One of the hardest struggles in programming instruction is keeping learners from leaving their work to search GPT or other resources for answers. The AI hint feature was created to provide insight for learners struggling with a zyLab and to keep them working through the problem rather than leaving to find answers elsewhere.
AI hints can be toggled on in any section with an advanced zyLab, including zyBooks maintained labs. AI hints is currently only supported with advanced zyLabs. Open the Beta features and toggle on AI hints.
Now, any learners who fails a lab's test case will see a dropdown to "help me with this test". These hints break down what the test is looking for to help learners complete their program.
Since no work has been completed, this empty workspace prompts the hint system to provide a complete, step-by-step guide. Notice there is an option to rate the AI hint, and options to provide the hint a different way or another hint entirely. We encourage users to rate the hints, as the AI may not always provide the most accurate help.
When a learner is mostly correct, you'll notice the hint system adjusts to address the minor changes needed for their code.
In this unit test example, the hint system provides some example code to get the student started. This example includes syntax and context for the test, and it advises the learner to test their code as they continue writing it.
We encourage instructors to use AI hints to support learning by guiding students through the coding process, not completing it for them.