# Enhancing Programming Education with ChatGPT: A Case Study on Student Perceptions and Interactions in a Python Course

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.15472 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.15472/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 8 of its 19 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 20 Mar 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [An Analysis of the Automatic Bug Fixing Performance of ChatGPT](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.08653/) (2023)
- [Is ChatGPT the Ultimate Programming Assistant -- How far is it?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.11938/) (2023)
- [On the Educational Impact of ChatGPT: Is Artificial Intelligence Ready to Obtain a University Degree?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.11146/) (2023)
- [Generative AI for Programming Education: Benchmarking ChatGPT, GPT-4, and Human Tutors](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.17156/) (2023)
- [Generating High-Precision Feedback for Programming Syntax Errors using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.04662/) (2023)
- [Large Language Models (GPT) for automating feedback on programming assignments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.00150/) (2023)
- [GPTutor: a ChatGPT-powered programming tool for code explanation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.01863/) (2023)
- [ChatGPT impacts in programming education: A recent literature overview that debates ChatGPT responses](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.12348/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [The StudyChat Dataset: Analyzing Student Dialogues With ChatGPT in an Artificial Intelligence Course](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.07928/) (2025)
- [Scaffolding Metacognition in Programming Education: Understanding Student-AI Interactions and Design Implications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.04144/) (2025)
- [LLM Pedagogical Behavior in AI Tutoring Interactions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.22993/) (2026)
- [Design of AI-Powered Tool for Self-Regulation Support in Programming Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.03068/) (2025)
- [Access Timing as Scaffolding: A Reinforcement Learning Approach to GenAI in Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.15850/) (2026)
- [AI-Assisted Help-Seeking Trajectories in Programming Education from an SRL-Informed Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.22809/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The integration of ChatGPT as a supportive tool in education, notably in programming courses, addresses the unique challenges of programming education by providing assistance with debugging, code generation, and explanations. Despite existing research validating ChatGPT's effectiveness, its application in university-level programming education and a detailed understanding of student interactions and perspectives remain limited. This paper explores ChatGPT's impact on learning in a Python programming course tailored for first-year students over eight weeks. By analyzing responses from surveys, open-ended questions, and student-ChatGPT dialog data, we aim to provide a comprehensive view of ChatGPT's utility and identify both its advantages and limitations as perceived by students. Our study uncovers a generally positive reception toward ChatGPT and offers insights into its role in enhancing the programming education experience. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on AI's potential in education, suggesting paths for future research and application.