Developing Ai Chatbots To Enhance Student Learning Experiences In Online Courses

Online learning has grown rapidly. However, reduced face-to-face interaction can lead to psychological and communication gaps between learners and instructors, known as transactional distance (Moore, 1997). The recent development of AI-powered chatbots presents an opportunity to study how they may bridge these gaps. This article describes Phase 1 of a multi-phase study on the implementation and assessment of AI chatbots in online graduate courses. It offers instructional designers and faculty who design and teach online courses, a detailed, step-by-step guide for selecting, training, and implementing AI chatbots in their courses. Phase 2 will analyze students' perceptions of AI chatbots' effectiveness and their role in satisfaction and reducing transactional distance.