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ABSTRACT
This teaching tip explores the integration of AI tools into database education. The author describes how instructors can use AI tools to prepare teaching materials and how students can use AI to facilitate database development. The teaching tips provided encompass both course-level objectives and assignment-specific strategies. The inclusion of AI prompts and the comprehensive coverage of tasks indicates an integrated approach to enhancing overall course delivery while providing specific guidance on individual assignments. Surveys and email interviews with students revealed positive feedback regarding the AI-integrated assignments. Students found AI tools helpful for learning database concepts, developing databases, understanding SQL code, and improving their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Additionally, students expressed a desire for further learning in prompt engineering and better communication with AI tools. Although student feedback is positive, educators must also consider challenges such as over-reliance on AI and the need to train students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Designing assignments that require reflections and detailed documentation of the problem-solving process could be an effective approach. The detailed process and associated materials in the appendices provide useful resources for instructors who want to incorporate AI tools into their database courses.
Keywords: Database management systems (DBMS), Generative AI in teaching, Structured query language (SQL), Artificial intelligence, Case study, IT education
1. INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that, from 2022 to 2032, database jobs will increase by 8% (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). SQL is the most in-demand talent to be employed in 2024, according to Coursera and Indeed (Baraka, 2024). These statistics show that it is important for students to gain SQL competencies to make them more marketable. In addition to SQL skills, with the rapid adoption of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini), the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills has been growing. According to Indeed, AI job postings increased twentyfold in the first ten months of 2023 (Dumas, 2024). The Access Partner (2023) survey reports that 75% of employers consider AI hiring their top priority. Companies find hiring people with AI expertise difficult, and employees want to learn about AI but are unsure where to get the necessary training. Colleges and universities are in an excellent position to help close the skills gap in artificial intelligence as...