Development and Preliminary Validation of a Self-Report Scale on Generative AI Literacy in Learning Among High School Students

Online First: 20/08/2026

Authors

Corressponding author's email:

hoaqm.hcmue@gmail.com

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54644/jte.2026.2502

Keywords:

GenAI literacy, General education, Preliminary scale validation, Scale development, Self-assessment

Abstract

The use of generative AI (GenAI) in learning creates a need for assessment instruments that are appropriate to learners’ developmental characteristics, learning purposes, and educational contexts. Existing scales, however, have largely been developed for higher education or non-Vietnamese contexts, whereas high school students differ in learning autonomy, academic integrity experience, and technology-use conditions. This study develops and preliminarily validates a self-report scale assessing high school students’ GenAI literacy in learning. The scale was developed from existing AI/GenAI literacy frameworks, revised Bloom’s taxonomy, and Vietnam’s digital competence framework for learners. Survey data from 1,003 students at eight high schools in Ho Chi Minh City were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha and Exploratory Factor Analysis. The findings provide initial evidence of reliability and a multidimensional structure consisting of 23 observed items across five dimensions: Knowledge & Understanding, Use & Application, Evaluation, Create, and Ethics. The psychometric evaluation yielded a KMO value of 0.896, a significant Bartlett’s test (p < 0.05), and a total variance explained of 59.07%, while internal consistency was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.691 to 0.851 across the factors. The study proposes a contextually grounded instrument that may help schools identify students’ self-perceived GenAI literacy. Beyond its methodological contributions, this scale serves as a pivotal diagnostic tool for educational stakeholders to tailor AI integration strategies and for policymakers to refine digital literacy standards within the general education sector, while emphasizing the need for further validation through CFA, convergent and discriminant validity testing, and measurement invariance before broader use.

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Author Biographies

Diep Minh Triet Doan, University of Science, VNU-HCM, Vietnam

Diep Minh Triet Doan received his bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in 2024. Currently, he is a research-oriented postgraduate student at the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. His research focuses on STEM education, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI Generation into teaching and learning, as well as student competency assessment. He participates in systems assessments and empirical research, using quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to build theoretical frameworks, teaching models, and assessment tools in the context of modern education. His work aims to support teachers and educators in designing learning and assessment activities that meet the requirements of developing learners' competencies.

Email: 24C02023@student.hcmus.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0837-8080

Minh Hoa Quan, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

Minh Hoa Quan received his bachelor’s degree in Physics Teacher Education  and his master’s degree in Education Science from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in 2021 and 2025, respectively. Since 2025, he has been a PhD candidate in the International Graduate Program of Education and Human Development at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan. His research interests include science education, STEM education, education for sustainable development, and the integration of technology in teaching and learning. He also applies statistical analysis to investigate educational phenomena, identify factors that influence student learning, and develop assessment tools for evaluating student competencies. He has published over ten academic papers and four books in recognized national journals and publishers, and actively engages in both national and international conferences and seeks research collaborations as well as supports student research development. His long-term goal is to apply these research interests to support students as well as pre-service and in-service teachers in accessing more equitable and high-quality education.

Email: hoaqm.hcmue@gmail.com. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3152-4818

Ha Hung Chuong Nguyen, University of Science, VNU-HCM, Vietnam

Ha Hung Chuong Nguyen received his Ph.D. in Computational BioPhysics from RWTH Aachen University in 2013 and is currently a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences, University of Science, VNU-HCM. As an educational technology specialist and certified STEM trainer, his work centers on K-12 STEM education, coding, and AI in education. His recent research explores the responsible integration of Generative AI into the STEM-Engineering Design Process, utilizing the PAIR model and privacy-focused, on-device AI frameworks. Guided by his core educational philosophy of fostering self-reliance, empathy, and authenticity, his work aims to empower educators and develop students' higher-order thinking within secure, innovative learning environments.

Email: nhhchuong@hcmus.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8373-981X

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Published

20-08-2026

How to Cite

[1]
D. M. T. Doan, M. H. Quan, and H. H. C. Nguyen, “Development and Preliminary Validation of a Self-Report Scale on Generative AI Literacy in Learning Among High School Students: Online First: 20/08/2026”, JTE, Aug. 2026.