AI-Powered Virtual Teachers and Their Role in Developing Critical Thinking Skills

This study examines the level of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual teacher usage among middle school students in social studies classes and its relationship with critical thinking skills. The sample consisted of 371 middle school students in Amasya, Turkey. To gather data, students completed a personal information form and a critical thinking skills scale. The findings revealed that 91.7% of students were aware of AI, and 30.7% used it on a daily basis. Notably, ChatGPT was the most widely used tool among students, primarily employed for completing assignments and asking questions. Furthermore, students familiar with the concept of virtual teachers demonstrated higher scores on critical thinking assessments. Increased frequency of AI usage was associated with enhanced critical thinking skills. However, despite these associations, most students believed virtual teachers could not replace real teachers. Overall, the research indicates that AI should be utilized as a supportive tool in education.