Beyond the Horizon: An Investigation to Unravel the Impact of AI on Jamaican Students’ Performance

Kimberley Haye¹, Denneil Cunningham¹, Dickisha Facey¹, Abigail Ellis¹, Jahmela Ogeare¹, Conley Morris¹, Selena Morris¹, Jhenay Miller¹, Cassandra White¹, Alex Hamilton¹, Shanalee Cunningham¹, Nicole Jacobs¹ and Shaneille Samuels^1,

¹Mathematics Department, Shortwood Teachers’ College, & University of Technology, St. Andrew, Jamaica

Cite this paper:
Kimberley Haye, Denneil Cunningham, Dickisha Facey, Abigail Ellis, Jahmela Ogeare, Conley Morris, Selena Morris, Jhenay Miller, Cassandra White, Alex Hamilton, Shanalee Cunningham, Nicole Jacobs and Shaneille Samuels. Beyond the Horizon: An Investigation to Unravel the Impact of AI on Jamaican Students’ Performance. American Journal of Educational Research. 2024; 12(12):479-502. doi: 10.12691/education-12-12-2

Abstract

This study explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings in Jamaica, focusing on its current use by students and its impact on academic performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 100 students and 25 educators, across various high schools, colleges, and universities. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and performance metrics to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of AI’s role in education. The findings revealed that 79% of the students used AI for homework, 82% for projects, and 91% for research, highlighting its widespread use. Notably, 18% of the students reported that AI fully promoted teamwork, suggesting some collaboration benefits, though limited. Additionally, 56% of the students perceived no change in course difficulty post-AI integration, while 41% found courses more challenging before AI use, and 3% found them more difficult after AI was implemented. Moreover, 82% of the students linked improved performance to enhanced resources provided by AI, yet performance varied, with some students over-relying on AI tools. Educators have expressed that students must cross-reference the information obtained using AI tools with credible sources, across all academic levels, to verify their reliability. The most significant recommendation is providing AI literacy training for both students and educators, ensuring the effective and ethical use of AI tools. Educators urge institutions to encourage students to focus on using AI as a supplement to traditional learning methods, fostering deeper engagement and critical thinking skills. The study implies that while AI enhances personalised learning and resource accessibility, its full potential is hindered by issues related to content accuracy and collaboration. The findings suggest that educational systems must strike a balance between AI integration and human-centred pedagogical strategies, to optimise learning outcomes.

