Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Labs. A Controlled Study of a Teaching Experience in an ITS Academy Course
摘要
The integration of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Technical Education represents both a challenge and an opportunity to innovate educational processes. This study presents an experimental teaching model applied to an ITS Academy course, in which students simulated an experiment using a Virtual Labs platform, supported by integrative Artificial Intelligence tools. The experience was evaluated through rubrics, observational reports, and a questionnaire on the use of Artificial Intelligence, actively involving students and teachers. The results highlight how the informed use of Artificial Intelligence technologies can strengthen technical and scientific skills, promoting a Learning-by-Doing approach and fostering personalized learning. The research proposes a replicable teaching model and reflects on the methodological limitations and future prospects of systematically integrating Artificial Intelligence into Higher Technical Education curricula, highlighting the potential and critical aspects of this new educational approach. The results suggest that Artificial Intelligence, if used appropriately, can provide powerful cognitive and operational support in Higher Technical Education contexts.