Promoting active learning with ChatGPT: A constructivist approach in Sri Lankan higher education
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This study investigates strategies for transforming traditional didactic learning environments into active ones using ChatGPT in a resource-constrained higher education setting in Sri Lanka. It identifies 16 strategies categorized under five constructivist learning themes: active learning, social interaction, contextual learning, scaffolding, and reflective thinking. These practices leverage ChatGPT to personalize learning, foster critical thinking, encourage collaboration, enhance teaching strategies, and offer immediate feedback, addressing educational challenges in developing countries. The findings extend constructivist learning theory by demonstrating AI’s role in facilitating interactive, learner-centered experiences. The study also highlights educators’ evolving role as collaborators with AI, providing personalized support and interactive learning experiences. Practical implications include the immediate applicability of these practices in resource-constrained settings without additional resources, offering a cost-effective solution for enhancing educational quality. However, limitations such as the study’s generalizability to other contexts and the need to investigate potential negative impacts of AI are acknowledged. Future research should explore the integration of multiple AI tools and conduct similar studies in large classrooms and different contexts to enhance generalizability. Expanding this research can help leverage technology to improve educational outcomes and create sustainable, resource-efficient learning environments in the developing world.
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Effective use ensures that AI complements rather than substitutes cognitive effort, supporting learners in constructing knowledge through active inquiry.
“Furthermore, effective use ensures that AI complements rather than substitutes cognitive effort, supporting learners in constructing knowledge through active inquiry (Jayasinghe, 2024).”
From Six Institutional Intervention Areas to Support Ethical and Effective Student Use of Generative AI in Higher Education: A Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as Jayasinghe, 2024
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- Shan Jayasinghe. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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Jayasinghe, S., Gamage, K. A. A., Yang, D., Cheng, C., Disanayake, C., & Apeji, U. D. (2026) · Education Sciences · doi:10.3390/educsci16010137 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Jayasinghe, S.
- Affiliations
- Southampton Solent University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Shan Jayasinghe
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching
- Publisher
- Kaplan Business School, Australia
- Published
- 2024-08-26
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- ISSN
- 2591-801X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4401859113
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 18
- FWCI
- 7.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Solent University Research Portal (Solent University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Artificial Intelligence in Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Educational Technology in Learning
- Keywords
- ChatGPT, active learning, constructivist learning theory, artificial intelligence in higher education, resource-constrained education, scaffolding, reflective thinking, personalized learning, critical thinking, cooperative learning, developing countries
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