LLteacher: A Tool for the Integration of Generative AI into Statistics Assignments

TL;DR

LLteacher is an open-source tool designed to integrate generative AI into statistics education, supporting students in homework while promoting learning and equitable access.

Contribution

It introduces LLteacher, a novel AI tool that guides students in statistics assignments, aligning AI assistance with educational goals and ensuring fair access.

Findings

Supports knowledge recall and concept discovery

Demonstrates effective integration in an undergraduate R course

Shows potential for adaptation to various classes

Abstract

As generative AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, the thoughtful and intentional integration of AI-based tools into statistics education has become essential. We address this need with a focus on homework assignments and we propose the use of LLMs as a companion to complete homework by developing an open-source tool named LLteacher. This LLM-based tool preserves learning processes and it guides students to engage with AI in ways that support their learning, while ensuring alignment with course content and equitable access. We illustrate LLteacher's design and functionality with examples from an undergraduate Statistical Computing course in R, showing how it supports two distinct pedagogical goals: recalling prior knowledge and discovering new concepts. While this is an initial version, LLteacher demonstrates one possible pathway for integrating generative AI into statistics courses, with strong potential for adaptation to other types of classes and assignments.