Using ChatGPT for academic support: managing cognitive load and enhancing learning efficiency – a phenomenological approach
Open accessAbstract
This study aims to discuss the effects of ChatGPT on the management of students' cognitive load and learning outcomes. Participants used ChatGPT for answering particular questions, checking information, and solving complex problems involving equations. Results show that ChatGPT lowers intrinsic and extrinsic cognitive load with very detailed responses and efficient search for information, even though it has difficulties in entering mathematical notation. Students consider that ChatGPT is a tool able to enhance understanding, engage, and promote critical thinking. These findings underline that the level of AI assistance must be balanced against independent learning and critical evaluation.
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Dependency on AI improves short-term performance at the cost of decreased autonomous cognitive processing.
“Research shows that the dependency on AI improves the short-term performance at the cost of decreased autonomous cognitive processing (Patac and Patac, 2025; Deng et al., 2025; Youssef et al., 2024).”
From Mapping the impact of generative AI in higher education: A scoping review of psychological and equity dimensions. (2026) · cites this paper as Patac and Patac, 2025
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- Authors
- Patac, L. P., & Patac, A. V.
- Affiliations
- North Eastern Mindanao State University (PH)
- Corresponding author
- Patac, Louida P.
- Venue
- Social Sciences & Humanities Open
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2025
- Volume
- 11
- Pages
- 101301
- ISSN
- 2590-2911 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4406605478
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 19
- FWCI
- 49.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Social Sciences & Humanities Open (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Artificial Intelligence in Education
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Intelligent Tutoring Systems and Adaptive Learning
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Keywords
- ChatGPT, large language models, cognitive load, academic support, learning efficiency, intrinsic cognitive load, extraneous cognitive load, mathematical notation, critical thinking, student perceptions, self-directed learning, AI-assisted learning
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