Construction and Application Effectiveness of a Project-Based Learning Model Based on Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), with its powerful text generation capabilities, has shown significant potential in the field of education. This study focuses on the application of GAI in programming education, aiming to explore its impact on enhancing students' computational thinking. Through literature review, we found that the application of GAI in programming education is still in its early stages, with a lack of empirical research on its effectiveness. To address this gap, this study proposes a project-based learning model that integrates GAI to enhance students' computational thinking. The model is constructed by analyzing the components of computational thinking, the key elements of project-based learning, and the potential roles of GAI in this context. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model, a quasi-experimental study was conducted. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-test results. The findings revealed a significant improvement in students' computational thinking after participating in the GAI-enhanced project-based learning activities. Specifically, significant differences were observed in the sub-dimensions of creativity, algorithmic thinking, and problem-solving ability. However, no significant differences were found in the sub-dimensions of collaborative ability and critical thinking.