journal article·2023-02-27Open access

The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Online Learning and Distance Education Processes: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies

Murat Ertan Dogan, Tulay Goru Dogan, Aras Bozkurt

Applied Sciences· Volume 13· Issue 5

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are used in many dimensions of our lives, including education. Motivated by the increasing use of AI technologies and the current state of the art, this study examines research on AI from the perspective of online distance education. Following a systematic review protocol and using data mining and analytics approaches, the study examines a total of 276 publications. Accordingly, time trend analysis increases steadily with a peak in recent years, and China, India, and the United States are the leading countries in research on AI in online learning and distance education. Computer science and engineering are the research areas that make the most of the contribution, followed by social sciences. t-SNE analysis reveals three dominant clusters showing thematic tendencies, which are as follows: (1) how AI technologies are used in online teaching and learning processes, (2) how algorithms are used for the recognition, identification, and prediction of students’ behaviors, and (3) adaptive and personalized learning empowered through artificial intelligence technologies. Additionally, the text mining and social network analysis identified three broad research themes, which are (1) educational data mining, learning analytics, and artificial intelligence for adaptive and personalized learning; (2) algorithmic online educational spaces, ethics, and human agency; and (3) online learning through detection, identification, recognition, and prediction.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Online Learning and Analytics · E-Learning and Knowledge Management · Technology-Enhanced Education Studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Science Culture, Yasar University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey

Department of New Media and Communication, Yasar University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey

Department of Distance Education, Anadolu University, 26470 Eskisehir, Turkey

Funding

Odesoft Ltd. Co. of Antalya Technopolis

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