Examining the Substitutability of Tutors and Internet Searches in ChatGPT-Assisted Programming Exercise Classes

Abstract

This study reports on the results of using ChatGPT among university students in a programming practice class from May 23 to July 4, 2023. The class utilizes the flipped classroom model for second- and third-year university students in which the students undertake a brief course JavaScript, take notes on an online textbook prior to each class (extracurricular time), take a quiz at the beginning of the class, and work on exercises. Responses were obtained from 100 students. The results indicated that ChatGPT can replace Internet searches as a source of information for exercises in programming practice classes. Although entirely replacing the support of teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) is difficult, the findings confirmed that ChatGPT is sufficiently beneficial for tracing the causes of errors in one’s program code and for providing assistance in the absence of teachers and TAs.