Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems

The immediate advancement of AI technologies as educational technology revolutionized the learning environment of students; contributing to their academic performance will require an understanding of the factors that influenced the acceptance of AI tools. Insufficient studies were seen from literatu...

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Main Authors: Kimberly F. Garcia, Ardvin Kester S. Ong, Ma. Janice J. Gumasing, Cesar Romeo V. Delos Reyes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Acta Psychologica
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825003178
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author Kimberly F. Garcia
Ardvin Kester S. Ong
Ma. Janice J. Gumasing
Cesar Romeo V. Delos Reyes
author_facet Kimberly F. Garcia
Ardvin Kester S. Ong
Ma. Janice J. Gumasing
Cesar Romeo V. Delos Reyes
author_sort Kimberly F. Garcia
collection DOAJ
description The immediate advancement of AI technologies as educational technology revolutionized the learning environment of students; contributing to their academic performance will require an understanding of the factors that influenced the acceptance of AI tools. Insufficient studies were seen from literature review that focused on the integrated factors that influenced the perception of acceptance and actual usage of AI-based math tools among engineering students. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variables that influenced the engineering students' perceptions of adoption and actual academic use of AI-based math tools as academic assistance. This study identified the determinants of behavioral, technology use, and motivation by utilizing the higher-order Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT3), self-determination theory, and the variable trust to examine the behavioral intention influencing adoption of AI tools. A total of 565 valid respondents were analyzed through purposive sampling using structural equation modeling. The results revealed that hedonic motivation, perceived competence, performance expectancy, and habit are the most significant indicators of both students' behavioral intentions and actual use of AI-based math tools. The outcome indicated that students are more inclined to utilize AI tools when they find them engaging and are convinced that they can employ them efficiently and incorporate the tools in their academic routines. From the result, perceived autonomy was deemed insignificant to behavioral intentions, suggesting that students utilize AI tools for functionality and benefits in their academic performance rather than the adaptability of the tools. The outcome of the study may be considered evaluating the behavioral intention and adoption of the students towards innovative AI tools. The results in this study could be extended and applied to the assessment of factors in educational technology studies. Proper ethical use, managerial implications, and theoretical contributions were also discussed after obtaining the output of this study – deeming AI math tools as guide and resource among students and not as a substitute for solutions on mathematical problems.
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spelling doaj-art-c64a4cb0ddf14c7dbc3edae4a0b877292025-08-20T03:49:17ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-06-0125610500410.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105004Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problemsKimberly F. Garcia0Ardvin Kester S. Ong1Ma. Janice J. Gumasing2Cesar Romeo V. Delos Reyes3School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines; School of Graduate Studies, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, PhilippinesSchool of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines; Corresponding author.Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Ave., Manila 1007, PhilippinesDepartment of Mathematics, Mapúa University, 658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila 1002, Philippines; College of Education, St. Paul University, Manila, 680 Pedro Gil St, Malate, Manila 1004, Metro Manila, PhilippinesThe immediate advancement of AI technologies as educational technology revolutionized the learning environment of students; contributing to their academic performance will require an understanding of the factors that influenced the acceptance of AI tools. Insufficient studies were seen from literature review that focused on the integrated factors that influenced the perception of acceptance and actual usage of AI-based math tools among engineering students. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variables that influenced the engineering students' perceptions of adoption and actual academic use of AI-based math tools as academic assistance. This study identified the determinants of behavioral, technology use, and motivation by utilizing the higher-order Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT3), self-determination theory, and the variable trust to examine the behavioral intention influencing adoption of AI tools. A total of 565 valid respondents were analyzed through purposive sampling using structural equation modeling. The results revealed that hedonic motivation, perceived competence, performance expectancy, and habit are the most significant indicators of both students' behavioral intentions and actual use of AI-based math tools. The outcome indicated that students are more inclined to utilize AI tools when they find them engaging and are convinced that they can employ them efficiently and incorporate the tools in their academic routines. From the result, perceived autonomy was deemed insignificant to behavioral intentions, suggesting that students utilize AI tools for functionality and benefits in their academic performance rather than the adaptability of the tools. The outcome of the study may be considered evaluating the behavioral intention and adoption of the students towards innovative AI tools. The results in this study could be extended and applied to the assessment of factors in educational technology studies. Proper ethical use, managerial implications, and theoretical contributions were also discussed after obtaining the output of this study – deeming AI math tools as guide and resource among students and not as a substitute for solutions on mathematical problems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825003178AI-powered math toolsUTAUT3Self-determination theoryTrustTechnology adoptionBehavioral intention
spellingShingle Kimberly F. Garcia
Ardvin Kester S. Ong
Ma. Janice J. Gumasing
Cesar Romeo V. Delos Reyes
Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
Acta Psychologica
AI-powered math tools
UTAUT3
Self-determination theory
Trust
Technology adoption
Behavioral intention
title Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
title_full Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
title_fullStr Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
title_full_unstemmed Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
title_short Engineering students' perceptions and actual use of AI-based math tools for solving mathematical problems
title_sort engineering students perceptions and actual use of ai based math tools for solving mathematical problems
topic AI-powered math tools
UTAUT3
Self-determination theory
Trust
Technology adoption
Behavioral intention
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825003178
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