Assessment of Artificial Intelligence Awareness Level and Utilization Strategies Among Mathematics Students in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State

Abstract

This study assessed artificial intelligence awareness level and utilization strategies among mathematics students in tertiary institutions in Imo State. Based on the purpose of the study, three research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of all the 123 mathematics students in tertiary institutions in Imo State.  The sample of 80 mathematics pre-service teachers using purposive sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection is a structured questionnaire titled: Artificial intelligence Awareness and Utilization Strategies Questionnaire (AIAUSQ). The AIAUSQ has three sections. Section A contained items designed to elicit demographic information, Section B measures Artificial Intelligence Awareness and utilization scale it has four dimensions namely (a) Cognitive Awareness (knowledge level): it involves knowing about the existence of a concepts. (b) Comprehension Awareness (Understanding Level): At this stage the students understand how the concepts work and its relevance, (c) Application Awareness (Usage Level): this involves the ability to use the knowledge in practical situations and (d) Attitudinal Awareness (feelings and perceptions): this reflects students’ feelings, perception and disposition towards the concepts. The AIAUSQ was validated by two research experts in measurement and evaluation and one expert in mathematics education. Test re-test technique was employed to determine the reliability of the instrument; a pilot study was carried out by the researchers on two occasions on randomly selected students who were not part of the study. The data collected on the two administrations were collated and analyzed using PPMC analysis, the result yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.89 which shows that the instrument was reliable. The data collected were collated and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The study concluded that mathematics students in tertiary institutions in Imo State utilize a few common AI tools, especially ChatGPT, MATLAB, Grammarly/QuillBot, and Khan Academy AI learning platforms, while many specialized mathematics AI tools remain underutilized. The findings further revealed that pre-service teachers possess a high level of awareness regarding artificial intelligence, including cognitive, comprehension, application, and attitudinal awareness. It was recommended that tertiary institutions in Imo State should organize regular workshops, seminars, and training programmes to improve students’ and lecturers’ knowledge of specialized AI mathematical tools such as Wolfram Alpha, GeoGebra, Symbolab, and Maple.