Date
Publisher
arXiv
With the rapid adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) tools, software engineering
educators have grappled with how best to incorporate them into the classroom.
While some research discusses the use of GenAI in the context of learning to
code, there is little research that explores the use of GenAI in the classroom
for other areas of software development. This paper provides an experience
report on introducing GenAI into an undergraduate software design class.
Students were required to use GenAI (in the form of ChatGPT) to help complete a
team-based assignment. The data collected consisted of the ChatGPT conversation
logs and students' reflections on using ChatGPT for the assignment.
Subsequently, qualitative analysis was undertaken on the data. Students
identified numerous ways ChatGPT helped them in their design process while
recognizing the need to critique the response before incorporating it into
their design. At the same time, we identified several key lessons for educators
in how to deploy GenAI in a software design class effectively. Based on our
experience, we believe students can benefit from using GenAI in software design
education as it helps them design and learn about the strengths and weaknesses
of GenAI.
Study at a glance
- Question: How can generative AI be used to support students in an undergraduate software design class?
- Setting and data: Undergraduate software design class; ChatGPT conversation logs and student reflections from a team-based assignment.
- Method: Qualitative analysis of student conversation logs and reflections (experience report).
Why it matters
With the rapid adoption of generative AI, software engineering educators grapple with how best to incorporate these tools into classrooms. While research examines learning to code, little explores generative AI for other areas of software development.
Key findings
- In an undergraduate software design course, students reported that ChatGPT assisted their team design process in numerous ways.
- Students recognized the necessity of critically evaluating the AI tool's responses before incorporating them into their software designs.
- Working with generative AI helped students learn about both the strengths and weaknesses of the technology.
Summary drafted with AI from the paper’s abstract and may contain errors. See the full paper for details.
What is the application?
Who is the user?
Who age?
Why use AI?
Study design
