Effect of AI-Enhanced Learning on Students’ History Achievement and Engagement

Abstract

Learning history helps students understand cultural and social developments, giving them a better view of the world. However, traditional teaching methods often do not engage students enough because they lack interactivity and real-world context. To solve this problem, this study introduces the Artifial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced History Learning App, which uses interactive maps and a History Agent to make history learning more personal and engaging. This research aims to show how technology can make history lessons more interesting and help students connect better with historical topics. The study involved 67 high school students, divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG) used the app with the History Agent, while the control group (CG) used the app without it. Both groups learned about Yogyakarta’s cultural heritage, including pre-historic, Hindu-Buddhist, Islamic, and colonial periods. Over eight weeks, students participated in classroom and outdoor activities supported by their teacher. The results showed that the EG had better learning outcomes, including improved understanding, thinking skills, and engagement. A closer look revealed that using interactive features like the History Agent was linked to better learning progress. Students also said the app was easy to use and made history more interesting. These findings suggest that AI tools can improve history lessons by making them more interactive and tailored to students’ needs. This study offers practical ideas for teachers and proves how AI can help make history education more engaging and effective for students.