Leveraging Generative AI to Enhance Student Learning Outcomes: A Framework for Educational Innovation
This project explores the impact of generative AI on student and teacher practices, examining early adoption to identify effective use patterns that enhance student learning and support educators in integrating AI into pedagogy.
Research Opportunities
Summary
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every sector, including higher education, with profound implications for students, educators, and policymakers alike. This project focuses on understanding the role of generative AI within the educational experience, investigating how students and educators can effectively use generative AI systems to enhance learning and teaching practices.
Generative AI, with its ability to create content, respond interactively, and adapt based on user input, offers unique opportunities for improving student engagement, understanding, and overall learning outcomes. This project proposes to examine how early adopters use generative AI to augment their learning, identify patterns of effective use, and determine how these applications can enhance comprehension and engagement across diverse student needs. For instance, generative AI can support students in problem-solving by generating examples, explaining complex concepts, and providing personalized feedback. However, while these technologies promise new avenues for learning, they also present challenges, including potential over-reliance on AI-generated content, ethical considerations, and the need for digital literacy skills to critically assess AI responses. In addition to investigating student use, this project might also consider how generative AI can be a resource for educators. Generative AI offers tools to streamline lesson planning, generate interactive examples, and adapt content to varying student needs. By empowering educators to integrate these technologies into their pedagogical approach, the project seeks to foster a classroom environment that not only enhances student learning but also supports teachers in using AI to enrich the educational experience.
As the findings of this research emerge, they are expected to contribute to a framework for generative AI use in higher education. This framework will outline best practices for both students and educators, equipping them with strategies for integrating AI into coursework in ways that support active, critical, and personalized learning. Additionally, the framework will address ethical considerations, including data privacy, the importance of human oversight, and methods for evaluating AI-generated content.
Ultimately, this project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in understanding how generative AI can serve as a powerful educational tool when used effectively. By exploring how students and educators can engage with these systems, the research not only aims to support current practices but also to lay the groundwork for future pedagogical approaches that are adaptable to evolving AI technologies. The insights gained from this study will inform stakeholders across the educational spectrum-students, teachers, administrators, and policymakers-about the potential for generative AI to play a transformative role in higher education and to help ensure that its integration into learning environments is both effective and ethically sound.
Supervisors
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Research Themes
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About our Research Degrees
We welcome specific ideas from applicants for a potential research degree topic. The University offers a number of potential self-funded topics in each School which you could consider developing your research project around.
It is not unusual for a proposed research degree topic to evolve as you progress through the application stage and even your future studies. This ensures the best match of your academic/professional experience with that of your supervisory team.
Occasionally, the University will also advertise available funded studentships, for very specific topics or subjects:
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Entry requirements
Entry Requirements for Research Degrees
Normal entry requirements are a first or upper second class honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom, or from an overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University.
Applicants holding other qualifications shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme.
Applicants will normally register for an MSc/PhD or MRes/PhD with transfer to PhD dependent on satisfactory progress. However, applicants who already possess a Master’s degree which includes a significant research component could be registered directly for a PhD, subject to a satisfactory research proposal, and clear evidence of research expertise.
Some Research Degree Topics require employment experience, research experience and/or transcripts for international qualifications.
Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk to see if you are eligible.
English Language
Any applicant whose first language or language of previous University-level instruction is not English must normally demonstrate competence in English. This should be a score of IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in all elements, or an approved equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact researchdegrees@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Fees & Costs
For Academic Year 2024/2025
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,786 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,870 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,390 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £19,450 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,670 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,720 per academic year
For Academic Year 2023/2024
UK/EU Students
- Full time - £4,712 per academic year
- Part time MPhil/PhD - £2,830 per academic year
- Part time MRes/MSc by research - £2,356 per academic year
International Students
- Full time - £18,700 per academic year
- Part-time MPhil/PhD - £11,220 per academic year
- Part-time MRes/MSc by research - £9,350 per academic year
Additional Costs
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
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- Accommodation and living costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
Postgraduate research students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However you may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Funded Studentships
Occasionally, the University will also advertise available funded studentships, for very specific topics or subjects:
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information see:
How to Apply
Applications
All applications should be made via the University's online application for research students.
Before you apply, find out more about the application process, research proposal writing guides, routes and durations:
Our Research degrees usually start in February and October each year. There are no formal deadlines for you to submit your application, though we recommend you submit it as early as possible in order to ensure we can help you join us at your preferred time.
Completed application forms should be accompanied by:
- Degree certificate
- Statement of purpose, detailing why you would like to study this degree in the UK, and why you have chosen RGU.
- A short research proposal, in the range of 1,500 - 3,000 words, containing a rationale and background, study aims and objectives, a literature review, proposed research methods and a full reference list.
Further guidance on the application process:
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not from a recognised English speaking country will be asked to provide evidence of their English language skills as part of their offer to study at RGU.
Find out more about the English language qualification we accept:
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