The Relationship Between the Use of AI in Mathematics Education and Connectivism Theory

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the educational landscape, offering new opportunities for personalized and interactive learning.  This study explores the relationship between the use of AI in mathematics education and the principles of connectivism. Employing a qualitative, phenomenological research design, the study gathered insights from 19 participants, including mathematics educators and educational technology experts, through written responses to open-ended questions. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: the impact of AI on mathematics learning, the enhancement of communication and learning communities, the role of AI in fostering critical thinking, and the alignment of AI usage with connectivist principles. The findings illustrate a significant alignment between the use of AI tools in mathematics education and the principles of connectivism. In addition, they suggest that AI tools enhance personalized and interactive learning experiences, support collaboration and promote the integration of diverse perspectives. However, the participants stressed the importance of maintaining human interaction to ensure meaningful learning and highlighted challenges, such as misinformation, the need for expert verification of AI-generated content and the importance of fostering AI literacy. . Further research is recommended to address ethical concerns, explore long-term impacts and ensure effective AI integration across diverse educational contexts.