Paper ID: 2407.15010

ChatISA: A Prompt-Engineered Chatbot for Coding, Project Management, Interview and Exam Preparation Activities

Fadel M. Megahed, Ying-Ju Chen, Joshua A. Ferris, Cameron Resatar, Kaitlyn Ross, Younghwa Lee, L. Allison Jones-Farmer

As generative AI continues to evolve, educators face the challenge of preparing students for a future where AI-assisted work is integral to professional success. This paper introduces ChatISA, an in-house, multi-model chatbot designed to support students in an Information Systems and Analytics department. ChatISA comprises four primary modules-Coding Companion, Project Coach, Exam Ally, and Interview Mentor-each tailored to enhance different aspects of the educational experience. Through iterative development, student feedback, and leveraging open-source frameworks, we created a robust tool that addresses coding inquiries, project management, exam preparation, and interview readiness. The implementation of ChatISA revealed significant insights and challenges, including the necessity of ethical guidelines and balancing AI usage with maintaining student agency. Our findings underscore the importance of adaptive pedagogy and proactive engagement with AI tools to maximize their educational benefits. To support broader adoption and innovation, all code for ChatISA is made publicly available on GitHub, enabling other institutions to customize and integrate similar AI-driven educational tools within their curricula.

Submitted: Jun 13, 2024