Integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Project Based Learning to Enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills of University Students in the Society 5.0 Era

Authors

  • Hery Setiyatna UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta
  • Blasius Atini Universitas Timor
  • Yuni Misrahayu Universitas Doktor Husni Ingratubun Papua
  • Lukman Hakim Sekolah Tinggi Hukum Galunggung Tasikmalaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i5.69

Keywords:

Generative Artificial Intelligence, Project Based Learning, Higher Order Thinking Skills, Society 5.0, Higher Education.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Project Based Learning (PBL) to support the development of students' Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in the Society 5.0 era. The research uses a qualitative approach with a case study design on project-based learning in college. The research informants consisted of 18 students and 4 lecturers who were selected purposively based on their involvement in the use of GenAI in the learning process. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, documentation, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that the integration of GenAI in PBL supports students' analytical thinking skills, creativity, critical reflection, and collaboration through more adaptive and interactive learning. This study concludes that the use of GenAI in PBL has the potential to be an innovative learning strategy to strengthen students' HOTS in the Society 5.0 era

References

Alim, B. (2025). The application of AI-assisted project-based learning to improve students’ critical thinking skills. DIAJAR: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran. https://journal.yp3a.org/index.php/diajar/article/view/5788

Alim, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence-assisted project-based learning and students’ critical thinking skills in higher education. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 54(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472395251300124

Anazifa, R. D., & Djukri. (2021). Project-based learning and problem-based learning: Are they effective to improve students’ thinking skills? Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 10(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v10i1.27195

Aoun, J. E. (2017). Robot-proof: Higher education in the age of artificial intelligence. MIT Press.

Baidoo-Anu, D., & Owusu Ansah, L. (2023). Education in the era of generative artificial intelligence (AI): Understanding the potential benefits of ChatGPT in promoting teaching and learning. Journal of AI, 7(1), 52–62. https://doi.org/10.61969/jai.1337500

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/thematic-analysis/book248481

Cotton, D. R. E., Cotton, P. A., & Shipway, J. R. (2023). Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(2), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/research-design/book270550

Dwivedi, Y. K., Kshetri, N., Hughes, L., Slade, E. L., Jeyaraj, A., Kar, A. K., Baabdullah, A. M., Koohang, A., Raghavan, V., Ahuja, M., Albanna, H., Albashrawi, M., Al-Busaidi, K. A., Balakrishnan, J., Barlette, Y., Basu, S., Bose, I., Brooks, L., Buhalis, D., … Wright, R. (2023). “So what if ChatGPT wrote it?” Multidisciplinary perspectives on opportunities, challenges, and implications of generative conversational AI for research, practice, and policy. International Journal of Information Management, 71, 102642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102642

Fitriyah, F., & Ratnawati. (2025). Investigating generative AI utilization for project-based learning: Teachers’ role, challenges, and strategies in higher education. Jurnal Wahana Pendidikan, 12(2), 285–300. https://jurnal.unigal.ac.id/jwp/article/viewFile/19776/10130

Fitriyah, N., & Ratnawati, D. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence integration in project-based learning: Pedagogical strategies and implementation challenges in higher education. International Journal of Instruction, 18(1), 311–328. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2025.18118a

Henriksen, D., Richardson, C., & Mehta, R. (2021). Design thinking: A creative approach to educational problems of practice. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 39, 100759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100759

Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2022). Artificial intelligence in education: Promises and implications for teaching and learning. Center for Curriculum Redesign.

Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U., Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., Krusche, S., Kutyniok, G., Michaeli, T., Nerdel, C., Pfeiffer, F., Poquet, O., Sailer, M., Schmidt, A., Seidel, T., … Kasneci, G. (2023). ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103, 102274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274

Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Project-based learning: A review of the literature. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (2021). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications. https://methods.sagepub.com/book/naturalistic-inquiry

Long, D., & Magerko, B. (2020). What is AI literacy? Competencies and design considerations. In Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1–16). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376727

Luckin, R., & Holmes, W. (2021). Intelligence unleashed: An argument for AI in education. Pearson Education.

Miao, F., & Holmes, W. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/guidance-generative-ai-education-and-research

OECD. (2021). OECD digital education outlook 2021: Pushing the frontiers with artificial intelligence, blockchain and robots. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://doi.org/10.1787/589b283f-en

OECD. (2023). Artificial intelligence and education and skills. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/artificial-intelligence-and-education-and-skills.html

OECD. (2023). Emerging governance of generative AI in education. In OECD digital education outlook 2023. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2023_c74f03de-en.html

OECD. (2024). Artificial intelligence in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://www.oecd.org/education/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-skills.html

Park, J. (2025). A systematic literature review of generative artificial intelligence in education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666920X25001274

Paulus, T. M., & Lester, J. N. (2022). Doing qualitative research in a digital world. SAGE Publications. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/doing-qualitative-research-in-a-digital-world/book268648

Rahman, M. H., Widodo, A., & Suryani, N. (2022). Digital project-based learning to enhance collaboration skills in higher education. International Journal of Instruction, 15(3), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.1538a

Song, D., Zhang, P., Zhu, Y., Qi, S., Yang, Y., Gong, L., & Zhou, L. (2025). Effects of generative artificial intelligence on higher-order thinking skills and artificial intelligence literacy in nursing undergraduates: A quasi-experimental study. Nurse Education in Practice, 88, 104549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104549

Song, Y., Wang, H., & Li, Z. (2025). Generative AI-supported learning strategies and the development of higher-order thinking skills and AI literacy among university students. Education and Information Technologies, 30(4), 5121–5143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13572-4

Tlili, A., Shehata, B., Adarkwah, M. A., Bozkurt, A., Hickey, D. T., Huang, R., & Agyemang, B. (2023). What if the devil is my guardian angel: ChatGPT as a case study of using chatbots in education. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00237-x

UNESCO. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. UNESCO Publishing. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693

Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2021). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(39), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00239-5

Zhao, Y. (2025). Does generative artificial intelligence improve students’ higher-order thinking? A meta-analysis based on experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Educational Technology Research and Development. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12734368/

Zhao, Y., Yue, Y., Sun, Z., Jiang, Q., & Li, G. (2025). Does generative artificial intelligence improve students’ higher-order thinking? A meta-analysis based on 29 experiments and quasi-experiments. Journal of Intelligence, 13(12), 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13120160

Zhao, Y., Zhang, X., & Liu, R. (2025). Does generative artificial intelligence improve students’ higher-order thinking? A meta-analysis based on experimental and quasi-experimental studies. Educational Technology Research and Development, 73(1), 155–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-025-10472-1

Published

2026-06-05

Issue

Section

Articles