Learning Environment Research Articles

Smartphones: A Catalyst for Tobacco Control Training in India

The tobacco crisis confronting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires scale-up of effective tobacco control programs, such as Tobacco Free Teachers-Tobacco Free Society (TFT-TFS). We previously demonstrated the efficacy of TFT-TFS in increasing tobacco use cessation among teachers and schools’ adoption of tobacco control policies in Bihar, India. To scale TFT-TFS, we are now pioneering a smartphone-based mobile learning strategy to train principals (or their designees) in Madhya Pradesh to implement and monitor TFT-TFS in schools. Research underscores the transformative potential of mobile learning: a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to in-person training methods. Our study is a unique opportunity to test a training approach that could have implications for wider and more efficient delivery of other public health programs. The strategic use of gamification and digital storytelling enhances the TFT-TFS mobile training app. Gamification mechanics—including points, leaderboards, and digital badging—foster a dynamic learning environment to enhance learning outcomes. This approach propels continuous participant engagement toward understanding and implementation of TFT-TFS’s six monthly themes and four program components. The TFT-TFS smartphone training program weaves in elements of Indian culture, notably the symbolic use of colors and kites. The Indian kite festival celebrates communal harmony through healthy competition. Similarly, the app employs the idea of school kites, which are divided into six blank segments corresponding to the TFT-TFS monthly themes. Participants navigate each module, engaging with animated videos, digital assessments, and interactive activities. Upon a principal’s successful completion of each monthly theme’s program components, the school’s kite receives a new color, unlocking the subsequent theme. The TFT-TFS smartphone training showcases a unique interactive mobile learning application that integrates gamification and tests how to scale up an effective tobacco control program in schools in India and other LMICs. The TFT-TFS smartphone-based training app may also have relevance to other public health-related training efforts in resource-constrained areas.

Estrategias de Enseñanza STEM: Un Análisis de Métodos Activos en el Aula

The research analyzes active teaching strategies in STEM education, focusing on methodologies such as gamification, project-based learning (PBL), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), educational robotics, and the flipped classroom model. These methodologies have shown to improve academic performance, knowledge retention, and the development of critical skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Despite the benefits, implementation faces significant challenges, including resistance from both teachers and students. The research highlights that combining traditional and active methods can help overcome these challenges, creating more dynamic and equitable learning environments. It also suggests that the success of these strategies largely depends on teacher training, willingness, and institutional support. In conclusion, active strategies are essential to better prepare students for the technological and scientific challenges of the future.

Perspectives of Czech High School Students on Cheating in Remote Education

This study explores the perspectives of Czech high school students on using digital technologies for cheating during remote education, a phenomenon encouraged by the abrupt transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a mixed-methods research design, this study collected data via an online questionnaire with 24 questions completed by 316 students from secondary schools and conducted individual interviews with seven teachers. In their study, the authors focus on three questions: How much do high school students know which digital technology they can use for cheating in remote online education? What are their experiences with cheating in remote online education? What are the preventive solutions recommended by students and teachers to eliminate online cheating? The research findings indicate that students perceive online cheating as justifiable, primarily due to their disengagement with the course material and lack of interest in learning under the pandemic's extraordinary circumstances. Students frequently used technical means for cheating, with mobile phones and screen-sharing during online tests being the most popular methods. Additionally, the use of internet resources to find answers was the most commonly reported form of online cheating. To address this issue, students outlined various anti-cheating strategies, categorised into three perspectives: pessimistic, practical, and critical-realistic. The pessimistic perspective indicates scepticism about the feasibility of effectively combating cheating, whereas the practical perspective offers tangible, immediate solutions. The critical-realistic view provides a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to the problem, suggesting a balance between understanding the complexities of cheating and implementing realistic measures. The study highlights educators' critical role and emphasises the importance of aligning assessment methods with students' learning needs and expectations to reduce cheating tendencies naturally. The rise of AI technologies has introduced new dimensions to the problem of online cheating, as AI tools can facilitate academic dishonesty. However, AI can help detect and prevent cheating. The authors suggest using formative assessments and creating an engaging, supportive online learning environment to deter dishonesty and promote academic integrity.

