New Prototype Learning System for Software Development Education Uses a Learning-by-Teaching Approach
The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) models, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, has transformed educational pedagogy by enabling new forms of interaction, reflection, and learning, yet the use of GenAI in software development education often fails to support deep conceptual learning. In a new article, researchers introduce Teachable AI, a prototype learning system that applies a learning-by-teaching approach in which students explain newly learned concepts to an AI agent.
The article was written by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, American Heritage Schools, and the University of Rome. It is published in the IEEE 2026 14th International Conference on Information and Education Technology.
“The widespread availability of Gen AI has introduced new opportunities for learning in computing education, particularly in courses on software development, where students often struggle to grasp abstract and fundamental principles and concepts,” explains Shihong Huang, teaching professor of information systems at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College, who coauthored the article. “Using our system, students act as teachers by explaining coding concepts to the Teachable AI bot and deepen their understanding of the subjects.”
The article was also coauthored by three other researchers at Carnegie Mellon.
By articulating explanations and correcting the agent’s misunderstandings, students engage in metacognitive reflection that strengthens their comprehension. The authors describe the system’s pedagogical foundations, design framework, and implementation of the prototype. In so doing, they contribute a design-based perspective on using GenAI as a learning partner rather than a direct provider of answers.
The authors conclude with a discussion of the pedagogical opportunities, challenges, and plans for the system’s use in the classroom. In developing Teachable AI, they hope to contribute to a shift in AI-supported learning from AI as tutor to AI as learner, transforming the classroom into a collaborative learning space shared by people and AI.
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Summarized from an article in the 2026 14th International Conference on Information and Education Technology, "Learning by Teaching: A Teachable AI Bot for Software Development Education," by Du, S (American Heritage Schools), Shi, J (Carnegie Mellon University), Shah, D (Carnegie Mellon University), Distante, D (University of Rome), Heimann, L (Carnegie Mellon University), and Huang, S (Carnegie Mellon University). Copyright 2026 IEEE. All rights reserved.
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The Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy is home to two internationally recognized schools: the School of Information Systems and Management and the School of Public Policy and Management. Heinz College leads at the intersection of people, policy, and technology, with expertise in analytics, artificial intelligence, arts & entertainment, cybersecurity, health care, and public policy. The college offers top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive education certificates in these areas. Our programs are ranked #1 in Information Systems, #1 in Information and Technology Management, #8 in Public Policy Analysis, and #1 in Cybersecurity by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.heinz.cmu.edu.