Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching

The advent of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has significantly transformed the educational landscape. While GenAI offers benefits such as convenient access to learning resources, it also introduces potential risks. This study explores the phenomenon of learning burnout among university s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaorui Dong, Zhen Wang, Shijing Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Informatics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9709/12/2/51
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849433951137955840
author Xiaorui Dong
Zhen Wang
Shijing Han
author_facet Xiaorui Dong
Zhen Wang
Shijing Han
author_sort Xiaorui Dong
collection DOAJ
description The advent of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has significantly transformed the educational landscape. While GenAI offers benefits such as convenient access to learning resources, it also introduces potential risks. This study explores the phenomenon of learning burnout among university students resulting from the misuse of GenAI in this context. A questionnaire was designed to assess five key dimensions: information overload and cognitive load, overdependence on technology, limitations of personalized learning, shifts in the role of educators, and declining motivation. Data were collected from 143 students across various majors at Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology in China. In response to the issues identified in the survey, the study proposes several teaching strategies, including cheating detection, peer learning and evaluation, and anonymous feedback mechanisms, which were tested through experimental teaching interventions. The results showed positive outcomes, with students who participated in these strategies demonstrating improved academic performance. Additionally, two rounds of surveys indicated that students’ acceptance of additional learning tasks increased over time. This research enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between GenAI and learning burnout, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers on how to effectively integrate GenAI into education while mitigating its negative impacts and fostering healthier learning environments. The dataset, including detailed survey questions and results, is available for download on GitHub.
format Article
id doaj-art-b2f6385eebd644a4be150263d0b7c063
institution Kabale University
issn 2227-9709
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Informatics
spelling doaj-art-b2f6385eebd644a4be150263d0b7c0632025-08-20T03:26:52ZengMDPI AGInformatics2227-97092025-05-011225110.3390/informatics12020051Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language TeachingXiaorui Dong0Zhen Wang1Shijing Han2School of Big Data and Basic Sciences, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying 257000, ChinaThe Office of Academic Affairs, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying 257000, ChinaSchool of Natural Resources and Surveying, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, ChinaThe advent of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has significantly transformed the educational landscape. While GenAI offers benefits such as convenient access to learning resources, it also introduces potential risks. This study explores the phenomenon of learning burnout among university students resulting from the misuse of GenAI in this context. A questionnaire was designed to assess five key dimensions: information overload and cognitive load, overdependence on technology, limitations of personalized learning, shifts in the role of educators, and declining motivation. Data were collected from 143 students across various majors at Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology in China. In response to the issues identified in the survey, the study proposes several teaching strategies, including cheating detection, peer learning and evaluation, and anonymous feedback mechanisms, which were tested through experimental teaching interventions. The results showed positive outcomes, with students who participated in these strategies demonstrating improved academic performance. Additionally, two rounds of surveys indicated that students’ acceptance of additional learning tasks increased over time. This research enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between GenAI and learning burnout, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers on how to effectively integrate GenAI into education while mitigating its negative impacts and fostering healthier learning environments. The dataset, including detailed survey questions and results, is available for download on GitHub.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9709/12/2/51generative artificial intelligencelearning burnouthigher educationteaching response strategiescognitive load
spellingShingle Xiaorui Dong
Zhen Wang
Shijing Han
Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
Informatics
generative artificial intelligence
learning burnout
higher education
teaching response strategies
cognitive load
title Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
title_full Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
title_fullStr Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
title_full_unstemmed Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
title_short Mitigating Learning Burnout Caused by Generative Artificial Intelligence Misuse in Higher Education: A Case Study in Programming Language Teaching
title_sort mitigating learning burnout caused by generative artificial intelligence misuse in higher education a case study in programming language teaching
topic generative artificial intelligence
learning burnout
higher education
teaching response strategies
cognitive load
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9709/12/2/51
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoruidong mitigatinglearningburnoutcausedbygenerativeartificialintelligencemisuseinhighereducationacasestudyinprogramminglanguageteaching
AT zhenwang mitigatinglearningburnoutcausedbygenerativeartificialintelligencemisuseinhighereducationacasestudyinprogramminglanguageteaching
AT shijinghan mitigatinglearningburnoutcausedbygenerativeartificialintelligencemisuseinhighereducationacasestudyinprogramminglanguageteaching