Exploring the Application of ChatGPT in Mechanical Engineering Education

The use of language models such as ChatGPT in the field of engineering has gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to assist engineers in their projects and tasks. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of ChatGPT in supporting students' learning in the Mechanism and Machine Theory (MMT) subject. The study involved participants who were asked to interact with ChatGPT to obtain concept clarification and factual information related to MMT. Our results show that the majority of participants were familiar with ChatGPT and had used it for academic or technical questions. They also found it easy to use and felt that it covered a wide range of topics. However, they noted that the answers provided by ChatGPT were not always clear or were ambiguous. Our research also emphasizes the significance of critical thinking, analytical skills, and decision-making abilities while utilizing ChatGPT. While ChatGPT can serve as a valuable aid to students, enhancing their productivity and providing them with prompt information, it cannot replace their expertise and specialized skills. More studies are required to delve deeper into the complete potential of ChatGPT in bolstering engineering education and practice.
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