Leveraging the Intersection of AI and Play to Foster Human Connectedness and Character Formation
Saved in:
| Title: | Leveraging the Intersection of AI and Play to Foster Human Connectedness and Character Formation |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Lori B. Doyle, Ashley Brandon |
| Source: | Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership. 2026 11(2). |
| Availability: | School of Education at Gardner-Webb University. P.O. Box 7304, Bolling Springs, NC 28017. Tel: 704-406-4295; e-mail: library@gardner-webb.edu; Web site: http://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/joel/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: | Artificial Intelligence, Play, Values Education, Technology Integration, Technology Uses in Education |
| ISSN: | 2380-0860 |
| Abstract: | The benefits of fostering character formation are vast, encompassing psychological, social and emotional growth, yet there is no universally prescribed manner by which to proceed. Central to these efforts is human connectedness, which enhances psychological functioning and provides a pivotal foundation for well-being. Emerging factors such as integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the pedagogy of play are novel topics for the conversation within the character formation discourse. These elements, while tangentially related, hold significant potential to amplify character formation and sense of belonging. This paper examines the intersection of AI, pedagogy of play, and character formation through a theoretical lens. Drawing upon a theoretical foundation based on the 7 strategies of cultivating virtue and character development, Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, and Maslow's sense of belonging framework, the authors establish a multidimensional foundation for understanding this intersection. Practical approaches and future implications will be shared in support of the intersection of play and AI in the realm of character formation. The implications of this intersection are far-reaching, suggesting new pathways for educators and researchers to approach character formation in innovative and meaningful ways. By leveraging the interactive and adaptive capacities of AI alongside the creative and experiential benefits of play, these strategies offer a transformative potential to enhance human connectedness and belonging, thereby increasing psychological functioning and well-being along with positive character formation. Suggestions for future research serve to posit and extend this practical and theoretical discussion to advance the field of knowledge on character formation. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1508118 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 CustomLinks: – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1508118 Name: ERIC Full Text Category: fullText Text: Full Text from ERIC |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: eric DbLabel: ERIC An: EJ1508118 AccessLevel: 3 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Leveraging the Intersection of AI and Play to Foster Human Connectedness and Character Formation – Name: Language Label: Language Group: Lang Data: English – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lori+B%2E+Doyle%22">Lori B. Doyle</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashley+Brandon%22">Ashley Brandon</searchLink> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Organizational+and+Educational+Leadership%22"><i>Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership</i></searchLink>. 2026 11(2). – Name: Avail Label: Availability Group: Avail Data: School of Education at Gardner-Webb University. P.O. Box 7304, Bolling Springs, NC 28017. Tel: 704-406-4295; e-mail: library@gardner-webb.edu; Web site: http://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/joel/ – Name: PeerReviewed Label: Peer Reviewed Group: SrcInfo Data: Y – Name: Pages Label: Page Count Group: Src Data: 19 – Name: DatePubCY Label: Publication Date Group: Date Data: 2026 – Name: TypeDocument Label: Document Type Group: TypDoc Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Evaluative – Name: Subject Label: Descriptors Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Play%22">Play</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Values+Education%22">Values Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Integration%22">Technology Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink> – Name: ISSN Label: ISSN Group: ISSN Data: 2380-0860 – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: The benefits of fostering character formation are vast, encompassing psychological, social and emotional growth, yet there is no universally prescribed manner by which to proceed. Central to these efforts is human connectedness, which enhances psychological functioning and provides a pivotal foundation for well-being. Emerging factors such as integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the pedagogy of play are novel topics for the conversation within the character formation discourse. These elements, while tangentially related, hold significant potential to amplify character formation and sense of belonging. This paper examines the intersection of AI, pedagogy of play, and character formation through a theoretical lens. Drawing upon a theoretical foundation based on the 7 strategies of cultivating virtue and character development, Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, and Maslow's sense of belonging framework, the authors establish a multidimensional foundation for understanding this intersection. Practical approaches and future implications will be shared in support of the intersection of play and AI in the realm of character formation. The implications of this intersection are far-reaching, suggesting new pathways for educators and researchers to approach character formation in innovative and meaningful ways. By leveraging the interactive and adaptive capacities of AI alongside the creative and experiential benefits of play, these strategies offer a transformative potential to enhance human connectedness and belonging, thereby increasing psychological functioning and well-being along with positive character formation. Suggestions for future research serve to posit and extend this practical and theoretical discussion to advance the field of knowledge on character formation. – 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: EJ1508118 |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1508118 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Languages: – Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 19 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence Type: general – SubjectFull: Play Type: general – SubjectFull: Values Education Type: general – SubjectFull: Technology Integration Type: general – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Leveraging the Intersection of AI and Play to Foster Human Connectedness and Character Formation Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Lori B. Doyle – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ashley Brandon IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 01 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-electronic Value: 2380-0860 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 11 – Type: issue Value: 2 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
