Fostering pre-service teachers’ empathy through AI-enhanced MoralQ application: An experimental study

Samsul Arifin; Dwi Setiyadi; Wisnu Kurniawan; Sutri Ekawati

doi:10.32674/zjkyyp67

Authors

Samsul Arifin Universitas PGRI Madiun https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0177-7292
Dwi Setiyadi Universitas PGRI Madiun https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4622-5911
Wisnu Kurniawan Universitas Darul Ulum
Sutri Ekawati Public Elementary School 02 Dagangan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6084-9906

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/zjkyyp67

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, chatbot AI, empathy, experimental study, mobile application, MoralQ application, pre-service teachers

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of the AI-enhanced MoralQ app in improving empathy and its impacts. Using an experimental approach, 138 pre-service teachers from five Indonesian universities participated in an intervention using the MoralQ app. Data were gathered through an essay test, which the app’s AI evaluation algorithm assessed and human experts cross-checked. Paired-sample t-tests and Cohen's d analysis showed an average empathy score increase of approximately 5.44 points, with an effect size of 0.76. These results suggest that using the MoralQ app significantly boosts pre-service teachers’ moral awareness and empathy scores. Therefore, integrating the MoralQ app into pre-service teacher training programs is highly recommended for fostering empathy.

Author Biographies

Samsul Arifin, Universitas PGRI Madiun

Department of English Education, Universitas PGRI Madiun, Indonesia
Dwi Setiyadi, Universitas PGRI Madiun

Graduate School, Universitas PGRI Madiun, Indonesia
Wisnu Kurniawan, Universitas Darul Ulum

Department of Guidance and Counselling, Universitas Darul Ulum, Indonesia
Sutri Ekawati, Public Elementary School 02 Dagangan

Public Elementary School 02 Dagangan, Education Office of Madiun, Indonesia

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