ChatGPT use in STEAM IBL is reported to enhance learner outcomes including motivation, critical thinking, engagement, and problem-solving¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Cross-phase learner benefits reported across the reviewed studies most frequently included increased learning motivation, critical thinking, and information and procedural accessibility. → Haozhe Jiang 2026

Evidence¶

Haozhe Jiang 2026¶

Haozhe Jiang, Yixin Li, Ritesh Chugh, Yueyou Xin and Hongyu Cheng. (2026). The AI-powered co-inquirer: a systematic review of ChatGPT for inquiry-based learning in STEAM education. International Journal of STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-026-00628-9

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review's synthesis of cross-phase advantages, mentioned in 104 instances across the 24 reviewed studies. The review reports these as themes attributed to the underlying primary studies, which were not independently re-analyzed here.

"The most frequent learner-side themes included increased learning motivation (e.g. Li et al., 2025a, 2025b), critical thinking (e.g. Cheng, 2025; Ruff et al., 2024), and information and procedural accessibility (e.g. Min et al., 2025; Seebut et al., 2024)."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Problem Solving — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Inquiry Based Teaching Improves Science Achievement — the general claim this finding bears on, with the studies behind it
• ChatGPT use in STEAM IBL is reported to improve teaching efficiency, student engagement, and flexible instructional design — related
• Students' main AI challenges are content reliability and depth, and most expect AI to serve as tutor, creative partner, and critical thinking partner rather than mere content generator — related
• Recurring benefits of GenAI in STEAM education include engagement, teacher productivity, and creativity when supported by sound pedagogy — related
• ChatGPT-supported STEAM IBL research is split evenly between K-12 and higher education, but undergraduates dominate and no study examined elementary learners — related
• Across studies, ChatGPT serves as a convenient tool assisting teachers, students and researchers in various tasks, with the consistent underlying motivation of seeking personal benefits and reducing academic burdens. — a broader claim this one bears on
• Portfolio analysis revealed children were critically and creatively engaged in the learning procedures — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• A systematic review of AI in problem-based learning reports, as a dominant theme of its 50 studies, that AI tools support adaptive, personalized learning linked to better engagement and problem-solving — related
• The review reports, citing Karamustafaoğlu and Pektaş (2023), that inquiry-based STEM activities significantly enhance students' problem-solving skills and STEM awareness — related
• Inquiry-based learning strategies in laboratory courses are reported to significantly improve critical thinking skills — related
• GenAI in CS education is argued to enhance student engagement, support equitable learning, and relieve instructional burden — related