Innovative Research on the Application of Flexible Learning in Classroom Teaching at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Thailand

This article aims to introduce an innovative approach to classroom student participation and academic performance in a flexible learning environment at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Thailand. To achieve this goal, a series of theories, concepts, and related research were reviewed and a comprehensive model of relevant factors was constructed. The research design adopted a mixed methods approach, utilizing quantitative research to test the relationships between variables in the model, followed by qualitative research to gain a deeper understanding of how these factors affect students’ grades. Combining the results of quantitative and qualitative research can provide guidance for improving the performance of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University students in flexible learning systems in Thailand.

Exploring the Perception of the Impact of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) in the Generative AI Era in Engineering Education

Objective: This study explores students' perceptions of using Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) in the era of generative artificial intelligence as a learning resource in higher education. The specific objectives are: 1) to determine the current tools that students incorporate into their PLEs and 2) to identify students' perceptions of the use of PLEs for lifelong learning. Theoretical Framework: UNESCO and other institutions recognize lifelong learning as an essential competency for personal and professional development. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) are considered effective tools for promoting self-directed learning, allowing students to manage their learning processes, especially with the advent of generative artificial intelligence technologies. Method: A qualitative study was conducted with 207 first-semester engineering students from a public university in Peru. Participants were introduced to a training program to develop their PLEs using various digital tools, including generative AI tools such as ChatGPT DALL-E. The instrument used to evaluate students' perceptions was the MUSIC model (Jones, 2009), which focuses on empowerment and usefulness. Results: The results indicate that more than 80% of the students positively perceive PLEs, considering them valuable and empowering tools for achieving their learning objectives. Integrating generative AI tools into PLEs is notable, as it provides a dynamic and personalized learning experience. Most students found PLEs helpful for their future and relevant for promoting lifelong learning skills. Research Implications: The research suggests that PLEs, especially when integrated with generative AI tools, positively impact self-directed learning and promote collaborative and social learning. These findings can inform the development of educational programs and policies that encourage using PLEs as a student-centered learning strategy. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding of the role of PLEs in the context of higher education and generative artificial intelligence. It is one of the first studies to examine students' perceptions of using PLEs with generative AI tools, highlighting their potential to enhance learning autonomy and personalization.

Enhancing legal writing skills: The impact of formative feedback in a hybrid intelligence learning environment

AbstractRecent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly influenced educational technologies, reshaping the teaching and learning landscape. However, the notion of fully automating the teaching process remains contentious. This paper explores the concept of hybrid intelligence (HI), which emphasizes the synergistic collaboration between AI and humans to optimize learning outcomes. Despite the potential of AI‐enhanced learning systems, their application in a human‐AI collaboration system often fails to meet anticipated standards, and there needs to be more empirical evidence showcasing their effectiveness. To address this gap, this study investigates whether formative feedback in an HI learning environment helps law students learn from their errors and write more structured and persuasive legal texts. We conducted a field experiment in a law course to analyse the impact of formative feedback on the exam results of 43 law students, as well as on the writer (students), the writing product and the writing process. In the control group, students received feedback conforming to the legal common practice, where they solved legal problems and subsequently received general feedback from a lecturer based on a sample solution. Students in the treatment group were provided with formative feedback that specifically targeted their individual errors, thereby stimulating internal cognitive processes within the students. Our investigation revealed that participants who were provided with formative feedback rooted in their errors within structured and persuasive legal writing outperformed the control group in producing qualitative, better legal text during an exam. Furthermore, the analysed qualitative student statements also suggest that formative feedback promotes students' self‐efficacy and self‐regulated learning. Our findings indicate that integrating formative feedback rooted in individual errors enhances students' legal writing skills. This underscores the hybrid nature of AI, empowering students to identify their errors and improve in a more self‐regulated manner. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Collaboration between humans and AI in educational settings advances learning mutually, fostering a unified developmental process. Collaborative education models advocate leveraging human and AI strengths for adaptive learning. Despite abundant theoretical research, empirical studies in HI remain limited. This gap underscores the need for more evidence‐based approaches in integrating AI into educational settings. What this paper adds Field experiment investigating the impact of formative feedback in a hybrid intelligence learning environment based on the theory of learning from errors. Comparison of a traditional legal learning environment (lecturer teaching using sample solutions) versus formative feedback in a hybrid intelligence learning environment. Implementing formative machine learning‐based feedback supports law students in producing more structured and persuasive legal texts, leading to enhanced exam performance and higher grades. Implications for practice and/or policy Our research contributes significantly to computer‐based education by presenting empirical evidence of how formative writing feedback impacts students' legal knowledge and skills in educational settings. This underscores the importance of incorporating empirical data into the development of AI‐based educational tools to ensure their effectiveness. By focusing on individual errors corrected by formative feedback, we contribute to the learning from errors literature stream. This perspective offers valuable insights into how such feedback can support students' writing and learning processes, filling a gap in empirical evidence. Our findings demonstrate the potential impact of ML‐based learning systems, particularly in large‐scale learning environments like legal mass lectures. Formative writing feedback emerges as a scalable and beneficial addition to traditional learning environments, triggering internal learning processes, fostering self‐regulated learning and increasing self‐efficacy among students. By demonstrating the effectiveness of formative feedback within the framework of HI, particularly in legal education, our research underscores the potential of combining human understanding with AI‐supported feedback to enhance learning outcomes.

