Effect of Artificial Intelligence Convergence Education Using ChatGPT on Computational Thinking of High School Students in Korea

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into various fields, accelerating innovation in existing ones. Consequently, AI has been employed in education to drive changes such as learning analytics and personalized learning. Recently, the development of generative AI has further transformed the educational landscape. Given the increasing use of generative AI in education, this study was conducted to explore its educational applications. We developed an educational program incorporating generative AI based on design thinking principles for high school students. To verify its effectiveness, high school students in Korea were selected as research subjects and divided into an experimental group (n=53) and a control group (n=42). A test tool aligned with the 2022 revised curriculum in Korea measured computational thinking skills. The study results showed that the group receiving AI convergence education using generative AI significantly improved their computational thinking. The improvement in computational thinking was also significant compared to the control group, providing strong evidence of the benefits of AI in education. This study confirmed that AI convergence education, utilizing generative AI grounded in design thinking, effectively develops computational thinking skills in high school students. The findings of this research highlight the potential educational value of integrating generative AI into both AI design thinking and convergence education. The study provides reassurance that generative AI can be a powerful tool in enhancing student learning experience and outcomes, paving the way for future educational innovations.