Keywords:
students’ performance artificial intelligence (AI) learning process

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Jamaica Information Service. “Education Minister outlines benefits of artificial intelligence”. Jamaica Information Service, 21 Oct. 2022. Retrieved on September 7, 2024 from https:// jis.gov.jm/education-minister-outlines-benefits-of-artificial-intelligence/.
[2]	Forbes. “Artificial intelligence in school”. Forbes Advisor, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/it-and-tech/artificial-intelligence-in-school/.
[3]	Calvert, C. “Teacher availability in Jamaica - How teacher shortages affect students”, 2023, September 27. One Academy. https://www.oneacademy.com/home/2023/09/26/teacher-availability-in-jamaica-how-teacher-shortages-affect-students.
[4]	Hawthorne, L. “Leveraging AI to improve early childhood literacy.” LinkedIn, 2023. Retrieved on September 7, 2024 from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leveraging-ai-improve-early-childhood-literacy- lyssette-hawthorne-ztfke#:~: text=In% 20education%2C%20AI%20tools%20such,suggesting%20potential%20benefits%20for%20Jamaica.
[5]	The 74 Million. “Shockwaves of innovation: How nations worldwide are dealing with AI in education”. The 74 Million, 2023. Retrieved on September 7, 2024 from https://www.the74million.org/article/shockwaves-innovations-how-nations-worldwide-are-dealing-with-ai-in-education/.
[6]	Salido, M. “Personalized learning through AI: Transforming education for the future”. EdTech Magazine, 2023. Retrieved from https://edtechmagazine.com/article/2023-ai-personalized-learning.
[7]	UNESCO. “The promises and perils of AI in education: Ensuring equity and access”. UNESCO Education Policy, 2023. Retrieved from https://unesco.org/education/ai.
[8]	OECD. “Measuring Student Performance: PISA 2021 Framework”. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2021.
[9]	Reeves, D. B. “The Learning Leader: How to Focus School Improvement for Better Results”. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2006.
[10]	UNESCO. “Global Education Monitoring Report 2020: Inclusion and education: All means all”. Paris: UNESCO Publishing, 2020.
[11]	Reardon, S. F. “The widening academic achievement gap between the rich and the poor: New evidence and possible explanations”. Whither Opportunity? Rising Inequality, Schools, and Children's Life Chances, 2020.
[12]	Nationwide News Network. “Only 36% passed mathematics in 2024 CSEC sitting”, 2024.https://nationwideradiojm.com/only-36-passed-mathematics-in-2024-csec-sitting/.
[13]	Jamaica Observer. Minister not happy with CSEC maths results, 27 Aug. 2024. https:// www.jamaicaobserver.com/ 2024/08/27/ minister-not-happy-csec-maths-results/.
[14]	The Gleaner.” Region registers declines in CXC Mathematics and English pass rates”, 20 Aug. 2024. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240820/region-registers-declines-cxc-mathematics-and-english-pass-rates.
[15]	Jamaica Information Service.” Jamaican students perform marginally higher in 2024 CSEC Mathematics exam”, 2024. https://jis.gov.jm/jamaican-students-perform-marginally-higher-in-2024-csec-mathematics-exam/#: ~:text= The%20 results%20are% 20Human%20and,you%20are%20to%20be%20commended.
[16]	World Economic Forum. “AI reshaping classrooms: Personalized learning and global impacts”. World Economic Forum, 2024. Retrieved from https:// www.weforum.org/ agenda/ 2024/ai-in-education.
[17]	KeyMakr. “Bridging the digital divide: AI’s role in education”. KeyMakr News, 2023. Retrieved from https://keymakr.com/ blogs/ai-and-education.
[18]	Jamaica Observer. “Education Minister explores AI’s benefits for addressing teacher shortages”. Jamaica Observer, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/education-minister-on-ai/.
[19]	Jamaica Gleaner. “Education Minister discusses AI and its role in transforming classrooms”. Jamaica Gleaner, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/ai-transform-classrooms-jamaica/.
[20]	Jamaica Information Services. “Education Ministry unveils initiative to integrate AI and adaptive technology into school curriculums”.Jamaica Information Service, 2024. https://jis.gov.jm/education-ministry-unveils-initiative-to-integrate-ai-and-adaptive-technology-into-school-curriculums/.
[21]	University of Technology, Jamaica. “UTech JA Chancellor urges graduates to embrace AI and lifelong learning”. 2024. https://www.utechjamaica.edu.jm/news/utech-ja-chancellor-urges-graduates-to-embrace-ai-and-lifelong-learning.
[22]	Clarke, T. “The implications of AI on students’ learning in Jamaica: Cashpot grades and quick answers”. Jamaica Observer, 2023. Retrieved from https:// www.jamaicaobserver.com/ opinion/cashpot-grades-ai-use-in-jamaica/.
[23]	UNESCO. “Integrating AI in education: Balancing innovation with human interaction”. UNESCO Education Policy Brief, 2024. Retrieved from https://unesco.org/education/ai-2024.
[24]	NAFSA. “The evolving role of generative AI in higher education”. NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nafsa.org/ai-in-higher-education.
[25]	Pawar, P. “AI-Enhanced education: personalized learning and educational technology”.ResearchGate, 2023.
[26]	Ayman et al. “The Impact of ChatGPT on Student Learning/performing”. ResearchGate, 2023.
[27]	Lewis, A. “AI may be solution to help overworked teachers, says lecturer”. Jamaica Observer, 2024, April 4. https:// www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/04/04/ai-may-solution-help-overworked-teachers-says-lecturer/.
[28]	Jamaica Observer. “The AI revolution and the viability of universities in Jamaica”. Jamaica Observer, 2023. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/04/24/the-ai-revolution-and-the-viability-of-universities-in-jamaica/.
[29]	MindTools. “Cognitive load theory: Keeping learning simple”. MindTools, n.d.. https://www.mindtools.com/aqxwcpa/cognitive-load-theory.
[30]	Disprz. “Cognitive learning the ory: Understanding how people learn”. Disprz, 2023. https:// disprz.ai/blog/ cognitive-learning-theory.
[31]	Pathan, A. “Harnessing AI in education: Aligning with cognitive load theory”. LinkedIn, 2023. https:// www.linkedin.com/ pulse/harnessing-ai-education-aligning-cognitive-load-theory-abdulla-pathan-32t7f.