Revue Des Sciences Humaines
Volume 37, Numéro 2, Pages 239-252
2026-06-30
When Assistance Is A Shortcut: Chatgpt As Cognitive Scaffolding And The Risk Of Critical Thinking Dependency In Higher Education
Authors : Talbi Khaled .
Abstract
Generative AI has brought in a new age of tech which has seen wide scale adoption among students as an unlimited information source. In this study, we look at how tertiary students at both the French and English departments at Batna 2 University, Algeria are using ChatGPT in their academic growth, and at how this tool plays the role of cognitive scaffolding as well as its effect on critical thinking. Moreover, we put forth that ChatGPT facilitates a better comprehension and task achievement, but we also consider that regular use may, in fact, reduce critical thinking skills. This research applies a descriptive mixed-methods approach, using questionnaires and interviews administered to tertiary students so as to obtain both usage patterns and detailed perceptions. The results indicate that students appreciate the scaffolding effects of ChatGPT, mainly because of the unlimited access to information and data, beside the ability to explain difficult material, and the reduction of effort needed for academic tasks. However, there are expressed concerns about its possible detrimental effects on critical thinking. This study comes to the conclusion that ChatGPT can be a positive enhancing factor in the learning experience if it is integrated into a pedagogically informed approach, without compromising the acquisition of higher-order cognitive skills in higher education institutions.
Keywords
cognitive scaffolding ; critical thinking ; higher education ; tertiary students ; mixed-methods research
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