Digital transformation in engineering education: Exploring the potential of AI-assisted learning

Abstract

This research explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted learning using ChatGPT in an engineering course at a university in South-east Asia. The study investigated the benefits and challenges that students may encounter when utilising ChatGPT-3.5 as a learning tool. This research developed an AI-assisted learning flow that empowers learners and lecturers to integrate ChatGPT into their teaching and learning processes. The flow was subsequently used to validate and assess a variety of exercises, tutorial tasks and assessment-like questions for the course under study. Introducing a self-rating system allowed the study to facilitate users in assessing the generative responses. The findings indicate that ChatGPT has significant potential to assist students; however, there is a necessity for training and offering guidance to students on effective interactions with ChatGPT. The study contributes to the evidence of the potential of AI-assisted learning and identifies areas for future research in refining the use of AI tools to better support students' educational journey. Implications for practice or policy Educators and administrators could review the usage of ChatGPT in an engineering technology course and study the implications of generative AI tools in higher education. Academics could adapt and modify the proposed AI-assisted learning flow in this paper to suit their classroom. Students can review and adopt the proposed AI-assisted learning flow in this paper for their studies. Researchers could follow up on the application of ChatGPT in teaching and learning: teaching quality and student experience, academic integrity and assessment design.

Generative artificial intelligence in higher education learning: A review based on academic databases

“…Below, we present evidence to support the impact, time optimization, influence on creativity, and validity of ChatGPT in educational research. Research by Pham et al (2023) highlights the significant potential of ChatGPT as an effective tool to assist students in higher education. These findings are supported by the studies of Wang and colleagues (2023) as well as the work of Singh, Tayarani-Najaran, and Yaqoob (2023).…”

Large Language Models (LLMs) in Engineering Education: A Systematic Review and Suggestions for Practical Adoption

“…Digital transformation in engineering education: exploring the potential of AI-assisted learning [28] 126…”

AI in tertiary education: progress on research and practice

“…AJET welcomes good quality work in this area for publication to contribute to the wider conversation and help the tertiary education community respond to, challenge and evolve along with the technology. In this themed issue, the articles cover the use of generative AI for learning in a global context through an engineering course in South-east Asia (Pham et al, 2023), students' experiences with ChatGPT in online courses in Turkey (Kayali et al, 2023) and its use in teaching in universities in China and Vietnam (Li, 2023;Thanh et al, 2023). These studies show that generative AI can be used in productive ways in higher education settings but all raise the importance of instructors being informed participants in its use.…”