What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the relationship between learning-oriented generative AI use and student agency in higher education, assessing self-directed learning as a mediator and assessment climate as a moderator.

September 18, 2026Cogent EducationOpen Access

Learning-oriented generative AI use and student agency in Chinese higher education: the roles of self-directed learning and assessment climate

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Authors

ZZZeyu ZhangXinjiang Normal University XLXiaomei LuSir Ganga Ram Hospital MKMahpiret KanjiXinjiang Normal University

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals learning-oriented generative AI use enhances student agency in university students, indicating that self-directed learning and supportive assessments optimize AI...

Key Points

To examine the relationship between learning-oriented generative AI use and student agency in higher education, assessing self-directed learning as a mediator and assessment climate as a moderator.
Cross-sectional survey administered to 742 undergraduates across six Chinese universities.
Evaluated construct distinctiveness and structural relationships using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.
Learning-oriented generative AI use correlated positively with both self-directed learning and student agency.
Self-directed learning partially mediated the positive association between generative AI use and student agency.
Assessment climate significantly moderated the link between AI use and agency, producing stronger positive associations when assessments emphasized constructive feedback, reflection, and improvement.

Cite This Study

Zhang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aad0aaede0393d728b89016 https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2026.2728451

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals learning-oriented generative AI use enhances student agency in university students, indicating that self-directed learning and supportive assessments optimize AI...

Learning-oriented generative AI use and student agency in Chinese higher education: the roles of self-directed learning and assessment climate

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Learning-oriented generative AI use and student agency in Chinese higher education: the roles of self-directed learning and assessment climate

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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