Kahoot! Game‐based digital learning platform: A comprehensive meta‐analysis

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, the widespread use of technology in classrooms has encouraged the transition from traditional lecture methods to digital‐based learning environments. Technological game‐based learning platforms, such as Kahoot!, which are used to encourage students' active participation and interaction in learning environments, are used significantly by teachers and students in educational environments worldwide.ObjectivesThis article aims to examine the effects of Kahoot, a digital learning platform, on education through meta‐analysis. This meta‐analysis provides a holistic understanding of the potential impact of Kahoot on education by synthesizing the results of various experimental studies. This study evaluates the influence of Kahoot on key educational variables, such as academic achievement, retention, motivation, anxiety and attitude, which are essential for enhancing teaching methods and optimizing learning environments.MethodsThe study conducted a meta‐analysis following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA). A total of 43 studies that met the specified criteria were included in the sample, providing a comprehensive overview of the impact of Kahoot across different contexts. The sample was n = 1706 for the experimental group and n = 1647 for the control group.Results and ConclusionThe findings from the meta‐analysis indicate that Kahoot has a significant moderate positive effect on academic achievement, with an average effect size of 0.772 (95%CI: 0.540–1.004). The analysis also shows a very large positive effect on retention, with an average effect size of 1.492, suggesting that students using Kahoot tend to have significantly higher retention compared with those who do not. For motivation, Kahoot demonstrates a large positive effect, with an average effect size of 0.960, indicating that students using Kahoot tend to be more motivated. The impact on anxiety is less clear, with a small negative effect size of −0.338, suggesting a moderate reduction in anxiety levels among students using Kahoot. Lastly, Kahoot appears to have a medium positive effect on students' attitudes towards learning, with an average effect size of 0.678.TakeawaysThese results underscore the potential of Kahoot as an effective educational tool. The results of this study provide valuable guiding information for educators and policy makers by helping to optimize teaching methods and learning environments through the effective use of digital tools, such as Kahoot. The findings suggest that Kahoot can increase academic achievement, retention, motivation and attitudes and potentially reduce anxiety, making it a promising digital tool for modern educational practice.

Defining AI companions: a research agenda—from artificial companions for learning to general artificial companions for Global Harwell

This paper examines and outlines the future exploration of AI companions, focusing on three main areas. Firstly, it defines AI companions as sophisticated AI entities designed for supporting and enhancing human experiences in daily activities, such as learning, working, and others. They encompass emotional, social, and practical aspects of daily life while fostering interactions and relationships with humans. Secondly, the paper provides a historical review of AI companions for learning (i.e., AI learning companions), offering an overview of their conceptualization, development, and utilization in educational contexts and insights into their potential future trajectory. Lastly, a research agenda is presented, which includes AI learning companions—outlining key questions, challenges, and goals for integrating AI companions into learning environments—and the pursuit of Global ‘Harwell’ (a portmanteau of ‘harmony’ and ‘wellbeing’). This suggests that, in addition to transforming education, AI companions can contribute to individual wellbeing as well as broader humanitarian objectives. Beyond contributing to economic growth and efficiency, it is fundamentally important to address the most pressing global challenges or human crises of our time, foster understanding and cooperation among researchers and practitioners in different fields, and hence pave the way toward a future world marked by Global Harwell. To further advocate and demonstrate the pivotal role of AI companions in achieving these genuine objectives, we propose the General Artificial Companion Hypothesis. All these endeavors, however, begin with AI companions for learning. As Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Analytical Study of Experiential Learning: Experiential Learning Theory in Learning Activities

