ENHANCING STUDENT MESSAGE CONSTRUCTION QUALITY WITH AI SUPPORT IN ONLINE DISCUSSION IN UNIVERSITAS TERBUKA

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the quality of student message construction in online discussion forums at Universitas Terbuka, with a specific focus on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a thinking partner rather than a mere technical tool. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, data were collected from contributions in online forums of the Sociology of Communication course. The analysis highlights that students who demonstrate a deeper understanding of the material tend to formulate more contextual and purposeful AI prompts, resulting in responses that enrich academic discussions. Conversely, generic use of AI without critical engagement often leads to superficial and less meaningful messages. Findings indicate that AI can serve as a reflective partner that facilitates critical thinking and enhances academic communication, provided that students engage with it actively and thoughtfully. The study underscores the importance of designing digital learning environments that integrate AI as a facilitator of dialogic and reflective learning, rather than as a substitute for human reasoning. The implications of this study contribute to the theoretical discourse on AI integration in distance learning and offer practical recommendations for developing more inclusive and effective online discussion strategies.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, distance education, online discussion forum, message construction, critical thinking