ChatGPT as an Innovative Learning Medium for Fostering Creativity and Self-Directed Learning among Elementary Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32832/at-tadib.v10i2.24262Keywords:
ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, Elementary Education, Creativity, Self-Directed Learning, Digital LiteracyAbstract
The suboptimal integration of technology into classroom learning remains a challenge at SD Al-Munawwar Panyabungan. Many students primarily use smartphones and other digital devices for entertainment, resulting in underdeveloped creativity and self-directed learning skills. This study aimed to describe the use of ChatGPT as an artificial intelligence (AI)-based innovative learning medium to promote the positive use of technology while fostering creativity and self-directed learning among elementary school students. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed involving 25 fifth-grade students. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with teachers and parents, and documentation of learning activities. The findings indicate that ChatGPT helped students think more creatively, generate ideas independently, improve the structure of their writing, and develop greater self-confidence. These improvements were reflected in students' ability to produce more coherent narrative texts, use a wider range of vocabulary, and develop story ideas more independently after using ChatGPT during writing activities. In addition, students began to use digital technology more productively for learning purposes. The findings suggest that ChatGPT, as an AI-based learning medium, can foster students' creativity, self-directed learning, and positive digital literacy in elementary education. Practically, the results imply that the purposeful integration of ChatGPT into classroom instruction can serve as an alternative pedagogical strategy for elementary school teachers to develop students' writing skills, creativity, and self-directed learning through the responsible use of digital technology.
References
Adeshola, I., & Adepoju, A. P. (2024). The Opportunities And Challenges Of Chatgpt In Education. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(10), 6159–6172. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2253858
Ahn, K.-H. (2024). Main Contents And Implications Of The 2023 Revision Of The Oecd Guidelines For Multinational Enterprises*. Journal Of International Logistics And Trade, 22(2), 80–92. Https://Doi.Org/10.1108/Jilt-12-2023-0081
Andini, D., Pohan, I. S., Lylyana, A., Rezeki, A., Cahyani, S., & Dila, I. Y. (2025). Peran Pendidikan Agama Islam Dalam Membentuk Karakter Religius Peserta Didik Di Era Digital. 1.
Anggraini, F. L. (N.D.). Eksplorasi Praktik Blended Socio-Digital Learning Dalam Membangun Agency Belajar Pada Siswa.
Asmara, A. (2025). Analisis Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Matematis Siswa Smp Pada Materi Persamaan Dan Pertidaksanaan Linear Satu Variable. 4.
Azizah, S. N., & Astutik, A. P. (2025). Diferensiasi Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Dalam Meningkatkan Literasi Di Era Digital. Jiip - Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 8(3), 2905–2915. Https://Doi.Org/10.54371/Jiip.V8i3.7503
Barro, R. J., & Bianchi, F. (N.D.). Nber Working Paper Series.
Bitkina, O. Vl., Kim, H. K., & Park, J. (2020). Usability And User Experience Of Medical Devices: An Overview Of The Current State, Analysis Methodologies, And Future Challenges. International Journal Of Industrial Ergonomics, 76, 102932. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Ergon.2020.102932
Carter Jr, R. A., Rice, M., Yang, S., & Jackson, H. A. (2020). Self-Regulated Learning In Online Learning Environments: Strategies For Remote Learning. Information And Learning Sciences, 121(5/6), 321–329. Https://Doi.Org/10.1108/Ils-04-2020-0114
Chen, S. (2025). Perceived Teacher Support On International Students’ Engagement And Psychological Well-Being In Ai-Based Learning: The Mediating Role Of Motivation Through The Lens Of Self-Determination Theory. Learning And Motivation, 91, 102165. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Lmot.2025.102165
Dogan, M. E., Goru Dogan, T., & Bozkurt, A. (2023). The Use Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Online Learning And Distance Education Processes: A Systematic Review Of Empirical Studies. Applied Sciences, 13(5), 3056. Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/App13053056
Durgungoz, A., & Kharrufa, A. (2026). “Chatgpt Is Like A Study Buddy, A Teacher And Sometimes Just A Friend”: A Longitudinal Exploration Of Students’ Interactions, Perception And Acceptance. Interactive Learning Environments, 34(2), 758–777. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/10494820.2025.2509276
Eem Merani Destiana, Dimas Sartika, Nur Puspitasari, & Asiyah Asiyah. (2025). Management Pendidikan Abad 21, Globalisasi, Teknologi. Harmoni Pendidikan : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 2(4), 130–147. Https://Doi.Org/10.62383/Hardik.V2i4.2399
Elbanna, S., & Armstrong, L. (2024). Exploring The Integration Of Chatgpt In Education: Adapting For The Future. Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review, 3(1), 16–29. Https://Doi.Org/10.1108/Msar-03-2023-0016
Ganesha, H. R. (2022). Choosing An Appropriate Data Collection Instrument And Checking For The Calibration, Validity, And Reliability Of Data Collection Instrument Before Collecting The Data During Ph.D. Program In India. 7(2).
