In the age of artificial intelligence, AI literacy, which is mentioned as a necessary basic skill for future generations, is expected to be enhanced through current artificial intelligence education. But research on artificial intelligence classes lin...
In the age of artificial intelligence, AI literacy, which is mentioned as a necessary basic skill for future generations, is expected to be enhanced through current artificial intelligence education. But research on artificial intelligence classes linked to regular elementary school subjects aimed at enhancing AI literacy is very lacking. In addition, existing artificial intelligence education for elementary school students approaches only as an extension of Practical subjects, uses already created artificial intelligence platforms, or focuses only on developing artificial intelligence programs, failing to promote even a basic understanding of artificial intelligence. Therefore, this study aimed to develop AI literacy through an artificial intelligence convergence education program centered AI understanding consisting of play and experience suitable for 6th graders of elementary school based on embodied cognitive theory. In addition, by analyzing the effect centering on AI literacy, I tried to suggest implications for educational practitioners who want to apply artificial intelligence education programs for AI literacy development to the field. The research questions were set such as follows. First, what contents should be composed of the 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students?, Second, how should the 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students be structured? Thirdly, what effect does the 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students have on improving AI literacy? First, the results of the study on what contents should be composed of the first research question, the 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students, are as follows. (1) Artificial intelligence should be treated as a 'target of learning', not a tool for subject learning. (2) Learning topics should be set through 'chemical convergence' that fuses the achievement standards of each subject in elementary school with the expectations for artificial intelligence performance. In addition, learning problems that can satisfy the achievement standards of each subject and meet the expectations for artificial intelligence performance, learning activities that allow learners to create knowledge while interacting with surrounding learners and learning environments, and evaluation of the process as well as the results of learning Classes should be structured with process-oriented evaluation that are possible. (3) In order to increase AI literacy, even if the area of understanding artificial intelligence is taught, not only the concepts and principles of artificial intelligence are covered, but the existing artificial intelligence platform can be used (using artificial intelligence) or real-life problems are taught on the premise of artificial intelligence ethics. It should be taught in a 'comprehensive' way, including the process of thinking procedurally to solve real world problem or to develop competencies for artificial intelligence development The second research question, the results of the study on how the 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students should be structured are as follows. (1) It is necessary to promote understanding of artificial intelligence through the method of 'play and experience using the body organs of senses and movements'. (2) As a learning method that encourages 'interaction with the environment', understanding of artificial intelligence can be promoted. The environment here encompasses the world to which the learner belongs, the learning environment, teachers, learners around him, and virtual reality (VR). (3) The program should be structured in the way of 'convergence of other subjects'. Artificial intelligence is a convergence study involving several disciplines, and it is not possible to understand artificial intelligence by learning about one or two specific subjects. Therefore, there is a need for an interdisciplinary approach. Finally, looking at the effect of the third research question, 'AI Understanding program based on embodied cognition for AI literacy' for elementary school students on improving AI literacy, it was found that the artificial intelligence understanding-centered convergence education program significantly increased AI literacy. In particular, it was found that AI literacy had a positive effect on AI basic knowledge, development capability, and application ability, and in specific areas, it was found to be effective on AI basic knowledge and AI understanding, AI use, AI attitude and ethics. In the detailed test results by area, it was found that there was no significant effect in the areas of artificial intelligence ethical values and artificial intelligence attitudes and ethics. Based on the above research results, educational practitioners who want to apply artificial intelligence convergence education for AI literacy enhancement in elementary school are (1) introduced to artificial intelligence as a learning subject while considering the ethical aspect of artificial intelligence, and (2) to guide in connection with the existing curriculum of various subjects, (3) even if it is guided in the area of understanding artificial intelligence, through play and experiential activities that utilize the senses and motor organs of the learner's body, (4) to promote for modeling an knowledge by interactions with learners and teachers, learners and other learners, (5) it was suggested to try classes aimed at enhancing AI literacy so that knowledge can be created based on interaction with the educational environment. With this program as the cornerstone, research on artificial intelligence education based on cognitive theories that will be embodied in the future has been widely conducted, and the development and application of artificial intelligence convergence education programs for lower, middle, and upper grades in elementary school for the development of AI literacy have become active, resulting in many learners I hope that through the process of personal implementation, I will be able to create artificial intelligence knowledge related with each subject.