Abstract:

There are countless possible areas of education where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be applied. Since the introduction of Large Language Modules (LLM), every professional field, not withholding education, became an area of their application. The LLM based tools will eventually become a part of every respective curriculum. This paper covers an introduction of one of such tools, “Microsoft/GitHub Copilot” as the main driving tool in a new introductory Python class, “Introduction to Python with GitHub Copilot”. The paper describes the class’s structure, specifically, as it is related to the use of Copilot AI. It demonstrates how the usage of GitHub Copilot can guide the students to learn basic Python syntax, concepts of functions, objects, etc. It also shows how prompt engineering skills and Python programming skills can be built on each other, creating a synergistic effect and thus accelerating development of both skills. Two classes, traditional and AI enabled, were run in parallel with the same set of assessments. The standard t-tests were used to show statistical significance of the results, that learning outcomes are by about 8% better for the AI enabled class, and that about 75% of the students prefer AI enabled class over traditional.

Keywords:

LLM, Python, AI enabled class, Microsoft/GitHub Copilot.