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The effect of ChatGPT on students’ learning performance, learning perception, and higher-order thinking: insights from a meta-analysis

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  • Jin Wang

    (Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University)

  • Wenxiang Fan

    (Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University
    Chinese Education Modernization Research Institute of Hangzhou Normal University (Zhejiang Provincial Key Think Tank))

Abstract

As a new type of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT is becoming widely used in learning. However, academic consensus regarding its efficacy remains elusive. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT in improving students’ learning performance, learning perception, and higher-order thinking through a meta-analysis of 51 research studies published between November 2022 and February 2025. The results indicate that ChatGPT has a large positive impact on improving learning performance (g = 0.867) and a moderately positive impact on enhancing learning perception (g = 0.456) and fostering higher-order thinking (g = 0.457). The impact of ChatGPT on learning performance was moderated by type of course (QB = 64.249, P

Suggested Citation

  • Jin Wang & Wenxiang Fan, 2025. "The effect of ChatGPT on students’ learning performance, learning perception, and higher-order thinking: insights from a meta-analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-04787-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04787-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tomaž Kosar & Dragana Ostojić & Yu David Liu & Marjan Mernik, 2024. "Computer Science Education in ChatGPT Era: Experiences from an Experiment in a Programming Course for Novice Programmers," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, February.
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