Educational Technology
The chain mediating role of critical thinking and AI self-efficacy in GenAI usage competence and engineering students' creativity
This study, featuring 804 engineering undergraduates from diverse Chinese universities, explores the intricate relationship between Generative AI (GenAI) usage competence and student creativity. It identifies critical thinking and AI self-efficacy as crucial sequential mediators. Competence in GenAI significantly enhances creativity (t>1.96, p<0.05) through improved critical thinking (t>1.96, p<0.001), which in turn boosts AI self-efficacy (t>1.96, p<0.001). AI self-efficacy further promotes creativity (t>1.96, p<0.05). This chain mediation model highlights that merely integrating GenAI tools is insufficient; fostering critical thinking and AI self-efficacy is essential to unlock students' full creative potential. The findings advocate for an educational approach that integrates GenAI with problem-based learning and mentorship to cultivate both technical proficiency and cognitive/psychological resilience.
Key Performance Indicators
Quantifiable impact from GenAI integration when critical thinking and AI self-efficacy are fostered.
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Students Surveyed
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GenAI Boost to Creativity
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Critical Thinking to Creativity
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AI Self-Efficacy to Creativity
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
Select a topic to dive deeper, then explore the specific findings from the research, rebuilt as interactive, enterprise-focused modules.
GenAI & Creativity Link
Critical Thinking as Mediator
AI Self-Efficacy as Mediator
GenAI & Creativity Link
The study found that GenAI usage competence directly enhances engineering students' creativity. This indicates that proficiency in utilizing GenAI tools acts as a catalyst for creative processes, enabling students to explore and generate novel solutions more effectively. The practical implication is that educators should prioritize developing students' ability to interact, critically evaluate, and adapt GenAI outputs within their problem-solving and design tasks.
Critical Thinking as Mediator
Critical thinking partially mediates the relationship between GenAI usage competence and creativity. This means that while GenAI competence provides a foundation, the active engagement of critical thinking skills—analyzing, questioning, and refining AI-generated content—is crucial for translating technological proficiency into meaningful creative outcomes. Educational strategies should therefore explicitly integrate critical analysis and reflective judgment alongside GenAI tool use.
AI Self-Efficacy as Mediator
AI self-efficacy also partially mediates the links between GenAI competence, critical thinking, and creativity. Students' belief in their ability to use AI effectively and autonomously is vital. When students are confident in experimenting with AI and persisting through complex tasks, their creative potential is fully realized. This emphasizes the need to cultivate resilient learner mindsets and trust in one's ability to apply AI tools for creative problem-solving.
804
Engineering Students Surveyed
Enterprise Process Flow
GenAI Usage Competence
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Critical Thinking
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AI Self-Efficacy
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Engineering Students Creativity
t>1.96, p<0.001
Chain Mediating Effect Confirmed
| Aspect | Traditional Approach | AI-Enhanced Approach |
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| Idea Generation |
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| Problem Solving |
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| Skill Development |
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Real-world Application: AI-Driven Engineering Design
A leading engineering firm integrated GenAI tools into their design workflow. Initially, engineers struggled with uncritical acceptance of AI outputs. After a training program focused on critical thinking and fostering AI self-efficacy, they saw a significant boost in project creativity and efficiency. Engineers learned to challenge AI suggestions, use AI to generate divergent ideas, and confidently adapt AI models to specific design constraints, leading to a 30% reduction in design iterations and 15% increase in patentable innovations.
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Estimated Annual Savings
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Annual Hours Reclaimed
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Your AI Transformation Roadmap
A typical phased approach to integrate AI and foster a culture of critical thinking and self-efficacy.
Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy
Assess current workflows, identify AI opportunities, and define clear objectives for enhancing creativity and efficiency.
Phase 2: Pilot Program & Training
Implement GenAI tools in a controlled environment, focusing on critical thinking and AI self-efficacy training for a core team.
Phase 3: Integration & Scaling
Expand GenAI tools and training across relevant departments, establishing feedback loops and continuous improvement.
Phase 4: Optimization & Innovation
Refine AI strategies based on performance data, explore advanced AI applications, and embed AI-driven creative processes.
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