Vibe coding before the trend

TL;DR

In early 2025, student cohorts across various disciplines experimented with vibe coding challenges, revealing shifts in skills, perceptions, and the importance of AI proficiency in education.

Contribution

This report documents early-stage classroom observations of AI tool integration, highlighting emerging patterns and practical lessons for educators.

Findings

AI shifted focus from syntax to higher-order thinking.

Students see AI skills as essential for careers.

Non-technical students value AI accessibility.

Abstract

Early 2025 we ran a series of vibe coding challenges across four different student cohorts. The cohorts included 54 ICT students, 24 digital marketing students, and 7 journalism students at Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), and 22 BA Communication students at North-West University (South Africa). From the student reflections, five major patterns emerged. Students reported that AI tools shifted their focus from syntax to higher-order thinking; they also described a skill shift from memorizing to evaluating; they viewed AI proficiency as career-essential; they framed their relationship with AI as partnership rather than replacement; and finally non-technical students showed the strongest appreciation for the accessibility these tools provide. This practitioner report documents what we observed during the classroom experiments, we reflect on how the landscape has shifted in the year since, and shares practical lessons for educators considering similar experiments. We present the observations as what they are: patterns from practice, not proven conclusions, in the beleif that sharing early stage experiences contributes to the overall field of AI and education.