Students' Perceptions and Use of Generative AI Tools for Programming Across Different Computing Courses
Project Overview
The document investigates the integration of generative AI (GenAI) tools in programming courses, examining students' perceptions and how these perceptions evolve over time. It reveals that students employ GenAI for a range of programming tasks, with varying levels of acceptance noted between Bachelor’s and Master’s students. The study identifies significant opportunities for GenAI to enhance learning experiences and provide support, while also raising important concerns about potential over-reliance on technology and issues related to academic integrity. By capturing a snapshot of GenAI's role in computing education, the research underscores the necessity for educators to adapt their teaching strategies to effectively incorporate these innovative tools, ensuring they complement traditional learning methods and foster a positive educational environment. Overall, the findings highlight both the benefits and challenges associated with the adoption of GenAI in educational contexts, emphasizing a balanced approach to harness its potential while maintaining academic standards.
Key Applications
Generative AI tools for programming tasks
Context: Bachelor and Master students in computing courses at Utrecht University
Implementation: Surveys conducted over three periods (fall '23, winter '23, spring '24) to gather student perceptions and use of GenAI tools in programming-related tasks
Outcomes: Increased use of GenAI for debugging, code generation, and understanding programming concepts; students' perceptions of GenAI as valuable support tools have grown.
Challenges: Concerns about over-reliance on GenAI, potential for academic misconduct, and varying acceptance of GenAI use across different course levels.
Implementation Barriers
Ethical and Academic Integrity
Concerns about students using GenAI to generate entire assignments without understanding the material, leading to academic misconduct.
Proposed Solutions: Implement clear guidelines on GenAI usage in coursework; educate students on ethical implications and encourage responsible use.
Technological Proficiency
Variability in students' programming proficiency affects their ability to effectively utilize GenAI tools.
Proposed Solutions: Provide training sessions on how to use GenAI tools effectively and integrate them into the learning process.
Project Team
Hieke Keuning
Researcher
Isaac Alpizar-Chacon
Researcher
Ioanna Lykourentzou
Researcher
Lauren Beehler
Researcher
Christian Köppe
Researcher
Imke de Jong
Researcher
Sergey Sosnovsky
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Hieke Keuning, Isaac Alpizar-Chacon, Ioanna Lykourentzou, Lauren Beehler, Christian Köppe, Imke de Jong, Sergey Sosnovsky
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