Exploring the Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence Scaffolding on University Students’ Collaborative Knowledge Building

Collaborative learning is a significant form of learning in the era of intelligence. Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) holds advantages in providing personalized support for collaborative learning. However, current understanding of how GAI influences university students' collaborative knowledge building is limited. This study aims to address this research gap by empirically examining fthe role of GAI scaffolding in university students' collaborative knowledge building. Fifty-four undergraduates were recruited and divided into 18 groups for the experiment, with 9 groups engaging in collaborative learning supported by GAI scaffolding and the other 9 groups in a conventional technology-supported environment. All participants completed the same collaborative learning task. The results indicate that GAI scaffolding can offer cognitive and metacognitive support, effectively enhancing learners' collaborative knowledge building competences. The primary contribution of this exploratory study lies in providing support for the design and implementation of GAI scaffolding in collaborative learning.