(by invitation only) Special Issue on Bridging Futures: The Convergence of Technology Enhanced Learning and Generative AI

Rationale, Motivation, and Scope of the Special Issue

The introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence, e.g., chatGPT, has caused and is causing significant changes in many research fields. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, integrating Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) represents a revolutionary stride forward that opens up unprecedented possibilities.

GAI can augment TEL by providing personalized learning materials, generating new educational content, and offering adaptive learning paths. For instance, AI-generated texts can offer customized reading materials suited to a learner's level, while AI-created simulations and visualizations can enhance understanding of complex concepts. Moreover, the integration of GAI in TEL can democratize education. Automating content creation can provide high-quality educational resources at scale, breaking down geographical and socio-economic barriers to learning.

However, this synergy has challenges. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and the potential for reinforcing biases through AI algorithms are concerns that must be addressed. Furthermore, the effective integration of GAI in TEL demands rethinking educational frameworks, pedagogies, and assessment models to harness its potential while mitigating its risks fully. Studies and tools investigating the opportunities above are starting to appear, and it is crucial to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that the future of education is inclusive, equitable, and human-centric.

In summary, the relationship between TEL and GAI is a dynamic and evolving research area poised to redefine educational paradigms.

The special issue comes one year after the groundbreaking releases of the most significant LLMs (e.g., GPT-4 and LLaMA2) and, therefore, after sufficient time for researchers to conduct thorough studies producing solid results. Thus, this special issue aims to collect papers discussing the effectiveness of using GAI in supporting students through textual and visual feedback, from the manifold perspective of the learners' experience, engagement, and outcomes. In summary, novel technological and methodological approaches to TEL, supported by GAI, whose educational impacts were measured with sound experiments, are desirable contributions to the special issue. Finally, manuscripts showing a positive effect of GAI on learners with special educational needs are particularly welcome.

Accordingly, this special issue targets educators, researchers, policymakers, and technology developers interested in proposing works on and discussing the impact of technologies based on GAI on learning and teaching methodologies.

Deadlines

August 31, 2024: submission of extended abstract via Easychair plaform: EasyChair

September 15, 2024: extended abstract acceptance notification and start of submission of full proposals.

October 31, 2024: Paper submission deadline via SNAPP

January 31, 2025: Notification to authors on acceptance of submission

February 28, 2025: Camera ready submission