A study in Frontiers in Education looked at 710 secondary students who used an AI learning companion during STEM laboratory courses in real classroom teaching. The companion gave personalised guidance and support.
Researchers used a single-group, post-test-only design and analysed students' self-reported perceptions with PLS-SEM. Attitude had the strongest association with perceived learning (β = .306), followed by engagement (β = .275), intention (β = .176) and self-efficacy (β = .119).
What the numbers can and cannot tell parents
- Students reporting higher engagement also reported higher perceived learning (β = .275), but this is an association, not proof of cause.
- With a single group and no comparison, the study cannot show the AI learning companion improved learning.
- Perceived learning was self-reported, so these findings do not describe test results or marks.
Questions worth asking about AI in lab lessons
- Ask your child to explain a lab step in their own words, since perceived learning in the study was self-reported.
- Ask the teacher whether any AI tool in STEM labs is judged on more than student perceptions.