PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System
This paper presents strategies for effectively integrating AI tools into programming education and provides recommendations for enhancing student learning outcomes through intelligent educational systems. Learning computer programming is a cognitively demanding task that requires dedication, logical...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Computers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/5/158 |
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| author | Manal Alanazi Ben Soh Halima Samra Alice Li |
| author_facet | Manal Alanazi Ben Soh Halima Samra Alice Li |
| author_sort | Manal Alanazi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents strategies for effectively integrating AI tools into programming education and provides recommendations for enhancing student learning outcomes through intelligent educational systems. Learning computer programming is a cognitively demanding task that requires dedication, logical reasoning, and persistence. Many beginners struggle with debugging and often lack effective problem-solving strategies. To address these issues, this study investigates PyChatAI—a bilingual, AI-powered chatbot designed to support novice Python programmers by providing real-time feedback, answering coding-related questions, and fostering independent problem-solving skills. PyChatAI offers continuous, personalised assistance and is particularly beneficial for students who prefer remote or low-pressure learning environments. An empirical evaluation employing a Solomon Four-Group design revealed significant improvements across all programming skill areas, with especially strong gains in theoretical understanding, code writing, and debugging proficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ede184e1096b44e4bfe953c864733b39 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-431X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computers |
| spelling | doaj-art-ede184e1096b44e4bfe953c864733b392025-08-20T02:33:42ZengMDPI AGComputers2073-431X2025-04-0114515810.3390/computers14050158PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning SystemManal Alanazi0Ben Soh1Halima Samra2Alice Li3Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, AustraliaDepartment of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, AustraliaComputer Science & Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi ArabiaLa Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, AustraliaThis paper presents strategies for effectively integrating AI tools into programming education and provides recommendations for enhancing student learning outcomes through intelligent educational systems. Learning computer programming is a cognitively demanding task that requires dedication, logical reasoning, and persistence. Many beginners struggle with debugging and often lack effective problem-solving strategies. To address these issues, this study investigates PyChatAI—a bilingual, AI-powered chatbot designed to support novice Python programmers by providing real-time feedback, answering coding-related questions, and fostering independent problem-solving skills. PyChatAI offers continuous, personalised assistance and is particularly beneficial for students who prefer remote or low-pressure learning environments. An empirical evaluation employing a Solomon Four-Group design revealed significant improvements across all programming skill areas, with especially strong gains in theoretical understanding, code writing, and debugging proficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/5/158artificial intelligenceChatGPTnatural language processing (NLP)OpenAI APIPython programmingcomputer programming |
| spellingShingle | Manal Alanazi Ben Soh Halima Samra Alice Li PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System Computers artificial intelligence ChatGPT natural language processing (NLP) OpenAI API Python programming computer programming |
| title | PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System |
| title_full | PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System |
| title_fullStr | PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System |
| title_full_unstemmed | PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System |
| title_short | PyChatAI: Enhancing Python Programming Skills—An Empirical Study of a Smart Learning System |
| title_sort | pychatai enhancing python programming skills an empirical study of a smart learning system |
| topic | artificial intelligence ChatGPT natural language processing (NLP) OpenAI API Python programming computer programming |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/5/158 |
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