Dahyun Kwon

The Impact of AI on My Learning and Work in ICS 314

15 Dec 2024
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Introduction

We are now living in the era of the AI revolution, where AI is significantly changing the traditional education system. Education has always been about guiding the next generation to understand society and passing down existing knowledge. Before AI, this learning process required people to visit designated educational institutions or seek individuals with specific expertise. However, with the emergence of AI, we are no longer restricted by time, space, or structure.

AI uses massive amounts of data to provide personalized learning experiences for individuals. For example, ChatGPT, an interactive AI tool, has quickly integrated into our daily lives and education since its release. By engaging in conversation, ChatGPT understands the context and delivers customized responses to match the user’s needs.

AI’s impact is not limited to education but also extends to software engineering. Tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot assist programmers by suggesting code, reducing repetitive tasks, and identifying potential errors or security vulnerabilities in code.

In conclusion, AI helps improve learning outcomes for students and enhances productivity and quality in software engineering. This shows how AI is making a significant contribution to improving the quality of our lives.

Personal Experience with AI

Experience WODs

For Experience WODs, I tried not to use any AI. Since I had enough time to read and think thoroughly about the problems, I focused on solving them on my own. Additionally, the provided instructional videos were clear and helpful enough to guide me through the WODs.

In-class Practice WODs

Initially, I tried to avoid using AI during in-class practice WODs. However, when I encountered errors in my code, I used GitHub Copilot for suggestions. It helped identify the source of the error and provided quick solutions.

In-class WODs

The time limit during in-class WODs made it challenging to finish without AI. At first, I avoided using AI to improve my coding efficiency. However, the time pressure frustrated me when I couldn’t finish on time. Eventually, I used ChatGPT to better understand the instructions and approach the problems more efficiently.

Essays

I think AI is a great tool for brainstorming ideas and improving essay quality. For example, I often struggle with creating titles for my essays, and ChatGPT has been very helpful in generating eye-catching titles. Additionally, discussing content ideas with ChatGPT reduces the stress and time spent figuring out how to start my essays.

Final Project

During the final project, I used both ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. They helped improve code quality and provided suggestions for improvements. However, I noticed limitations—AI tools sometimes suggested irrelevant code because they could not read the entire project’s context.

Learning a Concept or Tutorial

As English is not my first language, I often ask ChatGPT for explanations in simpler terms or in Korean. Prompts like:

These requests have been incredibly helpful for improving my understanding of complex concepts.

Asking or Answering Smart Questions

I used ChatGPT to improve the readability and tone of my smart questions. I asked it to check grammar or ensure that my tone sounded polite and professional.

Coding Example and Explanation

For example, during my team project, I implemented a star rating system for our webpage. I asked ChatGPT for help managing the state and dynamically displaying the rating. Instead of just giving me code, it explained each part of the solution step by step. This clear explanation helped me understand and confidently apply the concepts.

Documenting Code

During the final project, I used ChatGPT to write clearer and more effective comments for my code. This made the code easier for my teammates to understand and maintain.

Other Uses in ICS 314

I also used AI to get feedback on my code and improve my implementation during the final project. ChatGPT felt like a teammate I could collaborate with, giving me a sense of support.

Impact of Learning and Understanding

As mentioned in the introduction, AI has completely changed the way I learn. Before AI, I spent a lot of time searching for keywords, reading articles, and waiting to find answers. This process slowed down my learning.

With AI, learning has become faster and more efficient. Whenever I don’t understand something, AI provides clear explanations and useful information instantly. This has saved me a lot of time and improved my overall understanding.

Practical Applications

The experiences I gained from ICS 314 demonstrate the practical applications of using AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot for coding, problem-solving, and learning new concepts.

Challenges and Opportunities

While AI has greatly improved learning efficiency, it has also reduced active learning. Relying on AI too much can make learning passive and shallow. However, if I carefully analyze the answers and integrate them into my knowledge, AI can be a powerful support tool.

The challenge is to use AI wisely—not as a replacement for thinking but as a way to enhance my understanding.

Comparative Analysis and Future Considerations

Before AI, learning was slower and more manual. I had to search for information, read multiple sources, and rely on teachers or peers for help. This process was time-consuming but encouraged active problem-solving.

With AI, learning is faster and more accessible. AI provides immediate answers, explanations, and solutions, which saves time. However, this convenience sometimes leads to passive learning.

In the future, I plan to use AI as a support tool while continuing to challenge myself. I will carefully review AI-generated solutions and ensure I understand the logic behind them. This balance will help me become a better learner and a stronger developer.

Conclusion

Through this course, I realized how much AI has impacted my learning and work. Tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot improved my efficiency, helped me solve problems, and reduced stress.

However, I also learned the importance of active learning. True learning happens when I take the time to solve problems independently and think critically. In the future, I will use AI as a tool to support my learning while ensuring I fully understand the solutions it provides. By finding this balance, I hope to grow as a more skilled and thoughtful developer.