Enhancing Student Learning with GenAI in Computer Science

As a faculty member in the College of Computing and Informatics, I’ve always believed in the power of innovative tools to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.

One of the most impactful tools I’ve integrated into my teaching is Generative AI (GenAI). From organizing course topics to providing students with limitless practice opportunities, GenAI has revolutionized how I teach and how my students learn.

Before incorporating GenAI, I relied on a few key examples in class to demonstrate the significance of complex concepts in Computer Science. These examples were valuable, but they only scratched the surface. With the help of GenAI, I now have an abundance of examples at my fingertips.

I can generate diverse scenarios that highlight different aspects of a concept, giving students a clearer understanding of how the material applies in real-world situations. This has not only enhanced my lectures but also provided a deeper, more nuanced approach to teaching that I couldn’t have achieved with traditional resources alone.

One of the most powerful ways GenAI has impacted student learning is by empowering my students to use the tool themselves.

In the past, their textbooks might have offered a handful of examples for practice, which limited their ability to explore topics further on their own. Now, with GenAI, they can instantly generate as many examples as they need. If they’re struggling to grasp a particular concept, they can prompt the AI to create variations of that topic or ask it to explain the material in different ways. It’s like having a study buddy available 24/7, ready to assist them with personalized explanations and more practice problems.

But it’s not just about the quantity of examples. The real benefit comes from the flexibility GenAI offers.

Students can engage with the material in ways that go beyond what’s covered in class. They can prompt the AI to generate detailed conversations around a concept, exploring it from different perspectives or breaking it down into simpler terms.

This allows them to understand complex topics at their own pace and in a way that suits their individual learning styles. Whether they’re revisiting a concept they didn’t fully grasp during class or exploring new areas of interest, GenAI is helping them bridge gaps in their understanding.

Moreover, students are learning valuable skills in the process. They’re becoming proficient in prompt engineering, learning how to ask the right questions and frame their inquiries to get high-quality, relevant content from GenAI. This skill is particularly important as we move further into an era dominated by AI.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this shift is the improvement in student support.

With GenAI, students no longer have to wait until office hours. They can get immediate help outside of class time, leading to a deeper understanding of course material and greater overall success. For many students, this has been a game-changer, offering a level of support and accessibility that traditional methods couldn’t provide.

As we continue to embrace the potential of GenAI, I’m excited about the possibilities for further enhancing teaching and learning. While some may be hesitant to fully adopt AI in education, I believe that by leveraging these tools wisely, we can make significant strides in improving student outcomes. In my own classroom, the integration of GenAI has already proven to be a powerful tool for both teaching and learning. As educators, it’s up to us to embrace this change and ensure that we’re using AI to its fullest potential to support our students’ success.