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Leveraging AI Chatbots for Self-Directed Learning: A Study of Practices and Drivers to Adoption among College Students

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Title: Leveraging AI Chatbots for Self-Directed Learning: A Study of Practices and Drivers to Adoption among College Students
Language: English
Authors: Antara Mukherjee (ORCID 0009-0002-2401-8064), Shashi Singh (ORCID 0000-0001-8706-8590)
Source: Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education. 2026 27(1):70-81.
Availability: Anadolu University. Office of the Rector, Eskisehir, 26470, Turkey. Tel: +90-222-335-34-53; Fax: +90-222-335-34-86; e-mail: rektor@anadolu.edu.tr; e-mail: TOJDE@anadolu.edu.tr; Web site: http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Independent Study, College Students, Technology Integration, Influences, Barriers, Usability, Affordances, Student Attitudes, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: India
ISSN: 1302-6488
Abstract: AI chatbots, the interactive software, utilizing natural language processing and artificial intelligence (AI), are increasingly used in various domains, including education, where they offer personalized and adaptive learning support. This study explores college students' utilization of AI chatbots in their self-directed learning experiences, where learners initiate, plan, and regulate their learning activities themselves. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive approach, a quantitative survey was used to scrutinize the AI chatbot usage practices and the factors that influences their adoption among randomly selected 200 college students from diverse backgrounds. Findings reveal a spectrum of purposes for using the interacting agents, including information seeking, problem solving, completing assignments, feedback, and motivation. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) scrutinised usability, ethical considerations, and technological barriers as the factors affecting AI chatbot adoption among students in higher education. To assess the strength of relationships between these factors and participants' adoption behaviour, regression analysis was conducted, which depicted a significant contribution to the study's model. Contributing to the literature on AI chatbots and self-directed learning, this research offers implications for educators, developers, and policymakers in designing and implementing AI chatbots effectively and ethically for education. Considering recent tech advancements and educational needs, institutions should consider integrating AI chatbots into their learning systems to enhance overall educational experiences and outcomes. With the limitation of considering less factors, this study can be a starting point of research on leveraging AI-based technologies towards achieving self-guided learning goals.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1497913
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Leveraging AI Chatbots for Self-Directed Learning: A Study of Practices and Drivers to Adoption among College Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Antara+Mukherjee%22">Antara Mukherjee</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2401-8064">0009-0002-2401-8064</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shashi+Singh%22">Shashi Singh</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8706-8590">0000-0001-8706-8590</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Turkish+Online+Journal+of+Distance+Education%22"><i>Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(1):70-81.
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  Data: Anadolu University. Office of the Rector, Eskisehir, 26470, Turkey. Tel: +90-222-335-34-53; Fax: +90-222-335-34-86; e-mail: rektor@anadolu.edu.tr; e-mail: TOJDE@anadolu.edu.tr; Web site: http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/
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  Data: AI chatbots, the interactive software, utilizing natural language processing and artificial intelligence (AI), are increasingly used in various domains, including education, where they offer personalized and adaptive learning support. This study explores college students' utilization of AI chatbots in their self-directed learning experiences, where learners initiate, plan, and regulate their learning activities themselves. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive approach, a quantitative survey was used to scrutinize the AI chatbot usage practices and the factors that influences their adoption among randomly selected 200 college students from diverse backgrounds. Findings reveal a spectrum of purposes for using the interacting agents, including information seeking, problem solving, completing assignments, feedback, and motivation. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) scrutinised usability, ethical considerations, and technological barriers as the factors affecting AI chatbot adoption among students in higher education. To assess the strength of relationships between these factors and participants' adoption behaviour, regression analysis was conducted, which depicted a significant contribution to the study's model. Contributing to the literature on AI chatbots and self-directed learning, this research offers implications for educators, developers, and policymakers in designing and implementing AI chatbots effectively and ethically for education. Considering recent tech advancements and educational needs, institutions should consider integrating AI chatbots into their learning systems to enhance overall educational experiences and outcomes. With the limitation of considering less factors, this study can be a starting point of research on leveraging AI-based technologies towards achieving self-guided learning goals.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 70
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
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      – SubjectFull: Independent Study
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Technology Integration
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      – SubjectFull: Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: India
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