Exploring the Foundations of AI Literacy among Middle-Stage Students

Abstract

Technology has now become an indispensable need for people across all sectors and every age group. Its ubiquitous presence adds great significance, and ignoring it would impede our progress. Recognising its importance, the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020 also emphasises technology integration at all educational levels. Among the myriads of fast-evolving technologies, AI stands out as an incredible and advanced technology that is immensely contributing to reshaping education. It is more than just a tool for mere teaching and learning or assessment; it is also becoming popular among students. The Government of India is also taking initiatives to make students AI-ready at all levels. Underlining its importance AI literacy; CBSE also introduced fundamental concepts and applications of AI at the middle-stage level. Considering the same, the researcher conducted a study with 142 students in the 8th grade of three CBSE schools to assess how effectively the objective of introducing AI literacy has been achieved. To do so, the conceptual understanding of students was assessed through an achievement test. Additionally, a Likert Scale questionnaire was used to determine students’ enthusiasm and inclination towards AI. The findings of the achievement test revealed a moderate level of understanding of the AI concept. However, regarding the level of awareness, enthusiasm, and further engagement with AI in everyday life, the inclination was more towards informal use than formal academic purpose. Thus, there is a need to channel this enthusiasm firmly towards academic application to enhance learning impact.