2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Leveraging ChatGPT 4.0’s Image Processing Feature for Enhanced Problem-Solving Support in Mechanical Engineering Courses

Presented at Mechanics Division (MECHS) Technical Session 1A

The introduction of ChatGPT 4.0 has brought about an intriguing new feature—image processing—which allows users to copy and paste screenshots of problems for solutions. This capability offers a significant advantage for students struggling with how to begin solving mechanical engineering problems. In many cases, ChatGPT’s problem solving methodology is correct; however, minor calculation errors prevent the generation of the correct final answer. Nevertheless, the tool proves to be valuable for students who need guidance in starting a problem or determining the correct procedure to follow. To assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT in helping students, in-class quizzes were conducted, asking students to compare their confidence in their own work with ChatGPT’s solutions in Statics, Dynamics, and Dynamics of Machinery courses. Additionally, student surveys were administered to gather feedback on the tool’s utility. Preliminary results indicate that while students find ChatGPT helpful for double-checking their approach and method, some are reluctant to rely solely on the tool for final numerical answers, preferring to use it as a supplementary aid rather than a primary solution source.

Authors

Prof. Milad Rezvani Rad University of Southern Indiana [biography]

Dr. Milad Rad is an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Department at the University of Southern Indiana. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta in Canada. Besides his specialization in functional thermally sprayed coatings, he explores innovative AI-driven approaches to enhance student engagement in the classroom.
Dr. Julian Ly Davis http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4109-3904 University of Southern Indiana [biography]

Jul Davis is an Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana. He received his PhD in 2007 from Virginia Tech in Engineering Mechanics where he studied the vestibular organs in the inner ear using finite element models and vibration analyses. After graduating, he spent a semester teaching at a local community college and then two years at University of Massachusetts (Amherst) studying the biomechanics of biting in bats and monkeys, also using finite element modeling techniques. In 2010, he started his career teaching in all areas of mechanical engineering at the University of Southern Indiana. He loves teaching all of the basic mechanics courses, and of course his Vibrations and Finite Element Analysis courses.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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