WIP: Enhancing the Teaching of Traditional Mechanical Engineering Courses Through the Integration of Generative AI Tools

Abstract

This work-in-progress innovative practice paper describes the author's efforts to leverage ChatGPT for enhancing the teaching effectiveness of mechanical engineering (ME) core courses and promoting student success in traditionally challenging subjects. In this study, the author revamped and enriched the syllabi and curricula for a junior-level ME core course, Vibrations, by integrating ChatGPT, aiming to achieve the following goals: (1) help students gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts in these subjects by teaching them how to use ChatGPT to acquire explicit explanations and clarifications of those concepts as well as additional insights behind them; (2) enhance students' problem-solving skills by guiding them to revisit examples and tackle additional problems using ChatGPT; and (3) assist students in reinforcing and strengthening their foundational knowledge in mathematics and physics relevant to the course. The author has also developed questionnaires for the course to assess the effectiveness of the renovated curriculum. Surveys will be conducted in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 to answer the following questions: (1) to what extent can the innovative, AI-assisted curriculum improve the learning experience and student outcomes? (2) Is the proposed curriculum development approach adaptable for enhancing other ME courses, and potentially applicable across engineering disciplines? (3) Can this approach be seamlessly transferred to and implemented at other institutions, both nationally and globally, to create a lasting impact on engineering education? A full paper will be completed and presented at a future FIE conference upon completion of this assessment.

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