Student's Use of Generative AI as a Support Tool in an Advanced Web Development Course
Project Overview
The document examines the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) in an advanced web development course aimed at undergraduate students with substantial programming backgrounds. It highlights how students leveraged GenAI for various tasks, including code generation and brainstorming ideas, which resulted in notable enhancements in their learning experiences and productivity levels. Despite these positive outcomes, the study also identifies significant concerns regarding the potential over-reliance on GenAI tools, the risk of generating incorrect solutions, and the necessity for improved training in effective prompting strategies to maximize the benefits of these technologies. Overall, the findings indicate that while GenAI can significantly augment the educational process in programming disciplines, careful consideration and supplemental training are essential to mitigate risks and ensure that students develop crucial problem-solving skills alongside their technological proficiency.
Key Applications
Generative AI tools for coding assistance (e.g., ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot)
Context: An advanced undergraduate web development course for students in the final years of an Information Technology Management program at a university in Costa Rica.
Implementation: GenAI tools were integrated into various assignments where students were allowed to use them freely, encouraging reflection on their use and impact.
Outcomes: Students reported increased learning, productivity, and enjoyment in their tasks; they also expressed a need for better prompting skills.
Challenges: Concerns about over-reliance on GenAI tools and the risk of incorrect outputs.
Implementation Barriers
Ethical concerns
Students expressed worries about privacy issues and the potential for dependency on GenAI tools. There is a need to integrate discussions on ethical implications into the curriculum.
Proposed Solutions: Encouragement of self-monitoring and responsible use of GenAI tools, as well as integrating discussions on ethical implications into the curriculum.
Skill gaps
Students felt the need for training in effective prompting strategies to utilize GenAI tools more effectively.
Proposed Solutions: Incorporating specific training sessions on prompting and critical use of GenAI tools into the course structure.
Project Team
Isaac Alpizar-Chacon
Researcher
Hieke Keuning
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Isaac Alpizar-Chacon, Hieke Keuning
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