This study explores the potential of ChatGPT as a virtual tutor to facilitate self-directed learning (SDL) among adult learners in asynchronous online contexts. Although SDL has been identified as a critical skill, factors such as the lack of skills to find resources and the absence of a supportive learning environment could impede adult learners’ ability to engage in SDL. By harnessing the power of AI, ChatGPT can assist adult learners in setting learning goals, locating available resources, designing personalized learning plans, monitoring their performance, and reflecting on their learning experiences, ultimately leading to the effective completion of SDL. This study also discusses several existing limitations and challenges, including the need for instructors to provide guidance on creating prompts to use ChatGPT effectively, the possibility of learners becoming reliant on ChatGPT, the significance of institutions to provide policies of proper use of ChatGPT, and the necessary for AI developers to continuously improve the algorithms and data used by the system to minimize the likelihood of providing incorrect and irrelevant information. Additionally, some questions are raised regarding the balance between the use of ChatGPT and engagement with human instructors to ensure optimal learning outcomes. This study aims to enlighten adult educators and practitioners towards the integration of ChatGPT in asynchronous online learning to facilitate adult learning.

This study explored the impact of integrating ChatGPT into asynchronous online discussions. The analysis encompassed students’ log data from Canvas and their perspectives on using ChatGPT. Results revealed a significant enhancement in overall discussion participation when ChatGPT is encouraged, emphasizing its potential as a catalyst for constructive conversations and the development of generic skills. Students also acknowledge ChatGPT’s positive influence on critical thinking and knowledge exploration. In summary, integrating ChatGPT not only enhances participation and engagement but also fosters a sense of community, promotes online interaction, and cultivates essential skills. This study concluded by discussing issues associated with using ChatGPT for online discussions and highlighting implications for its appropriate integration into online discussion boards.

This exploratory quantitative study investigates the relationship between online learning readiness (OLR) and self-regulated learning (SRL), precisely the effect of OLR on SRL in an online learning context among 262 Chinese college students taking fully online courses. Results indicate that students’ OLR positively influences SRL. Specifically, communication competencies play the most significant role in affecting students’ online SRL, followed by technical and social competencies. Furthermore, Chinese college students with higher communication and technical competencies better manage their study time and self-evaluate their online learning. Likewise, students who are more capable of engaging in meaningful interactions with their instructor and peers are more likely to self-assess their learning. This exploratory study provides an overview of the correlation between OLR and SRL. It highlights the necessity of preparing college students in China, where face-to-face instruction was predominately used before the COVID-19 pandemic, to succeed in online learning.

This quantitative study investigates the impact of four types of discussion activities on adult learners’ asynchronous online interactions. Specifically, this study aims to understand how different discussion activities incorporated into online discussion boards motivate adult learners’ online participation. The four discussion activities are video-based text discussion, student-generated problem-based case discussion, self-created meme discussion, and discussion through debate. Results show that all four discussion activities, to a great extent, help motivate adult learners to actively interact with learning content, the instructor, and peers in different ways. Significantly, our study shows that participants identified student-generated problem-based case discussion as the most effective and that the debate was the least effective among the four discussion activities. Results also indicate that the instructor plays a significant role in the design, instruction, and follow-up of discussion activities. This study provides insights into using multiple discussion activities in fully asynchronous online environments for adult learners’ active learning.