The aim of this research is to describe experiential learning in learning activities. David A. Kolb's Learning Theory highlights four keys stages: experience, reflection, abstract concepts, and active experimentation. This research is a library research or literature review, primarily focus on collecting and reviewing various previous studies on Kolb's learning theory. The findings indicate that the four stages of experiential learning models can enhance student engagement, deepen understanding of subject matter better, develop critical and creative skills to face future challenges, and foster collaborative work, and it can be effectively implemented at all levels of education. It can be concluded that learning activities using the experiential learning model can encourage student involvement to achieve maximum learning outcomes, and can be used at all levels of education while still paying attention to elements of relevance of the material and learning environment. However, there are still several shortcomings and challenges in applying this theory, particularly in terms of resource readiness.

A Comprehensive Review of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in Modern Classrooms

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has become a dominant methodology in language education, emphasizing interaction and practical communication skills over traditional grammar-focused approaches. With the increasing need for language learners to develop real-world communicative competence, CLT has been widely adopted in modern classrooms across various educational contexts. However, its implementation faces challenges such as cultural differences, teacher preparedness, and institutional constraints. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of CLT in contemporary language teaching settings. This study uses a systematic review methodology, analyzing research articles, case studies, and reports published in the last two decades. The review focuses on both qualitative and quantitative studies that assess CLT’s impact on language proficiency, learner motivation, and classroom engagement. It also explores barriers to successful CLT implementation, including teacher training and resource limitations. The findings suggest that CLT has a significant positive impact on learners’ communicative competence and motivation, especially in immersive environments. However, the success of CLT varies depending on the classroom context, cultural backgrounds, and teacher expertise. Moreover, while CLT fosters a more interactive learning experience, challenges such as inadequate teacher training and a lack of suitable materials often hinder its full potential. In conclusion, CLT remains an effective approach to language teaching, but its success is contingent on overcoming implementation barriers. Further research is needed to address these challenges and to explore how CLT can be adapted to different learning environments.

A participatory lens to enhance collaborative learning among university students in rural South Africa

Collaborative learning has been recognised as a highly effective approach to enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and overall academic performance. However, rural university students face unique challenges that may hinder their participation and engagement in collaborative learning activities. This gap may subsequently affect their learning effectiveness, leading to poor academic performance. Therefore, this study explores the challenges faced by rurally located university students in collaborative learning and strategies to enhance their participation. The study is underpinned by social learning theory and framed within a transformative paradigm using a qualitative research approach. Participatory Research was employed as a research design to provide inclusive opportunities for participants to be actively involved in the process of finding solutions to their problems. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit information from 10 randomly selected rural university students enrolled in a particular module at a selected university in the Eastern Cape province. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. The results indicate that the main challenges faced by rural university students in collaborative learning include limited access to resources and technology, conflicting time schedules, and the unavailability of students. In contrast, providing adequate access to resources and technology, along with social and institutional support, is essential for enhancing collaborative learning among students in rural universities. In conclusion, promoting collaborative learning among rural university students requires universities to invest in adequate resources, implement flexible learning schedules, and create supportive learning environments.

Gaming the System? A Qualitative Exploration of Physician Assistant Learner Perceptions of Virtual Patient Education.

Virtual patients (VPs) are increasingly used in health professions education. How learners engage with VPs and the relationship between engagement and authenticity is not well understood. We explored learners' perceptions of VP education to gain an understanding of the characteristics promoting meaningful engagement in learning, including perceived authenticity. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 11 students from 2 Canadian Physician Assistant programs, where VP learning was implemented to supplement clinical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored trainee perspectives on the use of VPs as an educational modality. Data were iteratively collected and descriptively analyzed thematically using a constant comparison approach until theoretical sufficiency was reached. We identified 3 groups of factors influencing these students' VP learning experiences: (1) technical factors related to the VP platform influenced the perceived authenticity of the patient interactions; (2) individual factors of learners' attitudes influenced their engagement and motivation; and (3) contextual factors related to the learning environment influenced the acceptability and perceived value of the learning experience. Overall, the psychological authenticity of the learning platform and students' motivation for self-directed learning were perceived as most important for students' learning experiences. Implementing VP learning as a supplement to clinical education should be done with consideration of factors that enhance the psychological authenticity of the learning platform, promote learner engagement and accountability, and encourage acceptability of the learning modality through curricular placement and messaging.

