Beyond the Hype: A Cautionary Tale of ChatGPT in the Programming Classroom
Project Overview
The document explores the integration of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, in programming education within Information Systems (IS) and Computer Science (CS), emphasizing its dual role as both a beneficial tool and a source of challenges. It outlines how generative AI can enhance students' coding skills and provide timely feedback, which can improve learning outcomes. However, it also raises concerns regarding academic integrity and the potential hindrance to the development of critical thinking skills, as students may overly rely on AI assistance. To address these challenges, the paper recommends designing more complex assignments that encourage students to engage deeply with the material while using AI tools responsibly. This balanced approach aims to leverage the advantages of generative AI in education while ensuring that students cultivate essential skills necessary for their academic and professional growth.
Key Applications
ChatGPT for programming tasks
Context: Undergraduate students in Information Systems and Computer Science courses
Implementation: Used ChatGPT to complete programming exercises in Python as part of coursework
Outcomes: Enhanced ability to generate code, provided immediate feedback, but raised concerns about over-reliance and lack of critical thinking
Challenges: Potential for reduced critical thinking skills, dependency on AI for coding tasks, and issues of academic integrity
Implementation Barriers
Ethical
Concerns over plagiarism and academic integrity when students use AI to complete assignments
Proposed Solutions: Design more challenging assignments that require critical thinking and discourage over-reliance on AI tools
Educational
Risk of students developing dependency on AI, undermining their programming skills and critical thinking abilities
Proposed Solutions: Implement pedagogies that promote deeper engagement with programming concepts and reduce reliance on AI for straightforward tasks
Project Team
Grant Oosterwyk
Researcher
Pitso Tsibolane
Researcher
Popyeni Kautondokwa
Researcher
Ammar Canani
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Grant Oosterwyk, Pitso Tsibolane, Popyeni Kautondokwa, Ammar Canani
Source Publication: View Original PaperLink opens in a new window
Project Contact: Dr. Jianhua Yang
LLM Model Version: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18
Analysis Provider: Openai