TEACHERS’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF GENERATIVE AI TOOLS IN BASIC EDUCATION IN OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

Abstract

The study investigated teachers’ awareness and utilization ofGenerative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools in basic education within Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, Nigeria. With the global rise in educational applications of Gen-AI, such as ChatGPT, Canva AI, and Microsoft Copilot, there is a growing need to assess how these technologies are understood and used in local teaching contexts. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A stratified random sample of 120 teachers from public and private basic schools participated in the study. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed a moderate level of awareness of Gen-AI tools among teachers (Grand Mean = 2.87, SD = 0.81), with ChatGPT recording the highest level of awareness (Mean = 3.12, SD = 0.74). However, teachers' utilization of Gen-AI tools in instructional practices was low (Grand Mean = 2.21, SD = 0.78). The major factors influencing awareness and utilization included teachers' ICT knowledge (Mean = 3.21), availability of internet and computers (Mean = 3.04), administrative support (Mean = 3.16), training and workshops (Mean = 3.26), and teachers' positive attitude toward technology (Mean = 3.19). A significant positive relationship was found between teachers' awareness and utilization of Gen-AI tools (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference existed between urban and rural teachers in the utilization of Gen-AI tools (t = 3.41, p = 0.001), with urban teachers (Mean = 2.48, SD = 0.69) reporting higher utilization than rural teachers (Mean = 1.94, SD = 0.71). The study concludes that while some teachers are aware of Gen-AI, poor teachers’ ICT knowledge and infrastructural challenges hinder effective usage. It recommends teachers’ training and improved in digital infrastructure, to create teachers’ awareness and utilization of Gen-AI tools in basic education in Otukpo LGA.