Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Gaps: The Impact of GenAI and Search Technologies on Retention

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Akgun, Mahir, Toker, Sacip
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Akgun, Mahir
Toker, Sacip
author_facet Akgun, Mahir
Toker, Sacip
contents The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, has transformed how students access and engage with information, raising questions about their impact on learning outcomes and retention. This study investigates how GenAI (ChatGPT), search engines (Google), and e-textbooks influence student performance across tasks of varying cognitive complexity, based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Using a sample of 123 students, we examined performance in three tasks: [1] knowing and understanding, [2] applying, and [3] synthesizing, evaluating, and creating. Results indicate that ChatGPT and Google groups outperformed the control group in immediate assessments for lower-order cognitive tasks, benefiting from quick access to structured information. However, their advantage diminished over time, with retention test scores aligning with those of the e-textbook group. For higher-order cognitive tasks, no significant differences were observed among groups, with the control group demonstrating the highest retention. These findings suggest that while AI-driven tools facilitate immediate performance, they do not inherently reinforce long-term retention unless supported by structured learning strategies. The study highlights the need for balanced technology integration in education, ensuring that AI tools are paired with pedagogical approaches that promote deep cognitive engagement and knowledge retention.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_07357
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Gaps: The Impact of GenAI and Search Technologies on Retention
Akgun, Mahir
Toker, Sacip
Computers and Society
The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, has transformed how students access and engage with information, raising questions about their impact on learning outcomes and retention. This study investigates how GenAI (ChatGPT), search engines (Google), and e-textbooks influence student performance across tasks of varying cognitive complexity, based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Using a sample of 123 students, we examined performance in three tasks: [1] knowing and understanding, [2] applying, and [3] synthesizing, evaluating, and creating. Results indicate that ChatGPT and Google groups outperformed the control group in immediate assessments for lower-order cognitive tasks, benefiting from quick access to structured information. However, their advantage diminished over time, with retention test scores aligning with those of the e-textbook group. For higher-order cognitive tasks, no significant differences were observed among groups, with the control group demonstrating the highest retention. These findings suggest that while AI-driven tools facilitate immediate performance, they do not inherently reinforce long-term retention unless supported by structured learning strategies. The study highlights the need for balanced technology integration in education, ensuring that AI tools are paired with pedagogical approaches that promote deep cognitive engagement and knowledge retention.
title Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Gaps: The Impact of GenAI and Search Technologies on Retention
topic Computers and Society
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.07357