPT's Role in Enhancing STEM Education
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