Generative learning and generative AI: Outsourcing, augmenting or interfering with cognitive effort in learning

• In Event: Future-Oriented Dialogues on AI in Education

Abstract

A central concern over the use of generative AI (genAI) in education is whether learners are putting forth the cognitive effort that leads to long-term retention or are offloading the very sort of cognitive effort that helps them learn. In this study, we draw on generative learning theory as one way to operationalize learning and cognitive effort and report results from an initial experiment examining learning and productivity as distinct constructs. The experiment is still in process, and we anticipate data for analysis will be fully collected by the end of September 2025. Thus, this proposal summarizes our framework and methods; results and discussion will be reported in the final paper.

Authors

• Stephanie Moore, University of New Mexico

• Victor Law, University of New Mexico

• Lindsey White, The University of New Mexico

• Kanchana Konara Mudiyanselage, University of New Mexico

• S. Pil Kang, University of New Mexico

• Amir Hedayati Mehdiabadi