Development and application of PBL-based machine learning education program to improve elementary school students' problem solving skills

Abstract

Objectives In this study, a PBL-based elementary artificial intelligence teaching and learning model is designed to improve problem-solving ability, and an education program is developed based on the PBL-based elementary artificial intelligence teaching and learning model. In addition, the purpose of this study is to verify the validity by analyzing the effect of artificial intelligence education programs on improving elementary school students' problem-solving skills by applying the developed education program. Methods To this end, a problem-oriented learning (PBL)-based artificial intelligence teaching and learning model was designed through consideration of previous studies, and a total of 16 problem-oriented learning (PBL)-based elementary machine learning education programs were developed. Software and artificial intelligence education experts were reviewed for the developed program, and the developed education program was applied to 30 students in 1 class in 5th grade of M Elementary School in Busan. The effectiveness of problem-solving ability improvement of problem-based learning-based machine learning education programs was analyzed by analyzing the program-applied pre- and post-test papers through the corresponding sample t-test of SPSS Statistics. Results The average value increased in all areas of problem-solving ability recognition, information collection, analysis, diffusion thinking, decision-making, planning, execution and risk-taking, evaluation, and feedback, and significant differences were also found in the significance level standards. As a result of analyzing the survey and interviews of students after the application of the education program, it was found that AI education was necessary, interested, and useful, and helped improve creativity and thinking skills, and had a positive effect on career choices related to AI. Conclusions It was confirmed that the PBL-based elementary machine learning education program has a positive effect on problem-solving skills and artificial intelligence education for fifth graders, and it is expected to be used as a reference for follow-up studies of artificial intelligence education programs considering various grades, school forms, and convergence with subjects.