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Integrating Artificial Intelligence in the Teaching and Learning of Christian Religious Studies: Opportunities and Challenges

Umeh, Chinwe Blessing PhD, Aaron Haruna Ezekiel

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Christian Religious Studies : its opportunities and challenges in enhancing teaching and learning within faith-based institutions. CRS plays a vital role in nurturing spiritual, moral, and intellectual development, while AI presents innovative tools that can transform instructional practices. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and data were collected from 40 participants’ comprising of lecturers and students at the Federal University of Education, Zaria. The findings revealed that AI significantly improves teaching and learning outcomes by fostering personalized instruction, interactive engagement, efficient assessment, and global collaboration. The results (grand mean = 3.66) indicate that both lecturers and students agree that AI enhances accessibility and instructional quality in CRS. However, the study also identified considerable ethical and theological challenges (grand mean = 3.48), such as data privacy concerns, depersonalization of faith instruction, and potential doctrinal distortions. Inferential statistics showed a statistically significant relationship between AI integration and these challenges (t = 13.285, p < 0.000). Guided by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge theory. The study concludes that effective AI integration in CRS requires balancing technological innovation with theological authenticity and ethical responsibility. The study therefore recommends that Christian educators should adopt AI strategically to complement human mentorship and that faith-based institutions establish ethical guidelines to govern AI use.

Keywords

Artificial IntelligenceChristian Religious StudiesTheological ChallengesTeaching and LearningEthical Integration and Faith-Based Education

References

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