About this session

Thursday, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Understanding Individual and Contextual Factors Related to Children’s Math Learning Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice assistants have become increasingly accessible (Rideout & Robb, 2020). Research suggests AI’s potential as a conversational or a reading partner for children (Aeschlimann et al., 2020; Xu, 2023). Despite the importance of early math learning for later math and literacy achievement (Duncan et al., 2007; Jordan et al., 2009), limited research has explored AI's role in early math development. Social interactions, such as math talks, are key to fostering math skills (Annemie et al., 2021); yet, parental engagement varies due to differences in attitudes and confidence (Berkowitz et al., 2021). Thus, AI may provide additional support for children’s math learning. This symposium aims to understand AI’s role in children’s math learning through experimental studies and parent interviews across three studies. The first experimental study examines 3- to 5-year-old children’s mathematical language learning through multiple storybook readings with scripted AI, showing that learning effects varied by children’s initial numeracy skills. The second experimental study investigates 4- to 8-year-olds’ responses to generative AI’s questions and the frequency of math words they heard during conversations, which differed compared to human partners. The last presentation examines parents’ perceptions of and attitudes toward AI use in math education for their 3rd-grade children, an important family contextual factor of children’s AI use. The symposium will conclude with a discussion on children’s learning from AI based on recent theoretical frameworks. Together, our symposium provides implications regarding the importance of understanding the individual and contextual factors underlying children’s learning from AI.

Paper #1
Title	Preschoolers’ Mathematical Language Learning During Shared Book Reading with an AI Voice Agent
Presenting author	Jisun Kim, Purdue University, United States

Paper #2
Title	Math Talk in Childhood: Exploring Communication Patterns with AI and Human Partners
Presenting author	Echo Zexuan Pan, University of Michigan, United States

Paper #3
Title	Parents’ Perceptions and Attitudes Towards AI Adaptive Learning Systems in 3rd-Grade Math Education
Presenting author	Sofia Aparício, Michigan State University, United States

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Session chair
Jisun Kim, Purdue University, United States

Discussant
Heather Kirkorian, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States

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