ACCELERATING ACOUSTICS: A LEARNING PARADIGM WITH PYTHON AND PROMPT ENGINEERING

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is catalyzing a paradigm shift in higher education, demanding new pedagogical approaches that integrate AI literacy as a core competency. This paper addresses the long-standing challenge of teaching acoustics, a field often perceived as abstract and mathematically intensive by undergraduate students. We propose a novel, 13-week exercise-based course designed for the Faculty of Information Science at the Kanagawa Institute of Technology. This course uniquely integrates Python programming with the systematic application of prompt engineering to facilitate the learning of fundamental acoustics concepts. The methodology involves leveraging GenAI as a personalized tutor, a code-generation assistant for visualization, and a tool for conceptual exploration. The expected outcomes include not only a deeper, more intuitive understanding of acoustics but also the cultivation of critical AI literacy and problem-solving skills essential for the next generation of engineers. This approach has the transformative potential to reshape engineering pedagogy, making complex subjects more accessible and engaging while preparing students for a future of human-AI collaboration.