Collaborative Learning with Artificial Intelligence Speakers

This research aims to demonstrate that artificial intelligence (AI) can function not only as a tool for learning, but also as an intelligent agent with which humans can engage in collaborative learning (CL) to change epistemic practices in science classrooms. We adopted a design and development research approach, following the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model, to prototype a tangible instructional system called Collaborative Learning with AI Speakers (CLAIS). The CLAIS system is designed to have 3–4 human learners join an AI speaker to form a small group, where humans and AI are considered peers participating in the Jigsaw learning process. The development was carried out using the NUGU AI speaker platform. The CLAIS system was successfully implemented in a Science Education course session with 15 pre-service elementary science teachers. The participants evaluated the CLAIS system through mixed methods surveys as teachers, learners, peers, and users. Quantitative data showed that the participants’ Intelligent-Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge was significantly increased after the CLAIS session, the perception of the CLAIS learning experience was positive, the peer assessment on AI speakers and human peers was different, and the user experience was ambivalent. Qualitative data showed that the participants came to anticipate future changes in the epistemic process in science classrooms, while acknowledging technical issues such as speech recognition and response latency. This study highlights the potential of human-AI collaboration for knowledge co-construction in authentic classroom settings and exemplifies how AI could shape the future landscape of epistemic practices in the classroom.