Research Summary: SMOKEChem: developing and piloting a digital learning environment integrating AI-based and peer feedback for socio-scientific argumentation

A study introduces and evaluates SMOKEChem, a digital learning environment designed to enhance scientific argumentation skills in secondary school chemistry lessons. This platform integrates artificial intelligence (AI)-based feedback with peer feedback mechanisms to support students in constructing arguments related to socio-scientific issues. The pilot evaluation involved 130 secondary school students, employing a mixed-methods approach to assess their perceptions of this hybrid learning environment.

Why it matters

This initiative represents a significant step in leveraging emerging technologies, specifically AI, to address fundamental challenges in education. It explores adaptive feedback mechanisms that could improve learning outcomes and critical thinking skills, potentially informing future pedagogical strategies and technology integration across various educational domains.

Key insights

• The SMOKEChem project developed a web-based learning environment for fostering scientific argumentation.
• The environment integrates AI-supported feedback with collaborative peer feedback processes.
• The primary goal is to address challenges in promoting scientific argumentation within socio-scientific issues in science education.
• A pilot evaluation was conducted with 130 secondary school students in regular chemistry lessons.
• The study employed an exploratory mixed-methods design to investigate learner perceptions of the hybrid feedback approach.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1952302