Enhancing Psychological Safety in Online Learning Environment with Generative AI
摘要
The proliferation of open and interactive communication tools such as LINE, chat applications, and Zoom has opened new possibilities for social learning in online environments. However, while these tools offer unprecedented access to information and collaboration, online learning often falls short of face-to-face learning in providing adequate psychological safety. This sense of safety, crucial for effective learning, allows individuals to feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and expressing their ideas without fear of judgment. Its absence can prevent learners from fully engaging in crucial activities such as discussion and questioning, ultimately hindering their learning potential. This study examines the requirements for improving psychological safety in online learning environments. Specifically, we explore methods to mitigate four key fears commonly experienced by learners: fear of appearing ignorant, fear of seeming incompetent, fear of being perceived negatively, and fear of being an outsider. In addition, taking advantage of the recent popularity of generative AI in education, we propose a feature designed to promote a more supportive and question-friendly online learning environment.