Communicating the environment through artificial intelligence: ChatGPT's potential for raising environmental awareness

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of ChatGPT-supported texts on environmental awareness and academic achievement in education. The study was designed as an explanatory sequential mixed method design and conducted as a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group. The study group consisted of 96 primary school students. Academic Achievement Test, Environmental Awareness Scale and semi-structured interview form were used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA and content analysis. Results showed that integrating ChatGPT-generated texts into learning materials had a significant positive impact on students' academic performance. In addition, these texts were also found to be effective in developing students' environmental awareness. The results of this study provide a strong indication that the incorporation of ChatGPT-based learning materials into environmental education processes in science courses can play an important role in developing sustainable environmental awareness among students.