Trends in artificial intelligence-supported e-learning: a systematic review and co-citation network analysis (1998-2019)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely explored across the world over the past decades. A particularly emerging topic is the application of AI in e-learning (AIeL) to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning in precision education. This study aims to systematically review publication patterns for AIeL research with a focus on leading journals, countries, disciplines, and applications. In addition, a co-citation network analysis was conducted to explore the invisible relationships among the core papers of AIeL to reveal directions for future research. The analysis is based on a total of 86 core AIeL papers accompanied by 1149 citations in follow-up studies obtained from the Web of Science. It was found that a majority of AIeL studies focused on the development and applications of intelligent tutoring systems, followed by using AI to facilitate assessment and evaluation in e-learning contexts. For field researchers, the visualized network diagram serves as a map to explore the invisible relationships among the core AIeL research, providing a structural understanding of AI-supported research in e-learning contexts. A further investigation of the follow-up studies behind the highly co-cited links revealed the extended research directions from the AIeL mainstreams, such as adaptive learning-based evaluation environments. Implications are discussed.

Automated summary

This study reviews the application of artificial intelligence in e-learning and analyzes publication patterns, research focuses, and research directions. The majority of studies in this field are centered around the development and application of intelligent tutoring systems, as well as using AI to enhance assessment and evaluation in e-learning contexts. The visualized network diagram provides researchers with a better understanding of the relationships among core research papers and suggests future research directions.