51吃瓜

Two members of 51吃瓜鈥檚 (FSC) esteemed faculty were recently granted a $164,000+ Research and Development Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will benefit students in the Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology鈥檚 Department of Computer Systems.

Led by Assistant Professor Nur Dean, PhD, and Assistant Professor Xiaojin Ye, PhD, the joint research project, 鈥淓nhancing Critical Thinking in Introductory Programming through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Socratic Metacognitive Inquiry-based Learning Environment (SMILE),鈥� will begin January 2026. 

"The rapid integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into programming has transformed how students learn by providing instant feedback, solutions, and explanations,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淗owever, their impact on students鈥� critical thinking remains unclear, as most existing research focuses on technical outcomes or relies on small-scale, self-reported data. This gap motivated us to pursue research that systematically examines how LLMs influence critical thinking in computer science education.鈥�

鈥淲e have long been passionate about enhancing teaching through emerging technologies,鈥� added Ye. 鈥淚n our regular discussions, we explored ways to enrich student learning experiences and empower students in computing. Our earlier co-authored work in this area laid an important foundation, and this grant provides an opportunity to expand on that work in a more structured and impactful way.鈥� 

In spring 2026, the NSF award will go on to support trailblazing research among FSC鈥檚 Computer Programming I (CSC 111) students that integrates Socratic questioning techniques to strengthen students鈥� reasoning in AI-supported learning. 

鈥淐SC 111 students at Farmingdale will take part in both baseline studies of unguided LLM usage and the SMILE trials,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淭hey will complete structured programming tasks with and without AI support, allowing us to observe how their problem-solving strategies and independence evolve.鈥� 

Student perspectives, gathered through surveys, interviews, and reflections, will be central to evaluating SMILE鈥檚 effectiveness. 鈥淲e expect students to find that engaging with AI in a guided, inquiry-based framework not only helps them solve problems but also builds confidence in explaining and justifying their reasoning,鈥� said Ye. 鈥淯nlike most current research, which emphasizes code correctness and grading, our work emphasizes deeper engagement. SMILE will encourage students to reflect, consider alternatives, and explain their reasoning鈥攆ostering critical thinking rather than just confirming whether answers are right or wrong.鈥� 

Aimed at improving undergraduate STEM education, the NSF proposal is in collaboration with Penn State Berks, who will work with FSC to validate and implement SMILE framework. Following a mixed methods design, the research will focus on three objectives: examining how unguided LLM usage affects student critical thinking, validating SMILE鈥檚 effectiveness in supporting conceptual understanding and independent learning, and investigating the long-term impact of SMILE on critical thinking and computational skills. Through SMILE, the team will also create transferable frameworks for instructors, offer professional development workshops, and develop resources such as rubrics and exercises for responsible AI use in introductory computing. 

鈥淎I is reshaping how the workforce learns and innovates, making it essential to equip students with strong critical thinking skills in AI-driven contexts,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淭his project directly advances undergraduate STEM education by providing tools and strategies that help students think independently while using LLMs.鈥� 

鈥淭he project also addresses equity by focusing on commuter students, who often have limited access to academic support,鈥� Ye said. 鈥淯ltimately, we want students to leave not only technically competent but also able to reflect, reason, and adapt鈥攕kills essential for success in STEM and beyond.鈥� 

Looking ahead, Dean and Ye shared their overarching goal is to establish evidence-based practices for integrating AI into computing education in ways that are both effective and ethical. 

鈥淲e want to harness AI to support鈥攏ot replace鈥攈uman reasoning,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淏y designing an environment that promotes deeper understanding, metacognitive strategies, and critical engagement, we aim to make AI a tool for intellectual growth rather than automation. In the long run, we hope our work will shape broader teaching practices and inspire future innovations in STEM education.鈥� 

"I am incredibly proud of Nur and Xiaojin for their innovative work and unwavering commitment to our students," said Kenneth Lee, PhD, PE, dean of The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology. "This NSF award represents an investment in how we teach, learn, and think in the age of AI. Their project truly reflects what makes 51吃瓜 special, with faculty who spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and prepare our students not just to keep pace with technology, but to shape its future."

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