Abstract
In higher education, fostering a sense of belonging is critical to student success, influencing academic performance, retention, and overall well-being. However, creating this sense of belonging can be challenging, especially in online and hybrid learning environments with limited in-person interactions. This paper explores the role of AI course assistants as a scalable, personalized solution to address this challenge. By providing responsive, 24/7 support, AI tools can help bridge the gap between students, instructors, and their peers, enhancing engagement, encouragement, and support. Drawing on data from Los Angeles Pacific University’s (LAPU) implementation of Spark, an AI course assistant, we present findings highlighting how AI can play a vital role in supporting students who report lower levels of connection within their courses. Our analysis reveals that students who utilized the AI assistant earned higher GPAs than those who did not, and AI significantly benefited those who initially felt less encouraged, engaged, and supported. These findings suggest that AI course assistants can foster a greater sense of belonging, particularly for students at risk of disengagement.
Keywords: AI course assistants, AI and belonging, belonging, higher education
How to Cite:
Ho, Y., Hanshaw, G., Wilday, M. & Dawson, C., (2025) “AI is Part of the Belonging Ecosystem”, Teaching and Learning Conference Proceedings 1(1).
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