Proceedings of the 2nd International Education Conference
Year: 2024
DOI:
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From Acceptance to Literacy: A Study of AI Application in Learning Among Hong Kong Students
Paul LAM and Ka Man LAU
ABSTRACT:
As Generative AI (Gen-AI) increasingly becomes integral to blended learning, it is essential to explore the factors that influence Hong Kong students’ readiness to engage with this innovative technology. This study examines students’ perceptions of AI in education and identifies key factors affecting their willingness to utilize AI tools in their learning process. Leveraging a validated survey from Xia et al. (2022), this research assesses several dimensions: students’ comfort with daily use of AI technologies (AIRD), confidence in learning AI content (AICF), anxiety towards AI learning (AIXA), attitudes towards AI (AIAT), and intrinsic motivation to learn AI (AIIM). The participants, 151 students recruited through teachers involved in a professional development program on blended learning, included 60% from junior secondary and 40% from senior primary levels. Findings indicate a high acceptance of AI in learning activities, with over 70% of students having utilized AI tools. Despite this, there is a notable gap between their acceptance and their understanding of AI concepts and applications. Many students expressed low confidence in their ability to control AI technologies effectively. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents reported difficulties in selecting appropriate AI tools for learning tasks and in analyzing AI-generated content. These findings suggest a substantial need for targeted AI literacy programs to enhance students’ AI competency, thereby reducing potential negative impacts such as misinformation and overreliance on AI. This study provides valuable insights into how the younger generations perceive the opportunities and challenges of AI in education, and offers guidance for educators to develop strategies that increase AI adoption and maximize its educational benefits.
keywords: AI in education, AI literacy, generative AI, digital readiness, blended learning