The Illusion of Understanding: How Middle-Schoolers Fail to Regulate Inquiry with ChatGPT in a Science Task

2026

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AI-generated summary

1) This study reveals that middle schoolers struggle to effectively use ChatGPT for science inquiry, often over-relying on the AI and failing to critically evaluate its responses, leading to an "illusion of understanding."
2) * Examines how middle school students interact with ChatGPT during science tasks, focusing on their ability to initiate and regulate inquiry cycles.
* Finds that students struggle to distinguish effective prompts, critically evaluate AI responses, and terminate inquiry prematurely, resulting in moderate task performance.
* Highlights the need for AI literacy interventions that go beyond technical skills to teach metacognitive regulation strategies for effective learning with AI.
3) ChatGPT, AI literacy, Middle school, Science education, Metacognition

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