The use of artificial intelligence in education: A meta-synthesis study

The aim of this meta-synthesis study is to systematically review current researchs on the use of artificial intelligence in the education system, which is a technology that has rapidly become prevalent in all aspects of our lives in recent years, and to identify the general trends, findings, and challenges in this field. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the effects of AI-supported applications in education, as well as to assess the perceptions, acceptance levels, and future trends of teachers and students. For this study, qualitative and mixed-method studies published between 2018 and 2023 were identified by searching the YOKTEZ thesis search page and ProQuest databases. In order to select the studies in accordance with the research objectives, the PRISMA guideline was utilized, inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined and the selection process was carried out accordingly. The selected studies were then read in accordance with the meta-synthesis process steps defined by Polat and Ay in 2016, themes were identified, and common themes were synthesized to report the process and findings. The study revealed that the use of artificial intelligence in education contributes to academic success, personalizes learning processes, and has the potential to enrich teaching methods. While teachers and students generally have a positive attitude towards AI technologies, they also harbor some concerns regarding data privacy and security from an ethical and moral standpoint. Looking towards the future, there is a prevailing understanding that artificial intelligence will become more integrated into the system; however, it is noted that the lack of technological infrastructure and adequate educational support at the institutional level may slow down the process. It was concluded that institutions require substantial budgets to transition to AI-supported systems and that national policies need to address this transition strategically.