Employing Artificial Intelligence Tools in a Learning Environment based on Electronic Discussions and Its Effect on Developing Learning design competencies for Educational Technology Specialists

This research aimed to develop learning design competencies among educational technology specialists by employing artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a learning environment based on electronic discussion. To achieve this goal, the researcher used a developmental methodology targeting a sample of students enrolled in the special diploma in educational technology at the Faculty of Education, Damanhour University. A list of learning design competencies was developed, and the research metrics included tools designed to assess the three dimensions of competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes), including an achievement test, a product evaluation scale, and an affective scale. The intervention included interaction with a learning environment based on e-discussion integrated with AI. The results showed a positive impact of integrating AI into a e-discussion-based learning environment on developing learning design competencies among educational technology specialists, as evidenced by participants' performance across different competency dimensions. Therefore, the research recommends expanding the use of AI to enhance the competencies of educational technology specialists across various fields, and adopting electronic platforms for knowledge exchange and learning design on a large scale among both novice and experienced educational technology specialists, as well as non-specialized teachers, to enable them to design effective learning environments.