ChatGPT – Can it improve your child’s coding skills?

Artificial Intelligence has transformed our world, and its impact is undeniable. AI involves computer systems performing tasks that previously required human intelligence. One area where AI has caused a revolution is coding. 

The emergence of ChatGPT, a language model that generates code in response to prompts, has turned the coding world upside down. This has raised questions from parents about whether ChatGPT can enhance their child’s coding skills and support their education. 

Recommended Reading: Fun Learning with ChatGPT Summer Camp: Should You Enroll Your Child?

In this blog, Moonprenuer will explore whether ChatGPT can improve children’s coding skills.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI (AI Research and Development Company), stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, and it was released in the month of November 2022. You can tell how popular ChatGPT is because it has over 100 million users and attracts 1 billion visitors to its website every month.

How ChatGPT works, and how it generates code?

ChatGPT is a language model that uses pre-training to generate text, including code snippets. Users provide a prompt or question, and ChatGPT generates code based on pre-trained knowledge. The quality of the generated code depends on the prompt and pre-training data.

Can ChatGPT improve children’s coding skills?

ChatGPT can assist with code refactoring by recommending better coding techniques and improving performance. However, to make the best use of this technology, children need to have some basic coding skills to understand the code generated by ChatGPT in response to prompts.

Here are some examples of coding exercises and projects that children can work on with the help of ChatGPT:

1. Creating a simple website: 

If your child wants to develop a website, they can take the help of ChatGPT in creating a simple website using HTML and CSS. They can prompt ChatGPT with questions about how to structure their HTML tags, how to apply CSS styles, and how to make their website responsive. 

ChatGPT can also suggest resources for learning more advanced web development techniques.

2. Building a chatbot: 

Well! ChatGPT itself is a chatbot, so it can certainly help children learn how to build chatbots. Children have to focus on the prompts. For instance, they can prompt ChatGPT with questions about how to use various programming languages and frameworks, such as Python and Flask, to create a chatbot. 

Not just that, it can also provide code snippets and recommend tutorials for learning more about chatbot development.

3. Solving coding challenges:

Coding is not easy, but children can take the help of ChatGPT to solve coding challenges, such as those found on websites like HackerRank and CodeWars. They just have to prompt ChatGPT with questions about approaching a particular coding challenge, and ChatGPT can provide suggestions for algorithms and data structures to use.

4. Creating a game:

Some children are interested in developing games, and ChatGPT can mentor them. It can assist them in creating a simple game using a programming language such as Python or JavaScript.

 Here also, they have to prompt ChatGPT with questions about how to structure their code, create game mechanics, and make their game interactive. 

If the child wants to pursue more advanced game development techniques, ChatGPT can provide information on resources for learning, such as advanced game development courses, specialized forums, and coding communities.

5. Debugging code:

ChatGPT can help children learn how to debug their code. They can prompt ChatGPT with questions about how to identify and fix common coding errors, and ChatGPT can provide suggestions for debugging techniques and tools.

By prompting ChatGPT with specific coding questions and tasks, children can get personalized feedback and guidance that can help them develop their programming skills.

Drawbacks/limitations of using ChatGPT for coding

• One potential drawback of using ChatGPT for coding is that it may hinder a child’s ability to learn through trial and error and problem-solving, which are essential skills for coding.
• ChatGPT’s responses may sometimes be inaccurate or appropriate, which could lead to confusion or incorrect information being learned.

To balance the use of ChatGPT with traditional coding education, children can:

• Use ChatGPT as a supplement to their learning rather than relying on it as their sole source of information.
• Practice coding on their own.
• Seek guidance from teachers or mentors when needed.

At MoonCamp, we bring fun and learning to your kids. Get the best exposure this summer through several tech-related courses and activities, and get a  chance to learn while having fun!

Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.