Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for heutagogical learning in comparison to web crawler search engines and standard textbooks

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for heutagogical learning in comparison to web crawler search engines and standard textbooks

Research question: Is Perplexity AI a better tool for heutagogical learning of Physiology topics by phase I MBBS students in comparison to Google search engine and standard textbooks? Hypothesis: Null hypothesis: Perplexity AI is not a better tool for heutagogical learning of Physiology topics by Phase I MBBS students compared to the Google search engine and standard textbooks. Alternate hypothesis: Perplexity AI is a better tool for heutagogical learning of Physiology topics by Phase I MBBS students compared to the Google search engine and standard textbooks.

Lifelong learning is one of the roles defined for an Indian medical graduate under CBME. The medical students can be prepared for this role during their course through heutagogical or self-directed learning sessions. Despite the potential of Generative AI tools like Perplexity AI to enhance self-directed learning in medical education, there is little research comparing its effectiveness to conventional resources like textbooks and web search tools. This educational project will help to shed light on the usefulness of Generative AI in medical education especially in the implementation of self-directed learning sessions.