Drivers and barriers of learning MBSE: design and validation of a RAG-based AI chatbot leveraging smart views

Learning MBSE is hindered by abstraction and complex tools. This paper identifies barriers via literature review and interviews to design a RAG-based chatbot acting as a “smart view” for contextual guidance. Evaluated through a semester-long field study and a controlled experiment, the prototype shows high usability and reduces cognitive load. While performance is comparable to traditional e-books, the RAG-enabled system effectively mitigates entry-level barriers and aids authentic project work through stepwise tutoring, offering a scalable, interactive complement to MBSE education.