Chatbots in Educational Settings: A Comprehensive Literature Review

The application of chatbots based on generative artificial intelligence in education is increasingly widespread. But their effectiveness remains controversial and systematic research is scarce. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 25 empirical studies (2021–2025) to address three key questions: (1) What are the key application scenarios of chatbots in the field of education? (2) What are the key functional roles do chatbots in the field of education play? (3) How do chatbots in education affect students’ learning? The study found that educational chatbots can be divided into three categories: knowledge coordinators, emotional coordinators, and learning process coordinators. These chatbots influence students in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. This study provides a structured understanding of chatbot applications in education, offering insights for future research and practice.