Development of artificial intelligence education program based on visualizing public data for cultivating knowledge-information processing and creative thinking competencies

Objectives The purposes of this study are to develop an artificial intelligence utilization education program based on visualizing public data and using it for problem solving to cultivate knowledge-information processing and creative thinking competencies for middle school students, and to analyze its effectiveness in cultivating each of these competencies. Methods This study was conducted applying PDIE model of which stages contain preparation, development, implementation, and evaluation. and developed an eight-session education program for middle school students to visualize public data to find problems, explore ideas to solve them, and realize their ideas through making model using artificial intelligence. In this study, two classes of third grade middle school students were organized as a single group after convenience sampling to conduct pre- and post-tests. The collected data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests, and after among the open-ended responses, the education program was modified and supplied and supplemented. Results As a result of applying the education program of this study to a middle school, a substantial enhancement was found in both knowledge-information processing and creative thinking competencies, and learning satisfaction was at a good level. Conclusions It is significant that the artificial intelligence utilization education program based on visualizing public data is closely related to learners' lives, and the program has proven effective in cultivating knowledge-information processing and creative thinking capabilities of middle school students by applying the education program into the technological problem-solving process based on competency of the subject matter of technology.