Using Copilot at University of Birmingham
Microsoft Copilot is now available to use for University of Birmingham members. See the University documentation pages for guidelines on ethical use of Generative AI.
You are welcome to use Copilot to support your learning of statistics and coding throughout the Research Methods B computer practical sessions. In particular, Copilot can be a useful way to get a second perspective on different technical concepts, to help generate data analysis code or to understand where data analysis code might have gone wrong.
Throughout the course - we will suggest places where you might benefit from interacting with Copilot to support your learning. Look out for dialogue boxes like this one.
Try asking Copilot for more information about variables in R. We suggest you try the following prompts to get started.
- “Write a simple description of variables in R for a beginner”
- “How can I choose a name for my variable in R”
Make sure to ask follow up questions if you would like more information. Remember to talk with your session tutors if you get stuck.
Tools like Copilot can be a valuable learning aid, however it is critical that you familiarise yourself with the University’s student and PGR guidance on using GenAI tools ethically for work. This guidance provides you with the risks and limitations of using Generative AI tools in your academic study
It is not permitted to use Generative AI tools in assessment unless explicitly stated on the assessment page. It is your responsibility to use these tools in an appropriate way.
Copilot giving advice about how to use Copilot
Here are some questions with Copilot’s answers to help you decide how and when to use Copilot. Note that Copilot may respond differently if you ask identical prompts.
How can a beginner use copilot to start learning R?
Starting to learn R with the help of Copilot can be a smooth and enjoyable process. Here are some steps and tips to get you started:
1. Understand the Basics
Begin by asking Copilot to explain fundamental concepts in R. This will give you a solid foundation to build on. - Example Questions: - “What are the basic data types in R?” - “How do I create a vector in R?”
2. Follow Step-by-Step Tutorials
Request detailed guides for common tasks. This helps you understand the process and logic behind the code. - Example Questions: - “Can you show me how to read a CSV file into R?” - “How do I create a simple plot using ggplot2?”
3. Practice with Exercises
Reinforce your learning by practicing with beginner exercises. This will help you apply what you’ve learned. - Example Questions: - “Can you give me a beginner exercise for data manipulation in R?” - “What are some basic exercises to practice using loops in R?”
4. Explore Essential Packages
Learn about important R packages that can simplify your work. Copilot can introduce you to these packages and show you how to use them. - Example Questions: - “What is the
dplyrpackage and how do I use it?” - “Can you explain how to use thetidyversepackage for data analysis?”5. Debugging Help
When you encounter errors, ask Copilot for help in understanding and fixing them. This will improve your debugging skills. - Example Questions: - “I’m getting an error with my R code, can you help me debug it?” - “What does this error message mean in R?”
6. Learn Best Practices
Ask about best practices for writing clean and efficient R code. This will help you develop good > coding habits. - Example Questions: - “What are some best practices for writing R code?” - “How can I make my R scripts more efficient?”
7. Request Code Examples
Seeing examples can be very helpful. Ask for code snippets to understand how to implement different > functions and methods. - Example Questions: - “Can you show me an example of how to use the
8. Stay Curious and Explore
Don’t hesitate to ask about anything you’re curious about, even if it seems basic. Copilot is here to help you learn at your own pace. - Example Questions: - “What are some good resources for learning R?” - “How do I create a histogram in R?”
Example Questions to Ask Copilot:
- “How do I extract specific rows from a data frame in R?”
- “What are some common data visualization techniques in R?”
By leveraging Copilot’s capabilities, you can get personalized assistance and resources tailored to your learning needs. Remember, learning a new language takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself and keep experimenting. Happy coding! If you have any specific questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask!
Can I always trust code that has been written by copilot?
Code generated by Copilot can be a great starting point, but it’s important to review and test it thoroughly. Here are a few tips to ensure the code meets your needs:
- Review for Accuracy: Check the logic and syntax to make sure it aligns with your requirements.
- Test Thoroughly: Run tests to ensure the code works as expected in different scenarios.
- Security Considerations: Be mindful of potential security vulnerabilities and address them as needed.
- Customization: Adapt and refine the code to better fit your specific use case.
Using these practices can help you make the most of Copilot’s assistance while ensuring the quality and reliability of your code. If you have any specific coding questions or need help with a particular piece of code, feel free to ask! 😊