ARTICLE
11 November 2026

Exploring Teaching Methods for Conceptual Analysis and Problem‑Solving Seminars in Engineering Thermodynamics with Generative AI

Yuan Fang1* ,  Wei Lu1 ,  Zhiyun Wang1
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1 School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
IEF 2026 , 4(10), 47–52; https://doi.org/10.26689/IEF.v4i10.16080
© 2026 by the Author. Licensee: Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty Ltd, Australia. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

Due to abstract concepts, rigorous logic, and complex engineering contexts, Engineering Thermodynamics has long been plagued by teaching difficulties, including obstacles in conceptual analysis and low‑efficiency problem‑solving seminars. Through an in‑depth analysis of its existing teaching dilemmas, this paper puts forward reform strategies such as multi‑representation generation and concept comparison, cognitive‑conflict induction and misconception correction, Socratic guidance and step‑by‑step prompting, as well as contextualized exercise generation and dynamic feedback. It gives full play to the auxiliary teaching functions of generative AI, so as to provide references for the teaching reform of Engineering Thermodynamics and professional talent cultivation.

Keywords
Generative artificial intelligence
Engineering Thermodynamics
Conceptual analysis
Problem‑solving seminar
Teaching strategy
References

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