Implementation Patterns and Challenges of Generative AI in Elementary Education: A PRISMA-Based Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i3.8483Keywords:
elementary education, generative AI, integration, systematic literature reviewAbstract
The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education offers new opportunities for teaching and learning; however, evidence regarding its implementation and associated challenges in elementary education remains fragmented. This study aimed to identify patterns of GenAI implementation and examine the challenges affecting its integration into elementary education. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA framework. Open-access, peer-reviewed empirical articles published in English between 2020 and 2025 were identified through ScienceDirect and restricted to Scopus-indexed journals (Q1–Q4). After identification, screening, and eligibility assessment, 15 articles were included. Data on study characteristics, implementation practices, and challenges were extracted and synthesized thematically. The findings indicate that GenAI and AI-supported technologies are implemented across several educational functions, including instructional planning, personalized learning, language learning, mathematics problem-solving, assessment and feedback, and the development of computational thinking and AI literacy. Across the reviewed studies, recurring challenges included limited teacher competency and AI literacy, inadequate infrastructure, varying institutional readiness, concerns regarding content accuracy and overreliance, data privacy and academic integrity risks, and insufficient policy and ethical guidance. These findings suggest that effective GenAI integration in elementary education depends not only on technological capabilities but also on pedagogical readiness, teacher professional development, adequate infrastructure, and institutional governance. Future research should employ rigorous empirical designs to evaluate the effectiveness and conditions of GenAI implementation across diverse elementary education contexts.
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