# The opinions and attitudes of prospective primary school teachers on the use AI applications in education
[](https://hub.ufzg.hr/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/logo-stoo2-1-no.png) | **Teaching (Today for) Tomorrow:** **Bridging the Gap between the Classroom and Reality** 3rd International Scientific and Art Conference Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb in cooperation with the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts |
##### **Maja Homen** *Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb* *maja.homen@ufzg.hr* |
**Section - Education for digital transformation** | **Paper number: 47** | **Category: Original scientific paper** |
##### **Abstract** |
The growing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education has drawn attention to its potential to enhance teaching and learning processes. The study examines prospective primary school teachers' perceptions and attitudes toward the adoption of AI applications in education, concerning their readiness, concerns, and expectations. The research was conducted through an online questionnaire distributed among students at the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb. The findings provide insights into students' familiarity with AI technologies, perceived benefits, and challenges associated with their use in primary education. The study reveals that while students recognize that AI could be used to customize the learning experience and relieve teachers of some administrative tasks, they also seem to care more about ethical issues, concerning data privacy, etc. Also, critical thinking skills can be placed in danger because of AI. These points will be contributing to the future ongoing discussions in taking the responsibility in which AI is used in education and showing that teacher training on the opportunities and risks of adoption needs further development. Results will have importance not only for policymakers but also for educational institutions in establishing quite meaningful AI education policies in primary schools as per pedagogical plans but also ethical considerations. |
***Key words:*** |
AI applications, Artificial Intelligence, education, ICT, prospective teachers, teacher perceptions |
Positive aspects | Mean | Median | Mode | Std. Deviation | |
AI can be useful in primary education. | 3.13 | 3 | 3 | 1.04 | |
AI can help personalize educational experiences for students. | 3.16 | 3 | 4 | 1.09 | |
AI can improve learning efficiency by providing students with immediate feedback. | 3.21 | 3 | 3 | 1.17 | |
AI technologies can increase student engagement through interactive learning methods. | 3.05 | 3 | 4 | 1,22 | |
**AI can improve access to education for students with special needs.** | **3.53** | **4** | **4** | **1.20** | |
AI can allow teachers to focus more on providing individualized support to students. | 2.89 | 3 | 3 | 1.12 | |
**AI can facilitate lesson planning and organization for teachers.** | **3.54** | **4** | **4** | **1.15** | |
**Average rating of positive AI aspects.** | **3.20** | **3.42** | **3.57a** | **.94** |
Negative aspects | Mean | Median | Mode | Std. Deviation | |
AI technologies in education may be too complex to use and could complicate teachers' everyday work. | 3.04 | 3 | 2 | 1.15 | |
The use of AI in education may diminish the importance of the teacher's role. | 3.45 | 4 | 5 | 1.43 | |
**AI technologies could lead to an over-reliance on technology instead of creative learning methods.** | **4.41** | **5** | **5** | **.93** | |
AI is not yet advanced enough to fully understand students' individual needs. | 4.18 | 4 | 5 | .93 | |
**AI may reduce students' critical thinking by providing ready-made solutions.** | **4.59** | **5** | **5** | **.82** | |
I am concerned about the ethical implications of using AI in education, such as student privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and reducing the human element in teaching. | 4.14 | 5 | 5 | 1.15 | |
**Average rating of negative aspects of AI.** | **3.96** | **4.08** | **4.67** | **.77** |
Differences in attitudes toward the use of AI in teaching based on the year of study. | Chi-Square | df | Asymp. Sig. |
Perceived familiarity with AI technologies. | 5.629 | 4 | .229 |
AI can be useful in primary education. | 3.753 | 4 | .440 |
AI can help personalize educational experiences for students. | 3.806 | 4 | .433 |
AI can improve learning efficiency by providing students with immediate feedback. | 1.843 | 4 | .765 |
AI technologies can increase student engagement through interactive learning methods. | 5.712 | 4 | .222 |
AI can improve access to education for students with special needs. | 11.444 | 4 | .022 |
AI can allow teachers to focus more on providing individualized support to students. | 3.446 | 4 | .486 |
AI can facilitate teachers' planning and organization of lessons. | 9.723 | 4 | .045 |
AI technologies in education may be too complex to use and could complicate teachers' everyday work. | 2.031 | 4 | .730 |
The use of AI in education may diminish the importance of the teacher's role. | 8.100 | 4 | .088 |
AI technologies could lead to an over-reliance on technology instead of creative learning methods. | 6.157 | 4 | .188 |
AI is not yet advanced enough to fully understand students' individual needs. | 8.637 | 4 | .071 |
AI may reduce students' critical thinking by providing ready-made solutions. | 3.872 | 4 | .424 |
I am concerned about the ethical implications of using AI in education, such as student privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and reducing the human element in teaching. | 8.690 | 4 | .069 |
**Average rating of positive AI aspects** | 5.332 | 4 | .255 |
**Average rating of negative aspects of AI** | 8.776 | 4 | .067 |
Statement | Module / program | Mean Rank |
AI can help personalize educational experiences for students. | English Language | 25.50 |
German Language | 28.75 | |
Croatian Language | 20.38 | |
Art Culture | 17.64 | |
Educational Sciences | 32.67 | |
Informatics | 38.56 | |
AI can improve learning efficiency by providing students with immediate feedback. | English Language | 25.41 |
German Language | 38.25 | |
Croatian Language | 24.79 | |
Art Culture | 14.50 | |
Educational Sciences | 39.17 | |
Informatics | 33.67 | |
AI can improve access to education for students with special needs. | English Language | 22.05 |
German Language | 33.25 | |
Croatian Language | 22.08 | |
Art Culture | 14.00 | |
Educational Sciences | 36.08 | |
Informatics | 38.32 | |
Average rating of positive AI aspects. | English Language | 24.55 |
German Language | 28.00 | |
Croatian Language | 22.00 | |
Art Culture | 15.93 | |
Educational Sciences | 36.58 | |
Informatics | 36.41 |
Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test | Average rating of negative aspects of AI Average rating of positive aspects of AI |
Z | -3.846b |
Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) | .000 |