Exploring the Use of ChatGPT in Teaching Entity-Relationship Models: Insights from a Classroom Experience

Generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, has shown great potential in enhancing computing education, including programming and software engineering. This study details an experience involving 32 students who used ChatGPT as a support tool for creating Entity-Relationship Models (ERMs). The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, students created ERMs without any assistance from ChatGPT. In the second stage, they utilized ChatGPT to aid in the model creation process. Students self-assessed their models and reported average scores of 6.91 in the first stage and 7.58 in the second stage. Additionally, students recorded their perceptions of using ChatGPT to support ERMs development. Students noted that ChatGPT sped up the ERM development process but encountered difficulties when defining relationship cardinalities.