Exploring GenAI-Assisted Interdisciplinary Learning for Humanities Students in an NLP Course

Interdisciplinary learning is recognized as a vital pedagogical approach, enabling students to connect traditional disciplines with technological fields (Li, 2024). In language education, this integration enriches linguistic abilities and links language skills to real-world contexts (Xie, 2024). However, while the growth of generative AI (GenAI) has further catalyzed this integration, research has not yet fully explored how humanities students utilize AI tools in interdisciplinary learning.

This study examines how English majors use GenAI to learn computational skills and their attitudes toward AI-assisted interdisciplinary learning. Twenty-nine undergraduates enrolled in an introductory Natural Language Processing course designed for English majors. Through questionnaires, interviews, and written reflections, initial results indicate that GenAI proved helpful in fixing coding errors, brainstorming projects, and optimizing machine learning models. Students engaged in interactive dialogue with AI, refining prompts and cross-checking outputs with external sources for accuracy. However, they struggled with AI-generated responses that often did not meet their needs, requiring multiple iterations to obtain satisfactory results. They also encountered difficulties in understanding and applying AI-generated code, which frequently contained errors or was incompatible with their tasks, requiring modifications they were unsure how to implement. Nevertheless, students generally perceived GenAI as a valuable tool that enhanced their ability to complete computational tasks, thereby promoting interdisciplinary learning. The findings suggest that while AI improves learning efficiency, integrating critical evaluation strategies is crucial for maximizing educational benefits.

In summary, this study provides insights into how English majors engage with and perceive GenAI-assisted interdisciplinary learning in an NLP course, guiding the development of interdisciplinary curricula and pedagogical approaches that effectively integrate AI tools. Ultimately, it shows that humanities students can seamlessly integrate into AI’s evolving landscape, equipping them with the digital literacy and interdisciplinary competencies needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.