Date
Publisher
arXiv
Help-seeking is a critical aspect of learning and problem-solving for computing students. Recent research has shown that many students are aware of generative AI (GenAI) tools; however, there are gaps in the extent and effectiveness of how students use them. With over two years of widespread GenAI usage, it is crucial to understand whether students' help-seeking behaviors with these tools have evolved and how. This paper presents findings from a repeated cross-sectional survey conducted among computing students across North American universities (n=95). Our results indicate shifts in GenAI usage patterns. In 2023, 34.1% of students (n=47) reported never using ChatGPT for help, ranking it fourth after online searches, peer support, and class forums. By 2024, this figure dropped sharply to 6.3% (n=48), with ChatGPT nearly matching online search as the most commonly used help resource. Despite this growing prevalence, there has been a decline in students' hourly and daily usage of GenAI tools, which may be attributed to a common tendency to underestimate usage frequency. These findings offer new insights into the evolving role of GenAI in computing education, highlighting its increasing acceptance and solidifying its position as a key help resource.
Study at a glance
- Question: How have computing students' help-seeking behaviors with generative AI tools changed over time?
- Setting and data: Computing students across North American universities in 2023 and 2024, totaling 95 students (47 in 2023, 48 in 2024).
- Method: Survey administered at two points in time (repeated cross-sectional survey).
Why it matters
Help-seeking is critical for computing students, yet gaps remain around the extent and effectiveness of their generative AI use. With widespread usage, it is crucial to understand whether and how students' help-seeking behaviors with these tools have evolved.
Key findings
- Across North American universities (n=95), computing students reporting never using ChatGPT for help dropped sharply from 34.1% in 2023 to 6.3% in 2024.
- By 2024, ChatGPT rose from fourth place to nearly match online search as computing students' most commonly used help resource.
- Students reported a decline in hourly and daily generative AI use, which may stem from a tendency to underestimate their usage frequency.
Summary drafted with AI from the paper’s abstract and may contain errors. See the full paper for details.
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