GenAI as a Learning Assistant, an Empirical Study in Higher Education

Lukas Spirgi, Sabine Seufert

2025

Abstract

This empirical study investigates the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) as a learning assistant in higher education and explores the impact of AI literacy on its frequency of use. Based on theoretical models of cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies, the study analyzes how students use GenAI to support these learning processes. Several usage scenarios were developed to explore how GenAI can be used as a learning assistant for cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies. The results show that GenAI is predominantly used to support cognitive learning strategies, such as explaining complex concepts and summarizing texts, while its use to support metacognitive learning strategies, such as self-regulation and learning planning, is less frequent. The study is based on an online survey of 266 students from the University of St.Gallen. Using the AI literacy model of Ng, four dimensions of AI competence (affective, behavioral, cognitive, and ethical) are measured, with the behavioral dimension identified as a significant predictor of GenAI usage for learning activities. Developing targeted programs to promote practical AI literacy is considered necessary to facilitate the integration of GenAI into learning processes and realize its potential more fully.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Spirgi L. and Seufert S. (2025). GenAI as a Learning Assistant, an Empirical Study in Higher Education. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU; ISBN 978-989-758-746-7, SciTePress, pages 27-34. DOI: 10.5220/0013199300003932

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu25,
author={Lukas Spirgi and Sabine Seufert},
title={GenAI as a Learning Assistant, an Empirical Study in Higher Education},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU},
year={2025},
pages={27-34},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013199300003932},
isbn={978-989-758-746-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU
TI - GenAI as a Learning Assistant, an Empirical Study in Higher Education
SN - 978-989-758-746-7
AU - Spirgi L.
AU - Seufert S.
PY - 2025
SP - 27
EP - 34
DO - 10.5220/0013199300003932
PB - SciTePress