PPC Edge: smart learning tool

PPC Edge: Smart Learning Tool is a course-aligned, ChatGPT-powered assistant developed to support independent and self-directed learning in Production Planning and Control (OPM545). It addresses student challenges in understanding technical PPC concepts, solving calculations, and applying knowledge to real business scenarios gaps which often linked to limited contact hours and underprepared institutional AI support in Malaysian higher education. The tool combines AI guidance with structured prompts, critical review, and reflective learning, facilitating concept explanation, calculation solving with managerial interpretation, business application, exam revision, and answer checking. Developed through a six-stage process which is problem identification, instructional design, chatbot configuration with iterative YAML refinement, pilot testing, classroom implementation, and evaluation, PPC Edge was used by 67 Part 4 undergraduate students during Semester 1, 2025/2026. Pre-post surveys showed improvement across six learning areas, with the strongest gains in independent learning, business application, conceptual understanding, and calculation solving. PPC Edge demonstrates that faculty-curated, course-specific AI can enhance learning autonomy, promote AI literacy, and extend support beyond classroom hours when implemented responsibly.