Integrating Conversational Large Language Models into Student Learning: A Case Study of ChatGPT in Software Engineering Education

This innovative practice full paper describes a pilot study exploring the integration of ChatGPT, a Conversational Large Language Model (LLM), into the student learning process in software engineering education, which emphasizes principles and methodologies in software development. Focused on a software engineering class, the study examines ChatGPT as a tool for problem clarification, modeling assistance, system design feedback, and implementation support in a project on modeling, designing, and implementing a solution using finite state processes and concurrent programming in Java. A survey designed for the case study collects insights into students' experiences with ChatGPT at different stages of the project. Student feedback on using ChatGPT and their performance on the project are analyzed to understand the impact of conversational LLMs on learning outcomes and to address whether there is room for improvement in enhancing the use of conversational LLMs in software engineering education.