The Educational Advantages/Disadvantages of ChatGPT in Relation to Engineering Classes

This study focused on the integration of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI), into undergraduate education with a focus on its impact on an Embedded Systems Design Project course at a REDACTED university. Recognizing the rapid evolution of AI, ChatGPT could potentially empower students in the learning process. ChatGPT has the potential to serve as a resource for clarifying challenging concepts and brainstorming problem-solving strategies. The research questions that guided this study were: (1) What factors enable or hinder the adoption of ChatGPT in embedded systems design education contexts?, and (2) How can ChatGPT be best implemented in embedded systems design education contexts? This research employed a structured intervention that integrated pre-planned activities involving ChatGPT into the coursework, as well as allowing students to develop their own ways to use ChatGPT on assignments. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through observations, surveys, and interviews, allowing for a review of the tool's impact on student learning. Students were given the opportunity to utilize ChatGPT for assignments, provided they reflected on their choice to use ChatGPT or not. Thematic analysis of the interviews and triangulation by additional data sources revealed key moments when students were driven to utilize ChatGPT. This work offers valuable insights into the potential adoption of ChatGPT in education and practical recommendations for its effective implementation in electrical and computer engineering coursework.