Readiness Framework for Behavioral Strategies: Assessing Low-Intensity Approaches Prior to High-Intensity Interventions

Challenging behavior can impact the learning environment and prevent educators and students from demonstrating behavioral and academic success. Schools and districts may implore a framework of tiered systems of support to respond to students struggling behaviorally or academically. These systems provide a decision-making process to aid educators’ use of low-intensity strategies before utilizing high-intensity strategies. This process can help school teams use their time and resources efficiently. This article presents a flowchart outlining guiding questions within a problem-solving process as the first step in remedying behavior of concern. This flowchart can be utilized by schools with an existing tiered framework or can support the decision-making process for schools that do not utilize a tiered system of support. A vignette is also included to demonstrate its practical use in the classroom.

Beyond the Screen: Debunking the Myth that Online Education Means Being Alone

Background: Nursing education has shifted to online learning environments due to rapid advancements in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some nursing educators and students misunderstand that online learning is isolating and lonely. Method: This literature review explores the impact of online learning on students' emotional well-being and challenges the belief that it is inherently lonely. It examines global events, the growth of online nursing programs, and the myth of online nursing education as isolating and depressing. Results: Online learning is a popular and effective education method that caters to diverse learners and contexts. The instructor's role is crucial in ensuring student satisfaction and engagement, fostering community and interaction among online learners. Conclusion: Online learning is a rich and rewarding experience, with supportive instructors. This series will explore ways to break the myth of loneliness and foster community in the online environment.

Effects of Adjectives and Adverbs on Visually Impaired Students in Depicting Contents and Enhancing Retention in Inclusive Classrooms in Katsina State, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of adjectives and adverbs on the content depiction and retention of visually impaired students within a Nigerian context. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research examined the effects of these linguistic elements on students’ comprehension, engagement, and overall learning experience. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between using adjectives and adverbs and students’ academic performance. Students perceived descriptive language as enhancing their understanding, imagination, and recall of information. Teachers predominantly incorporated adjectives and adverbs in their instruction, aligning with inclusive education principles. However, variations in the frequency and priority of descriptive language usage among teachers were observed. The study concludes that incorporating adjectives and adverbs into teaching practices significantly benefits visually impaired students by improving their content depiction and retention. These findings underscore the importance of descriptive language in creating inclusive and engaging learning environments for all students. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of descriptive language on student outcomes and to develop specific pedagogical strategies for maximizing its impact on visually impaired learners.

Exploring Academic Emotions Using Design Thinking Applied to Elementary School Learning Stress Adaptation

Background: Students’ learning stress adaptation is crucial. Research on design thinking in stress adaptation and academic emotions is still lacking. Methods: This study developed “Stress Relief Design” instructional activities using a mixed-method research design, including student academic emotion journals and a stress relief agreement survey for data collection. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines. Participants were 24 students, aged 10 to 12, recruited through open enrollment. The instructional activities were conducted in a holiday workshop format, consisting of fifteen sessions over 5 days, with three sessions per day. Results: The results indicated that students predominantly experienced positive academic emotions (joy, pride, hope, and relaxation), with negative emotions (anxiety and boredom) being less common. Students reported that the course helped them relieve psychological stress. Conclusions: Therefore, design thinking is suitable for application in stress adaption courses and creates a learning environment that supports students’ academic emotions, making it a critical learning focus for modern students. This study contributes to the academic research on the application of design thinking in elementary school health education and learning stress adaptation, as well as on academic emotions.

