Researchers Harness Artificial Intelligence to Improve Education

Although there are concerns about the implementation of artificial intelligence, researchers at Universidad del Valle (Univalle) are already using it to improve the education of the next generation of systems and computer engineering professionals.

The artificial intelligence market was valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2022, with a valuation of around USD 23.82 billion by the end of 2030, according to a market report. 

Giovanny Hidalgo, PhD student at the Univalle Group in Artificial Intelligence (GUIA) explained that the group has developed INGInious M-IDEA, a platform or "learning environment" that allows the evaluation of source code and integrates computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and artificial intelligence (AI).

"Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning is a pedagogical methodology and here in Colombia we are pioneers," Hidalgo said.

Image: Screenshot of the INGInious M-IDEA platform. Credit: EISC/Univalle

The Research

CSCL is a relatively new field where collaboration is integrated into learning and artificial intelligence works to improve the teaching process. 
Students from the School of Systems and Computer Engineering (EISC for its initials in Spanish) of the Faculty of Engineering use the INGInious M-IDEA platform and it could soon be available to the whole engineering department. 
Hidalgo commented that one of the functions of the platform is to group peers so that strengths and weaknesses are balanced and better learning outcomes are achieved.
"From AI, students have a better way to work collaboratively and have a better way to work," Hidalgo said. 
José Miguel Llanos Mosquera, a collaborator in the project, a PhD student in Engineering with emphasis in Computer Science at the Faculty of Engineering of Universidad del Valle, clarified that with AI, researchers can develop predictive models that allow them to identify and solve specific problems in any area.
According to Llanos, AI is used specifically to predict the academic performance of students during the development of the course, in this way early interventions are made to reduce the dropout rate in programming courses. 
"Educating future systems engineers using this area of knowledge, allows to generate the skills, capabilities and knowledge necessary to adapt to the technological environment that is currently in constant change, solve complex problems and lead innovation in different fields of the productive sectors," Llanos said. 
Although there are concerns in the public about AI replacing workers, researchers say the technology can help in improving student training.
"When the calculator came out, we thought we were going to lose the work of statisticians, but they adapted the tool to handle more complicated tasks," Hidalgo said, adding that in the same way, computer programmers will still be needed, even though we now have AI tools such as ChatGPT.
"In this project, the use of Artificial Intelligence has improved the learning of programming and in turn the learning experience, as students have had a positive reaction to the tool," Llanos said.

Read more from Univalle’s school of Computer and Systems Engineering: Why do Mexicans appear to have a better knowledge of human-computer interaction than Colombians?

Photo: INGInious M-IDEA work team. Credit: Giovanny Hidalgo

The Future

Manuel Madrid Torres, a student in the Systems Engineering program, explained that the platform has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, allowing a fluid and friendly interaction between students and the platform.

"INGInious has great potential to train the next generation of systems and computing professionals and when AI supports the learning process, students can get immediate feedback, which accelerates their learning," Madrid said. 

Madrid commented that one of INGInious' main challenges is to stay updated and adapted to constantly evolving educational needs and advances.

Today, the research team continues to improve the platform.

"We are running ahead: the benefits we can get are more security from new products that are more versatile and creating new methods," Hidalgo said .

If you are interested in contacting the researcher or learning more about the project, please write to the Communications Office, Faculty of Engineering: comunicaingenieria(at)correounivalle.edu.co.

Cover photo: INGInious M-IDEA work team. Credit: Giovanny Hidalgo