AN EXAMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF AI-BASED ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF STEAM EDUCATION IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study examined the influence of AI-based assessment tools for effective implementation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education in private secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study was conducted across private secondary schools in Rivers State, which includes diverse educational zones and both urban and rural learning environments. The population consisted of 3,280 STEAM subject teachers and 7,220 Senior Secondary School II (SS II) students offering STEAM subjects. Simple random sampling was used to select schools from the local government areas, while stratified sampling was used to select respondents within the chosen schools. A total of 192 respondents comprising 62 teachers and 130 students participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Examination of AI-Based Assessment Tools for Effective Implementation of STEAM Education (EABATEISTEAME). Validation was conducted by experts in Educational Technology and Measurement and Evaluation, while reliability testing using Cronbach’s Alpha produced a coefficient of 0.86, indicating good internal consistency. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while independent samples t-test tested hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. Conclusively, AI-based assessment tools contribute significantly to improving feedback, evaluation efficiency, and interdisciplinary learning within STEAM education in private secondary schools, Rivers State. It was recommended that educational authorities should encourage the adoption and training of teachers in the use of AI-based assessment tools to strengthen the effective implementation of STEAM education in private secondary schools.