The Role of Managerial Competencies in Higher Education: Navigating Current Transformational Trends

Objective: This study investigates the managerial competencies required in the field of higher education in response to contemporary transformational trends. The main goal is to explore how these competencies are shaped by the ongoing digital transformation, strategic management approaches, and the shift towards entrepreneurial university models. Theoretical Framework: The research draws on key concepts related to digital leadership, human capital development, and Agile management. Theories of educational management and models of intellectual capital are employed to frame the investigation and provide a comprehensive understanding of the changing dynamics in higher education. Method: A qualitative and mixed-methods approach was utilized, incorporating data from reports, surveys, and contemporary studies on digital competencies, hybrid learning, and leadership in educational institutions. The study includes both theoretical analysis and empirical data collection through case studies and expert assessments. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that digitalization and the transition to blended learning environments are driving the need for new managerial skills. These skills include digital leadership, strategic decision-making, and the ability to balance traditional and online educational models. The discussion highlights the importance of flexible management approaches, such as Agile, in addressing these emerging challenges. Research Implications: The study provides practical and theoretical insights into how higher education institutions can adapt their leadership strategies to meet the demands of digitalization. These findings have implications for educational policy, institutional governance, and the development of leadership training programs. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the growing body of literature on higher education management by offering a fresh perspective on the evolving competencies required in today’s digital age. The value lies in its focus on the intersection of digital transformation and managerial competencies, offering practical solutions for enhancing leadership in higher education.

Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Blended Learning in a Technology–Enabled Education Environment

Technology integration in education has led to blended learning, a pedagogical approach combining traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning components. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical research, this investigation examines the impact of blended learning on both students and educators. It delves into this approach's diverse range of technologies, including Learning Management Systems, video conferencing tools, and digital content platforms. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research identifies the opportunities that arise from adopting blended learning. It investigates the advantages of increased student flexibility, personalised learning experiences, and enhanced access to educational resources. The study explores how interactive content and virtual collaboration tools can boost student engagement and motivation. However, the study also uncovers educators' and students' challenges when implementing blended learning. These obstacles include technology access and proficiency issues, consistent communication, and addressing individual learning needs. The study addresses potential resistance to change from traditional teaching methods and the importance of teacher training and support. It compares students' achievements in blended learning environments with those in traditional classrooms and analyses the role of technology in influencing these outcomes. Based on the findings, the research concludes by providing insights into the future implications of blended learning in technology-enabled education environments. Keywords: Blended Learning; Learning Management System; Technology-enabled learning

Breast Cancer Detection System Using Machine Learning

This study, titled "Students' Attitudes in the Post-COVID Era: A Study on the Impact of Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic," explores the effects of the rapid shift to online learning on students' attitudes, experiences, and future expectations in education. The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational institutions worldwide to adopt online learning models, which significantly altered the traditional dynamics of teaching and learning. This research investigates how students from diverse educational levels and backgrounds responded to these changes, examining both the positive and negative aspects of online learning. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative data from 400 students through surveys. Key findings reveal that while students appreciated the flexibility and convenience of online learning, many struggled with engagement, technical difficulties, and feelings of isolation. The study also highlights how socioeconomic factors and access to technology influenced students’ experiences, with those from underprivileged backgrounds facing greater challenges. A significant portion of students expressed a preference for blended learning models, which integrate both online and in-person elements. The research concludes that online learning has the potential to enhance education if critical challenges such as the digital divide, mental health support, and hands-on learning deficiencies are addressed. The study’s recommendations focus on adopting flexible learning approaches, improving digital infrastructure, and providing better support for both students and educators in the evolving educational landscape. This study provides valuable insights into the future of education post-pandemic and suggests that, with the right interventions, the digital transformation in education can lead to more inclusive and effective learning environments.

Leveraging AI Tools for Discourse Analysis in Early Childhood Bilingual Education: Enhancing Language Development

The implementation of AI tools in education has become increasingly popular and brought transformative potential, particularly in the field of language education because of its powerful functions on designing immersive and personalized activities and offering real-time feedback. This study explores the role of AI tools in discourse analysis and the impact on enhancing bilingual skills among early childhood students. It investigates two key questions: (1) How do AI tools impact young childrens bilingual skills in early childhood classrooms? (2) How can discourse analysis of AI tools assist educators with bilingual teaching? A qualitative case study, including an in-depth interview with a bilingual educator, reveals insights into the effectiveness of AI tools in promoting bilingual language acquisition and engaging young learners in meaningful and enjoyable learning environment. Furthermore, the discourse analysis of AI tools offers immediate, actionable insights on each students academic performance, helping educators better understand the language learning process and the specific challenges students face. However, considerations and challenges of AI in education, such as privacy risks and misuse, still need to be considered. The findings of this study bridge the gap and highlight the potential for discourse analysis of AI tools in early childhood bilingual education. Further study can focus on exploring other AI tools in bilingual education and conducting long-term research with a large example size.