AI Literacy for 21st-Century Learners: A Framework for Assessment and Validation
Subject Areas : Multimedia Processing, Communications Systems, Intelligent Systems
1 - PhD Student, Educational Technology, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, AI literacy, Psychometrics, University students,
Abstract :
Introduction: With the application of AI in various sectors such as education, medicine, engineering, and finance, the demand for AI literacy - which includes critical evaluation, effective collaboration, and understanding the concepts and ethical implications of AI - has intensified. In higher education, AI literacy is recognized as a fundamental pillar encompassing the knowledge and skills required to effectively perform practical tasks expected of both instructors and students in AI-enhanced learning environments. AI literacy is now at the forefront of educational agendas to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values of 21st-century learners. However, there are few validated research tools for educational evaluators to assess how students develop and understand their learning outcomes. The aim of this research was AI Literacy for 21st-Century Learners: A Framework for Assessment and Validation. The research method was a descriptive-survey.
Method: The research method was descriptive survey. The statistical population consisted of 150 undergraduate students of Educational Sciences at Payame Noor University of Kerman, who were selected using an available sampling method. The research data collection tool was a 32-item AI literacy questionnaire developed by Ng and colleagues (2023).
Results: Data analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis .Findings indicated that the AI literacy model exhibited a good fit (RMSEA=0.06, NFI=0.94, CFI=0.92), suggesting that the questionnaire possessed sound construct validity.
Discussion: The study concludes that achieving AI literacy in today's world requires more than just knowing how to use AI and having a basic understanding of it. Students must also acquire socio-emotional, metacognitive, and higher-order thinking skills. A critical ethical mindset is essential for students' use of AI. AI literacy necessitates that students possess not only technical knowledge and skills but also emotional, behavioral, and ethical knowledge and abilities.
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