Grubaugh, S., Levitt, G., & Deever, D. (2023). Harnessing Ai To Power Constructivist Learning: An Evolution In Educational Methodologies. Eiki Journal Of Effective Teaching Methods, 1(3). Https://Doi.Org/10.59652/Jetm.V1i3.43
Hoadley, C., & Campos, F. C. (2022). Design-Based Research: What It Is And Why It Matters To Studying Online Learning. Educational Psychologist, 57(3), 207–220. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/00461520.2022.2079128
Latip, A. E., Tri, S., Masyitoh, S., & Widyanto, R. (2026). Innovativeness And Adoption Of Generative Artificial Intelligence In Learning: Evidence From Islamic Primary Teacher Education Students. 10. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.32832/At-Tadib.V10i1.23201
Niloy, A. C., Akter, S., Sultana, N., Sultana, J., & Rahman, S. I. U. (2024). Is Chatgpt A Menace For Creative Writing Ability? An Experiment. Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning, 40(2), 919–930. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/Jcal.12929
Nilson, L. B., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2023). Creating Self-Regulated Learners: Strategies To Strengthen Students’ Self-Awareness And Learning Skills (1st Ed.). Routledge. Https://Doi.Org/10.4324/9781003443803
Nurjanah, A., Salsabila, I. N., Azzahra, A., Rahayu, R., & Marlina, N. (2024). Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Usage In Today’s Teaching And Learning Process: A Review. Syntax Idea, 6(3), 1517–1523. Https://Doi.Org/10.46799/Syntax-Idea.V6i3.3126
Prasad, P., & Sane, A. (2024). A Self-Regulated Learning Framework Using Generative Ai And Its Application In Cs Educational Intervention Design. Proceedings Of The 55th Acm Technical Symposium On Computer Science Education V. 1, 1070–1076. Https://Doi.Org/10.1145/3626252.3630828
Proudfoot, K. (2023). Inductive/Deductive Hybrid Thematic Analysis In Mixed Methods Research. Journal Of Mixed Methods Research, 17(3), 308–326. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/15586898221126816
Rahman, Md. M., & Watanobe, Y. (2023). Chatgpt For Education And Research: Opportunities, Threats, And Strategies. Applied Sciences, 13(9), 5783. Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/App13095783
Romero, M. (2025). From Consumption To Co-Creation: A Systematic Review Of Six Levels Of Ai-Enhanced Creative Engagement In Education. Multimodal Technologies And Interaction, 9(10), 110. Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/Mti9100110
Samsul Arifin & M. Aqil Fahmi Sanjani. (2024). Management Of Ahlussunnah Wal Jama’ah-Based Curriculum Development In Islamic Education Best Practice. Educazione: Journal Of Education And Learning, 1(2), 102–115. Https://Doi.Org/10.61987/Educazione.V1i2.499
Satriyawan, A. N., Darmanto, Muh Hussein Muttaqien, Yusron Hanaf, & Tamman Firdaus Muqarrobin. (2026). Integration Of Science And Religion In Science And Social Studies Learning: Qualitative Study Of Character Education In Elementary Schools. 10. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.32832/At-Tadib.V10i1.23227
Soegiarto, I., Hasnah, S., Annas, A. N., Sundari, S., & Dhaniswara, E. (N.D.). Inovasi Pembelajaran Berbasis Teknologi Artificial Intelligences (Ai) Pada Sekolah Kedinasan Di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0 Dan Society 5.O.
Sok, S., & Heng, K. (2024). Opportunities, Challenges, And Strategies For Using Chatgpt In Higher Education: A Literature Review. Journal Of Digital Educational Technology, 4(1), Ep2401. Https://Doi.Org/10.30935/Jdet/14027
Standage, M., & Ryan, R. M. (2020). Self‐Determination Theory In Sport And Exercise. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook Of Sport Psychology (1st Ed., Pp. 37–56). Wiley. Https://Doi.Org/10.1002/9781119568124.Ch3
Sudrajad, W., Fikri, Moh. H., & Putra, R. P. B. (2024). Help Me Chatgpt! What Ways Does Chatgpt Influence Students’ Productivity And Creativity In English Academic Writing? Educatum: Scientific Journal Of Education, 2(2), 48–57. Https://Doi.Org/10.59165/Educatum.V2i2.65
Suhada, D., Riski, M., Anwar, S., & Jasiah, J. (2025). Studi Literature: Perkembangan Dan Dampak Penggunaan E-Book Dalam Dunia Pendidikan. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 3(4), 5213–5221. Https://Doi.Org/10.31004/Jerkin.V3i4.1188
Sun, M., Wang, M., & Wegerif, R. (2020). Effects Of Divergent Thinking Training On Students’ Scientific Creativity: The Impact Of Individual Creative Potential And Domain Knowledge. Thinking Skills And Creativity, 37, 100682. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Tsc.2020.100682
Susandi, A., Amelia, D. J., Huda, M. M., Mz, A. F. S. A., & Khasanah, L. A. I. U. (2025). Relevansi Kurikulum Merdeka Berbasis Literasi Digital Menuju Generasi Indonesia Emas 2045. Journal Of Nusantara Education, 4(2), 109–119. Https://Doi.Org/10.57176/Jn.V4i2.148
Susanti, S., Manalu, A. H., Pakpahan, N., Pinem, S. A., & Pinem, Y. V. B. (2024). Analisis Tingkat Konsentrasi Belajar Siswa Akibat Penggunaan Gadget Di Sma Methodist 7 Medan, Jl. Madong Lubis No. 7 Medan. (4).
Susanto, A. H., & Wulandari, M. D. (2024). Optimalisasi Pembelajaran Anak Usia Sekolah Dasar Melalui Pemahaman Teori Perkembangan Kognitif Jean Piaget. 09.
Vuk, S. (2023). Development Of Creativity In Elementary School. Journal Of Creativity, 33(2), 100055. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Yjoc.2023.100055
Woods, P. J., & Copur-Gencturk, Y. (2024). Examining The Role Of Student-Centered Versus Teacher-Centered Pedagogical Approaches To Self-Directed Learning Through Teaching. Teaching And Teacher Education, 138, 104415. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Tate.2023.104415
Yan, Z., & Carless, D. (2022). Self-Assessment Is About More Than Self: The Enabling Role Of Feedback Literacy. Assessment & Evaluation In Higher Education, 47(7), 1116–1128. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/02602938.2021.2001431
