BuddyGPT is an innovation project that aims to develop a conversational agent connecting large language models (LLMs) with the Canvas Management System to provide quick answers about modules and courses.
With support from BMSLab, a testable demo version of the Course Assistant is available for exploration. This version uses the local private companion BuddyJ, which is a pre-configured to the M3 – Business Process Analytics module, a joint module between Bachelor of Business Information Technology (B-BIT) and Bachelor of Industrial Engineering Management (B-IEM) at the University of Twente. For privacy and compliance reasons, the demo is connected to a limited, curated set of resources within the module, including the module homepage, module manual, and selected course pages. It does not have access to course files or administrative pages through which additional courses or resources can be configured. Access to the demo requires being on the UT network or connected via VPN.
To configure BuddyGPT for your own course, or to participate in testing that informs ongoing research, please contact Gayane Sedrakyan by email.
Thesis topics related to the project are available, and research collaborations are warmly welcomed.
Information about BuddyJ
Interactive Dialogue
Link to the course, model and sources
Research: Publications, Talks and Seminars
Publications:
- Design Implications for Next Generation Chatbots with Education 5.0 (2024)
In New Technology in Education and Training: Select Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Advance in Education and Information Technology (pp. 1-12) (Lecture Notes in Educational Technology; Vol. Part F3326). Springer. Sedrakyan, G., Borsci, S., van den Berg, S. M., van Hillegersberg, J. & Veldkamp, B. P. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3883-0_1 - Design Implications for Integrating AI Chatbot Technology with Learning Management Systems: A Study-based Analysis on Perceived Benefits and Challenges in Higher Education (2024) In ICAITE 2024: Proceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Teacher Education (pp. 1-8). ACM Press. Sedrakyan, G., Borsci, S., Machado, M., Rogetzer, P. & Mes, M. https://doi.org/10.1145/3702386.3702405
- Designing Explainability Features for LLM-based Educational Chatbots to Promote Reflective Learning Behavior (2025) [Working paper › Preprint]. International AIED Society. Costea, I. & Sedrakyan, G.
- Usability testing of BuddyGPT : A proprietary and integrated conversational agent to support the learning of university students - Li, Jiawei (Thesis, 2025)
Talks and seminars:
- DSI Meet-up: AI Chatbots in EducationLessons from the BuddyGPT Project
- Didactic use of AI in Statistics Education
- Poster presented at AI in Education Walk-in session (Faculty of Science and Technology)