Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on New Approaches in Education
Year: 2025
[PDF]
The Future of Learning: Adapting Classrooms to the AI Age
Selin Kucukkaya
ABSTRACT:
This study explores the transformative potential of student-centered learning in higher education, emphasizing its necessity in the context of an AI-driven world where access to information is ubiquitous. Traditional teacher-centered models, reliant on lectures and rote memorization, are increasingly inadequate as students can now learn independently online (Shah, 2020). To remain relevant, classrooms must evolve into spaces that prioritize personalized, interactive, and collaborative learning experiences while addressing the unintended consequences of AI use, such as social isolation and diminished creativity. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, this research highlights the benefits of student-centered approaches that foster critical thinking, creativity, and socialization. These models empower students to take ownership of their learning by engaging in peer-led teaching, group discussions, and project-based tasks (Walker et al., 2021). Such methods not only deepen understanding but also build essential skills for the 21st-century workforce, including adaptability and problem-solving (Klerk et al., 2024).
A key focus of this study is the dual impact of AI on education. While AI tools enable personalized learning pathways and adaptive content delivery, their overuse has been linked to increased loneliness and reduced creativity among students. Over-reliance on AI for academic support can weaken social bonds and replace original thought with algorithm-dependent solutions (Klimova & Pikhart, 2025) and expecting their classmates to behave like chatbots. Collaborative learning environments counteract these effects by fostering teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skill development. This study concludes that adapting classrooms to focus on personalized, collaborative learning is essential for preparing students for real-world challenges. Without such reforms, traditional education risks becoming obsolete in an era defined by AI and digital accessibility while failing to address the critical need for social connection and creative thinking.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Student-Centered Learning, Collaborative Learning, Personalized Education, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Socialization, Loneliness, Education Reform, 21st-Century Skills