OBS Report: eLearning 2024 Trends and impact of the AI
OBS detects a decline in critical and creative thinking
- The OBServatory detects a lack of digital literacy among students and teachers, noting a need for greater academic integrity and more intellectual autonomy in students.
- Gamification is a key factor in modernizing online learning and fostering healthy competition among students.
The OBServatory of OBS Business School has published the report eLearning 2024: Emerging Trends and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education, led by Professor Ericka Espino.
The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) globally and its impact on various sectors is undeniable, and education is no exception. In distance learning, AI is primarily applied to online assessment supervision, library services, and admissions processes. It also plays a significant role in analyzing student behavior through emotion recognition, predicting academic performance, and identifying potential early dropouts. Additionally, Generative AI is transforming the structure and approach of online learning, leading to changes in assessment processes, such as verifying the authenticity of student work.
While most students and teachers recognize the value of AI in eLearning, there is still a low level of digital literacy among students and limited digital skills among educators, which impacts their understanding of how to use these platforms effectively. The report urges the development of digital literacy to overcome these challenges, since it has also detected a decline in critical and creative thinking. The OBServatory highlights the need for greater academic integrity and more intellectual autonomy among students. Those who choose to study online must have the ability to learn in a self-directed way, working toward specific goals. However, it is equally essential for educators to design goal-oriented plans that students can follow.
How Online Studies are Conducted
Higher education students primarily use platforms such as Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, and Google Classroom for their online studies. After their first experience with online learning, the vast majority have a very positive opinion and recommend it to others. These students frequently use AI tools to supplement their education, especially ChatGPT, translation tools, and virtual assistants, and they believe these technologies hold enormous potential for the future, particularly for generating educational content.
Gamification also plays a significant role in enhancing online learning and fostering healthy competition among students. Both synchronous and asynchronous discussions are encouraged, case studies are presented for students to work on, and peer evaluation is sometimes introduced. To support these activities, a collaborative learning space is essential, incorporating shared documents and group workrooms. This approach aids in developing skills such as teamwork and communication.
Challenges
Online education faces several key challenges. One is the diverse backgrounds of students from different parts of the world, which adds value but can also lead to issues with technology access and connectivity due to uneven resource distribution. Cultural differences also present challenges.
Another hurdle lies in designing programs that foster greater interaction among participants, both students and teachers. This interaction largely depends on two factors: teacher involvement and the initiative and self-discipline of students, which aren’t always guaranteed. A different program design could help improve this interaction.
However, the biggest challenge in online higher education—one that concerns both students and teachers—is information privacy and security, an area in which active work is ongoing.
Content written by:
Carmen García-Trevijano
OBS Business School's Press Office