View in EDS

Graduate Attributes in the Age of AI: Suggestions for Purposeful Uses of ChatGPT in Higher Education

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Graduate Attributes in the Age of AI: Suggestions for Purposeful Uses of ChatGPT in Higher Education
Language: English
Authors: Giovanna Comerio (ORCID 0000-0002-3056-9586)
Source: International Journal of Information and Learning Technology. 2026 43(2):141-154.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Higher Education, College Students, Student Development, Student Characteristics, Self Determination, Personal Autonomy, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Citizenship, Skill Development, Definitions, Humanism
DOI: 10.1108/IJILT-11-2024-0268
ISSN: 2056-4880
Abstract: Purpose: Drawing on secondary data, this viewpoint article suggests uses of ChatGPT for purposeful teaching in higher education to develop university graduate attributes. While literature focuses on ChatGPT's role in learning activities, this article re-establishes the central role of teachers and learners by illustrating how ChatGPT supports the achievement of university graduate attributes. The overarching aim is to model students' critical use of GenAI tools, enabling them to use ChatGPT competently and ethically both during their studies and in their future professions. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a humanistic pedagogical approach informed by Self-Determination Theory, this article integrates the concepts of critical friend and internal feedback to emphasise learners' autonomous construction of knowledge. It maps such theoretical principles to ChatGPT-based activities aimed at the achievement of selected graduate attributes. Findings: Five graduate attributes are examined: autonomy, critical thinking, problem solving, professional mindset and responsible citizenship. For each attribute, definitions and learning activities/prompts are provided. The activities demonstrate how Self-Determination Theory core psychological needs -- autonomy, competence, and relatedness -- can be operationalised within a humanistic learning context through ChatGPT-supported dialogue and reflection. Originality/value: This article positions ChatGPT as a theory-informed pedagogical tool that can contribute to holistic student development when used intentionally. It shifts the pedagogical discourse away from ChatGPT's functional role to considering its potential for cultivating graduate attributes that prepare students for professional and civic life.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503035
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1503035
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Graduate Attributes in the Age of AI: Suggestions for Purposeful Uses of ChatGPT in Higher Education
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Giovanna+Comerio%22">Giovanna Comerio</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3056-9586">0000-0002-3056-9586</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Information+and+Learning+Technology%22"><i>International Journal of Information and Learning Technology</i></searchLink>. 2026 43(2):141-154.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 14
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Development%22">Student Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Characteristics%22">Student Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Determination%22">Self Determination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personal+Autonomy%22">Personal Autonomy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professionalism%22">Professionalism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Citizenship%22">Citizenship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Humanism%22">Humanism</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/IJILT-11-2024-0268
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2056-4880
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Drawing on secondary data, this viewpoint article suggests uses of ChatGPT for purposeful teaching in higher education to develop university graduate attributes. While literature focuses on ChatGPT's role in learning activities, this article re-establishes the central role of teachers and learners by illustrating how ChatGPT supports the achievement of university graduate attributes. The overarching aim is to model students' critical use of GenAI tools, enabling them to use ChatGPT competently and ethically both during their studies and in their future professions. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a humanistic pedagogical approach informed by Self-Determination Theory, this article integrates the concepts of critical friend and internal feedback to emphasise learners' autonomous construction of knowledge. It maps such theoretical principles to ChatGPT-based activities aimed at the achievement of selected graduate attributes. Findings: Five graduate attributes are examined: autonomy, critical thinking, problem solving, professional mindset and responsible citizenship. For each attribute, definitions and learning activities/prompts are provided. The activities demonstrate how Self-Determination Theory core psychological needs -- autonomy, competence, and relatedness -- can be operationalised within a humanistic learning context through ChatGPT-supported dialogue and reflection. Originality/value: This article positions ChatGPT as a theory-informed pedagogical tool that can contribute to holistic student development when used intentionally. It shifts the pedagogical discourse away from ChatGPT's functional role to considering its potential for cultivating graduate attributes that prepare students for professional and civic life.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1503035
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1503035
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/IJILT-11-2024-0268
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 141
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Determination
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personal Autonomy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professionalism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Citizenship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Definitions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Humanism
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Graduate Attributes in the Age of AI: Suggestions for Purposeful Uses of ChatGPT in Higher Education
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Giovanna Comerio
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 03
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 2056-4880
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 43
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Information and Learning Technology
              Type: main
ResultId 1