Capstone Project:
Master of Science – Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology
Western Governors University, 2025
AI Chatbot Integration within an Academic Integrity Learning Module
This design-based research project investigated how an AI chatbot could be integrated into an academic integrity learning module to support adolescent learners in a supplemental education program. The study focused on homeschool students aged 12–16, many of whom had limited prior exposure to academic integrity expectations in formal academic settings.
I designed the module in Articulate Storyline, incorporating gamified formative and summative assessments to encourage engagement and reinforce learning. A custom-built AI chatbot, Ouli, was developed in Botpress to serve as a learning partner, providing memory prompts, opportunities for reflection, and clarification of key concepts.
After completing the asynchronous module, participants responded to a post-module questionnaire that combined quantitative and qualitative items to explore two guiding questions:
- How does chatbot integration affect learners’ perceptions of cognitive load?
- How do learners describe their experience with the chatbot in this context?
Findings showed that students enjoyed the interactive games and valued the chatbot’s availability for support, though experiences with cognitive load varied. While some students found Ouli enhanced understanding and engagement, others encountered technical challenges that affected their workflow.
This project demonstrates the potential for AI to act as a supportive learning companion in self-paced modules, enhancing learner engagement and scaffolding understanding. It also informs future design of AI-supported e-learning tools for secondary learners by highlighting the importance of technical reliability, clear onboarding, and learner autonomy.
Full project details, data, and design artifacts available upon request.
Kimberly Jones | Teaching, Learning, and Instructional Design 