CITATION — REFERENCE ENTRY
AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: an RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting — Scientific Reports
- Key
- kestin-2025-ai-tutoring-active-learning
- Authors
- Kestin, Greg; Miller, Kelly; Klales, Anna; Milbourne, Timothy; Ponti, Gregorio
- Issued
- 2025-6-3
- Type
- article-journal
- Container
- Scientific Reports
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 17458
Raw CSL JSON
{
"DOI": "10.1038/s41598-025-97652-6",
"URL": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97652-6",
"page": "17458",
"type": "article-journal",
"issue": "1",
"title": "AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: an RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting",
"author": [
{
"given": "Greg",
"family": "Kestin"
},
{
"given": "Kelly",
"family": "Miller"
},
{
"given": "Anna",
"family": "Klales"
},
{
"given": "Timothy",
"family": "Milbourne"
},
{
"given": "Gregorio",
"family": "Ponti"
}
],
"issued": {
"date-parts": [
[
2025,
6,
3
]
]
},
"volume": "15",
"container-title": "Scientific Reports"
}
Claims
-
The authors estimate the effect size of the AI tutor at 0.73 to 1.3 standard deviations, noting that the linear-regression estimate of 0.63 is an underestimate because of a ceiling effect.
"While the linear regression suggests an effect size of 0.63, this is an underestimation due to ceiling effect"
-
In a randomized crossover trial with 194 Harvard introductory physics students, students using a purpose-built GPT-4 tutor learned more in less time (median 49 minutes) than in an in-class active learning lesson, and reported higher engagement and motivation.
"We find that students learn significantly more in less time when using the AI tutor, compared with the in-class active learning. They also feel more engaged and more motivated."
-
The authors caution that structured AI tutoring may not outperform active learning in all contexts, such as those requiring synthesis of multiple concepts and higher-order critical thinking.
"we do not presume that structured AI tutoring will always outperform in-class active learning in all contexts, for example, those requiring complex synthesis of multiple concepts and higher-order critical thinking."
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