The Influence of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning Biology in Senior Secondary Schools in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on generative AI (Chat GPT), on the teaching and learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools within the Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State. The study adopted the descriptive research design of the survey type. The population of the study comprised all Senior Secondary School students offering Biology in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The sample for this study was 100 Senior Secondary School Biology students drawn from five secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State using simple random sampling technique. The instrument used for the study was a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by researcher’s supervisor yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.83. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics involving frequency counts, percentages, mean, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Regression and Chi-square statistics. All the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the use of ChatGPT enhances learning in Biology, clarifies complex Biology concepts, makes learning in Biology more engaging, improves students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills in Biology. The study showed that the extent of ChatGPT integration into the teaching and learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools was high. It was found out that improved understanding of Biology topics, increased interest and motivation to study Biology, enhanced interactive and personalized learning experiences in Biology, improved academic performance in Biology due to Chat GPT, helps in preparation for Biology exams and assignments were perceived benefits associated with the use of Chat GPT in the teaching and learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti. It equally showed that technological challenges, Internet connectivity issues, difficulty in understanding or navigating Chat GPT, quality of explanations by AI when learning complex biology concepts were barriers to which the use of Chat GPT in teaching and learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools. The study showed that there was significant influence of students grades on the use of Chat GPT in learning Biology. The finding revealed that there was significant relationship between the integration of Chat GPT and learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools. The study showed that there was significant influence of Chat GPT on students’ interest in learning Biology in Senior Secondary Schools. The study further showed that there were perceived benefits associated with the use of Chat GPT in the learning of Biology in Senior Secondary Schools. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that Biology teachers should enhance their innovative instructional process by deliberate use of AI-powered tools in the learning process in order to stimulate students’ interest in the subject and further facilitate high level of students’ achievement in Biology.