| Title: | Generative AI use among Slovenian lower secondary students : use patterns and attitudes |
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| Authors: | ID Arcet, Barbara (Author)
ID Dolenc, Kosta (Author)
ID Kranjec, Eva (Author) |
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| Files: |  RAZ_Arcet_Barbara_2026.pdf (280,29 KB)
MD5: 1D05096D8EB65884EE862FE322AF23E9
 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/16/5/2539
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Scientific work |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FNM - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
PEF - Faculty of Education
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| Abstract: | This study examined lower secondary students’ self-reported use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for schoolwork across four modalities (text, image, audio, and video), and tested how attitudes grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) relates to usage. A total of 312 grade 7–9 students from Slovenian primary schools participated in the study. The final analytic sample comprised 229 students (47.2% female; Mage = 13.2 years) who reported at least minimal familiarity with GenAI. Students completed an online questionnaire assessing frequency of tool use and five attitude components (teacher support, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, experience, and attitudes toward learning with GenAI). Text generation tools were used more frequently than image, audio, or video generation tools. Text tool use was higher among ninth graders than seventh and eighth graders. Text tool use correlated positively with perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and experience, and negatively with attitudes toward learning with GenAI. In multiple regression, only perceived usefulness uniquely predicted text tool use, with attitudes explaining 13.7% of variance. Findings indicate that GenAI uptake is currently text-centric and primarily associated with perceived usefulness/performance expectancy, while perceived teacher support (facilitating conditions) shows weak links to use. |
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| Keywords: | generative AI, lower secondary students, students’ attitudes |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Article acceptance date: | 25.02.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 06.03.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 17 str. |
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| Numbering: | Letn. 16, št. 5, [št. članka] 2539 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-97569  |
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| UDC: | 373.5.:004 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2076-3417 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 272333059 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/app16052539 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 20.03.2026 |
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| Views: | 224 |
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| Downloads: | 5 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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