AI: a pedagogical tool for the development of critical thinking in General Spanish at UNAH

Abstract

The use of AI alone is not the answer for improving educational quality; rather, it should be employed in a way that allows for interactive student participation, demonstrating that students can not only gather data from AI but also analyze results to generate their own criteria, share ideas, and produce solutions to social problems. The methodology aimed to create an adaptive e-learning environment. The pedagogical strategy of individualized learning was selected to achieve the personalization of the teaching process. It began with the application of Kolb's learning styles test, which allowed students to identify their way of learning and then select the study technique that is most effective for them. This model is based on the convergent, divergent, assimilative, and accommodative styles. Once these styles and their respective characteristics were identified, each student chose the most appropriate learning strategies and proceeded to study the content. The instructor provided students with resources according to their main learning styles and guided them through rubrics for the completion of scheduled assessment activities, such as reviews and debates using ChatGPT. The development of critical thinking occurred by enhancing skills such as summarizing, analyzing, arguing, evaluating data and assumptions, and synthesizing.