Using curated chatbots to support students' exploration and awareness of sustainability and essay writing

Abstract

In the context of a written essay assignment in first-year, general chemistry that combines chemistry content knowledge and sustainability, student use of a curated chatbot support resource has been analyzed. The chatbot allows the student to engage exploration of several potential components of the assignment including technical requirements, chemistry content and sustainability contexts. Analysis of both chatbot interactions and student essays found a proensity for students to be guided in their exploration of the UN Sustainable Debelopment Goals by the chemical context of the assignment and some, but not all, students gained a level of understanding that supported a sustainability action perspective.