GenAI Coding – Learning Opportunities

According to Cornell University Center for Teaching Innovation (2023), GenAI can be employed as an assistant in various aspects of programming.

• For debugging skills in introductory modules:
  • Ask GenAI for potential pitfalls or common mistakes to avoid before starting a coding assignment.
  • Share code snippets and error messages with GenAI for guidance on identifying and fixing issues.
  • Ask GenAI to review completed code and provide suggestions for improvement.
• For specification skills in software engineering classes:
  • Ask GenAI to help break down project requirements into smaller, manageable tasks or user stories.
  • Provide GenAI with a draft of the project specification for feedback on clarity, completeness, and potential ambiguities.
  • Ask GenAI to generate sample test cases based on the specification to ensure comprehensive implementation.
• For simulation and visualization in non-programming modules:
  • Ask GenAI to help create simple simulations, such as projectile motion in physics or population growth in biology.
  • Provide GenAI with data and ask it to generate visualizations, like growth curves or interactive supply and demand curves.
• For high-level GenAI-assisted design in advanced modules:
  • Provide GenAI with a high-level description of the system architecture and ask for suggestions on design patterns or best practices.
  • Ask GenAI to create a skeleton code structure based on the design, including class definitions, method signatures, and placeholder comments.
  • Provide GenAI with a description of a specific component or algorithm and ask for pseudocode or a detailed implementation plan.

The specific ways to use GenAI will depend on individual assignments and stated learning outcomes. You should always strive to understand the concepts behind the generated code and explanations. Use GenAI as a tool to enhance learning, not replace it.

Reference: Cornell University Center for Teaching Innovation (2023) Generative Artificial Intelligence for Education and Pedagogy. Available at: https://teaching.cornell.edu/generative-artificial-intelligence (Accessed: 21 March 2023).