Generative AI and Knowledge Mapping in Programming Education: Student Learning and Engagement.

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Title: Generative AI and Knowledge Mapping in Programming Education: Student Learning and Engagement.
Authors: Nitchot, Athitaya1 athitaya.nitchot@gmail.com, Gilbert, Lester2 lg11@soton.ac.uk
Source: Electronic Journal of e-Learning. 2026, Vol. 24 Issue 2, p132-148. 17p.
Subject Terms: *Generative artificial intelligence, *Computer programming education, *Student engagement, *Learning, *Educational resources, *Cognitive maps (Psychology), *Concept mapping, *Digital learning
Abstract: This study examines how Generative AI and knowledge-mapping tools support student learning and engagement in programming education. A quasi-experimental design was conducted with 30 undergraduate students enrolled in an object-oriented programming course, where participants used both tools across a four-week intervention. Data were collected through task performance and learner perception surveys. The results indicate that students reported higher ease of use and immediate support when using Generative AI, while knowledge mapping was associated with stronger support for conceptual understanding and reflective learning in later stages. These findings suggest that the two approaches support different aspects of learning, with Generative AI facilitating rapid clarification and knowledge-mapping tools encouraging structured conceptual engagement. The study contributes to the e-learning field by providing empirical insight into how different forms of learning support function within the same instructional context. Rather than positioning the tools as direct alternatives, the findings highlight their complementary pedagogical roles and offer guidance for integrating adaptive AI support with structured learning approaches in programming education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Electronic Journal of e-Learning is the property of Academic Conferences & Publishing International Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Generative AI and Knowledge Mapping in Programming Education: Student Learning and Engagement.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nitchot%2C+Athitaya%22">Nitchot, Athitaya</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> athitaya.nitchot@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gilbert%2C+Lester%22">Gilbert, Lester</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> lg11@soton.ac.uk</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Electronic+Journal+of+e-Learning%22">Electronic Journal of e-Learning</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 24 Issue 2, p132-148. 17p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generative+artificial+intelligence%22">Generative artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+programming+education%22">Computer programming education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning%22">Learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+resources%22">Educational resources</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+maps+%28Psychology%29%22">Cognitive maps (Psychology)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concept+mapping%22">Concept mapping</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+learning%22">Digital learning</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study examines how Generative AI and knowledge-mapping tools support student learning and engagement in programming education. A quasi-experimental design was conducted with 30 undergraduate students enrolled in an object-oriented programming course, where participants used both tools across a four-week intervention. Data were collected through task performance and learner perception surveys. The results indicate that students reported higher ease of use and immediate support when using Generative AI, while knowledge mapping was associated with stronger support for conceptual understanding and reflective learning in later stages. These findings suggest that the two approaches support different aspects of learning, with Generative AI facilitating rapid clarification and knowledge-mapping tools encouraging structured conceptual engagement. The study contributes to the e-learning field by providing empirical insight into how different forms of learning support function within the same instructional context. Rather than positioning the tools as direct alternatives, the findings highlight their complementary pedagogical roles and offer guidance for integrating adaptive AI support with structured learning approaches in programming education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Electronic Journal of e-Learning is the property of Academic Conferences & Publishing International Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.34190/ejel.24.2.4587
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Generative artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer programming education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Educational resources
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive maps (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Concept mapping
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      – SubjectFull: Digital learning
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      – TitleFull: Generative AI and Knowledge Mapping in Programming Education: Student Learning and Engagement.
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            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: 2026
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              Y: 2026
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