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Publications

Publications by Ricardo Queirós

2024

Exercisify: An AI-Powered Statement Evaluator

Authors
Queirós, R;

Publication
ICPEC

Abstract
A growing concern with current teaching approaches underscores the need for innovative paradigms and tools in computer programming education, aiming to address disparate user profiles, enhance engagement, and cultivate deeper understanding among learners This article proposes an innovative approach to teaching programming, where students are challenged to write statements for solutions automatically generated. With this approach, rather than simply solving exercises, students are encouraged to develop code analysis and problem formulation skills. For this purpose, a Web application was developed to materialize these ideas, using the OpenAI API to generate exercises and evaluate statements written by the students. The transformation of this application in H5P and its integration in a LMS gamified workflow is explored for wider and more effective adoption.

2024

Exploring HEIs Students' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence on their Learning Process

Authors
Babo, L; Mendonca, MP; Queiros, R; Pinto, MA; Cruz, M; Mascarenhas, D;

Publication
EEITE 2024 - Proceedings of 2024 5th International Conference in Electronic Engineering, Information Technology and Education

Abstract
An increasing number of colleges and universities are introducing Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in their teaching/learning frameworks. This study examines the feedback from 152 students across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), representing diverse scientific areas, namely Engineering, Lit-erature, Business and Accounting, Sports. It aims to explore the integration of GAI features in education and students' perception on its advantages and disadvantages. Students' top benefit was 'Personalized learning'. They also valued 'efficient content creation', and 'individualized assessment tools'. Their major concern was 'Ethical considerations', and it varied by demographic variables. Other distresses included 'Lack of control of content creation', 'over-reliance', and 'AI depersonalization', and 'decreased interpersonal engagement'. Of utmost important conclusion is that HE students agree and strongly agree that AI came to disrupt HEIs' educational process. © 2024 IEEE.

2024

Leveraging Large Language Models to Support Authoring Gamified Programming Exercises

Authors
Montella, R; De Vita, CG; Mellone, G; Ciricillo, T; Caramiello, D; Di Luccio, D; Kosta, S; Damasevicius, R; Maskeliunas, R; Queirós, R; Swacha, J;

Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Abstract
Featured Application The presented solution can be applied to simplify and hasten the development of gamified programming exercises conforming to the Framework for Gamified Programming Education (FGPE) standard.Abstract Skilled programmers are in high demand, and a critical obstacle to satisfying this demand is the difficulty of acquiring programming skills. This issue can be addressed with automated assessment, which gives fast feedback to students trying to code, and gamification, which motivates them to intensify their learning efforts. Although some collections of gamified programming exercises are available, producing new ones is very demanding. This paper presents GAMAI, an AI-powered exercise gamifier, enriching the Framework for Gamified Programming Education (FGPE) ecosystem. Leveraging large language models, GAMAI enables teachers to effortlessly apply storytelling to describe a gamified scenario, as GAMAI decorates natural language text with the sentences needed by OpenAI APIs to contextualize the prompt. Once a gamified scenario has been generated, GAMAI automatically produces exercise files in a FGPE-compatible format. According to the presented evaluation results, most gamified exercises generated with AI support were ready to be used, with no or minimum human effort, and were positively assessed by students. The usability of the software was also assessed as high by the users. Our research paves the way for a more efficient and interactive approach to programming education, leveraging the capabilities of advanced language models in conjunction with gamification principles.

2024

GAMAI, an AI-Powered Programming Exercise Gamifier Tool

Authors
Montella, R; De Vita, CG; Mellone, G; Ciricillo, T; Caramiello, D; Di Luccio, D; Kosta, S; Damasevicius, R; Maskeliunas, R; Queiros, R; Swacha, J;

Publication
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION: POSTERS AND LATE BREAKING RESULTS, WORKSHOPS AND TUTORIALS, INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION TRACKS, PRACTITIONERS, DOCTORAL CONSORTIUM AND BLUE SKY, AIED 2024, PT I

Abstract
This paper presents GAMAI, an AI-powered exercise gamifier, enriching the Framework for Gamified Programming Education (FGPE) ecosystem. Leveraging OpenAI APIs, GAMAI enables the teachers to leverage the storytelling approach to describe the gamified scenario. GAMAI decorates the natural language text with sentences needed by OpenAI APIs to contextualize the prompt. Once the gamified scenario has been generated, GAMAI automatically produces the exercise files for the FGPE AuthorKit editor. We present preliminary results in AI-assessed gamified exercise generation, showing that most generated exercises are ready to be used with none or minimum human effort needed.

2024

NAVIGATING THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE OF TEACHER PROFESSIONALITY IN PORTUGUESE HIGHER EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY

Authors
Cruz, M; Mascarenhas, D; Queirós, R; Pinto, C;

Publication
EDULEARN Proceedings - EDULEARN24 Proceedings

Abstract

2024

Reconfiguring Teacher Professionality in Higher Education in Portugal: A Case Study on Pedagogical Innovation and Hybrid Learning

Authors
Cruz, M; Mascarenhas, D; Pinto, CMA; Queirós, R;

Publication
VIII IEEE WORLD ENGINEERING EDUCATION CONFERENCE, EDUNINE 2024

Abstract
The teaching and learning process in higher education needs continuous cultivation of pedagogical expertise, encompassing subject mastery and pedagogical methodologies. This article explores the transformation of higher education institutions (HEIs) into hybrid campuses and the importance of pedagogical innovation, highlighting the need for training in hybrid/e-learning environments, and emphasizing the potential of mobile technologies. Furthermore, it presents a case study on two professional development courses offered to faculty members, working in the field of Engineering in Portugal, aiming to reconfigure their professionality. The research adopts an ethnographic methodology, integrating quantitative methods and utilizing a variety of data collection tools, including field notes and self-reflection sheets, to analyze the teachers' reconfiguration of their professional practices. The main findings of the study reveal that the majority of faculty members reported significant gains in transforming traditional courses to digital formats, mastering various online platforms and tools, and developing skills in online communication.

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