Wiley and Arizona State University’s (ASU) Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering have joined forces to pilot a new AI-powered tutor aimed at enhancing student success in online computer science labs. This innovative AI tutor, currently in its testing phase, is designed to provide students with strategic hints and guidance rather than answers, fostering a learning approach known as “productive struggle.”
Developed to support ASU students in their zyBooks coding labs, the AI tutor offers hints to help students overcome obstacles and rethink their approach when they encounter coding challenges. The intent is to encourage deeper learning and resilience by guiding students toward problem-solving skills.
The initial phase of the pilot, conducted this past summer in an introductory programming course, showed promising results, though the teams have noted areas for improvement. The AI tutor received positive feedback from both students and instructors for helping students grasp challenging concepts without simply providing solutions.
The upcoming phase of the pilot will measure the tutor's effectiveness in assisting students with completing online labs. This phase will include both control and research groups, with findings expected in late spring 2025.
Wiley’s zyBooks courseware, integral to this initiative, includes fully interactive learning tools such as animations, auto-graded activities, and zyLabs, which are embedded labs that offer hands-on coding practice in a professional-like environment. Through this partnership, Wiley and ASU aim to redefine student engagement and success in computer science education.
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