Are You Creative? What College-Level English Language Learners Think of AI Writing Assistants

Authors

  • Zalsa Febrina Syabilla Universitas Islam Malang
  • M. Galuh Elga Romadhon Universitas Islam Malang
  • Mutmainnah Mustofa Universitas Islam Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v7i3.21209

Keywords:

ChatGPT, AI Writing Assistants, English Language Learner, Academic Writing

Abstract

This study explores the perspectives and experiences related to AI writing assistants for college-level English language learners, casting light on potential as valuable supports for language learning and academic writing enhancement. This study uses a qualitative design with narrative inquiry approach. The study was conducted with three English Language Learners in Magister program from one university in Malang. The two research questions were addressed by conducting semi-structured interviews with these students. The results of this investigation show that students' perceptions of ChatGPT were contradictory, with both positive and negative aspects swaying their perspectives. Moreover, the study highlighted factors among them academic workload, time efficiency, and affordability that affected the English language learner’s intent to employ ChatGPT as a writing assistant in an academic context. Regardless the numerous benefit such as instant feedback, grammar proofreading correction, expanding vocabulary, and language style suggestions, the incorporation of AI-based writing aids in academic contexts still faces ethical and practical challenges. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of these aspects can provide valuable insights for educators, enabling them to develop efficacious strategies for the responsible and sustainable integration of AI tools. These strategies aim to effectively facilitate language learning and academic writing for those who are learning English as a foreign language.

Author Biographies

Zalsa Febrina Syabilla, Universitas Islam Malang

Magister of English Education

M. Galuh Elga Romadhon, Universitas Islam Malang

Magister of English Education

Mutmainnah Mustofa, Universitas Islam Malang

English Education Department

References

Abdullayeva, M., & Musayeva, Z. M. (2023). The impact of Chat GPT on student’s writing skills: An exploration of AI-assisted writing tools. International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 1(4), 61–66. https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.7876800.svg.

Alajmi, Q., Al-Sharafi, M. A., & Abuali, A. (2020). Smart learning gateways for Omani HEIs towards educational technology: benefits, challenges and solutions. International Journal of Information Technology and Language Studies, 4(1), 12–17. https://journals.sfu.ca/ijitls/index.php/ijitls/article/view/123.

Atlas, S. (2023). ChatGPT for higher education and professional development: A guide to conversational AI. In College of Business Faculty Publications (Vol. 1). https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cba_facpubs/548/

Barkhuizen, G., Benson, P., & Chik, A. (2013). Narrative inquiry in language teaching and learning research. Routledge.

Baskara, R. (2023). Integrating ChatGPT into EFL writing instruction: Benefits and challenges. International Journal of Education and Learning, 5(1), 44–55. https://www.pubs2.ascee.org/index.php/ijele/article/view/858

Biswas, S. (2023). Role of Chat GPT in education. Available at SSRN 4369981.

Burkhard, M. (2022). Student perceptions of AI-Powered writing tools: Towards Individualized teaching strategies. Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age, CELDA 2022, Celda, 73–81. https://doi.org/10.33965/celda2022_202207l010

Chan, C. K. Y., & Hu, W. (2023). Students’ voices on generative AI: Perceptions, benefits, and challenges in higher education. arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.00290. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00411-8

Chu, H. C., Hwang, G. H., Tu, Y. F., & Yang, K. H. (2022). Roles and research trends of artificial intelligence in higher education: A systematic review of the top 50 most-cited articles. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 38(3), 22–42. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.7526

Cooper, G. (2023). Examining science education in ChatGPT: An exploratory study of generative Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32(3), 444–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-023-10039-y

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Pearson. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=4PywcQAACAAJ

Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence in higher education: The state of the field. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00392-8

Deng, J., & Lin, Y. (2023). The benefits and challenges of ChatGPT: An overview. Frontiers in Computing and Intelligent Systems, 2(2), 81–83. https://doi.org/10.54097/fcis.v2i2.4465

Dukewich, K., & Larsen, C. (2023). How are faculty reacting to ChatGPT?. Online Submission.

Dwivedi, Y. K., Kshetri, N., Hughes, L., Slade, E. L., Jeyaraj, A., Kar, A. K., Baabdullah, A. M., Koohang, A., Raghavan, V., Ahuja, M., Albanna, H., Albashrawi, M. A., Al-Busaidi, A. S., Balakrishnan, J., Barlette, Y., Basu, S., Bose, I., Brooks, L., Buhalis, D., … Wright, R. (2023). “So what if ChatGPT wrote it?” Multidisciplinary perspectives on opportunities, challenges and implications of generative conversational AI for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management, 71(March). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102642

Fauzi, F., Tuhuteru, L., Sampe, F., Ausat, A. M. A., & Hatta, H. R. (2023). Analysing the role of ChatGPT in improving student productivity in higher education. Journal on Education, 5(4), 14886–14891. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v5i4.2563

Fisk, R. (2023). The rise of ChatGPT and generative A.I. and what it means for schools. AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice, 20(1), 37. https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/molecules/molecules-25-04751/article_deploy/molecules-25-04751.pdf?version=1602847039

Fitria, T. N. (2023). Artifical Intelligence (AI) techology in OpenAI ChatGPT application: A review of ChatGPT in writing English essay. Journal of English Language Teaching, 6(1), 44–28. https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/elt/article/view/64069

George, A. S., George, A. S. H., & Martin, A. S. G. (2023). The environmental impact of AI: A case study of water consumption by Chat GPT. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 1(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7855594.

Gleason, N. (2022). ChatGPT and the rise of AI writers: How should higher education respond. Times Higher Education. Https://Www. Timeshighereducation. Com/Campus/Chatgpt-and-Rise-Ai-Writers-How-Should-Higher-Education-Respond.

Gregorcic, B., & Pendrill, A. M. (2023). ChatGPT and the frustrated Socrates. Physics Education, 58(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/acc299

Huang, X., Zou, D., Cheng, G., Chen, X., & Xie, H. (2023). Trends, research issues and applications of Artificial Intelligence in language education. Educational Technology and Society, 26(1), 112–131. https://doi.org/10.30191/ETS.202301_26(1).0009

Kalla, D., Candidate, D., Carolina, N., Smith, N., & Candidate, D. (2023). Study and analysis of Chat GPT and its impact on different fields of study. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 8(3), 827–833. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4402499.

Karthikeyan, C. (2023). Literature review on pros and cons of chatGPT implications in education. International Journal of Science and Research, 12(3), 283–291. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR23219122412

Koos, S., & Wachsmann, S. (2023). Navigating the impact of ChatGPT/GPT4 on legal academic examinations: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations. Media Iuris, 6(2), 255–270. https://doi.org/10.20473/mi.v6i2.45270

Kovačević, D. (2023). Use of ChatGPT in ESP teaching process. 2023 22nd International Symposium INFOTEH-JAHORINA (INFOTEH), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/INFOTEH57020.2023.10094133

Malinka, K., Peresíni, M., Firc, A., Hujnák, O., & Janus, F. (2023). On the educational impact of ChatGPT: Is artificial intelligence ready to obtain a university degree?. In Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 1 (pp. 47-53). https://doi.org/10.1145/3587102.3588827

Moore, J. L., Rosinski, P., Peeples, T., Pigg, S., Rife, M. C., Brunk-Chavez, B., Lackey, D., Rumsey, S. K., Tasaka, R., & Curran, P. (2016). Revisualizing composition: How first-year writers use composing technologies. Computers and Composition, 39, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2015.11.001.

Ntinda, K. (2019). Narrative research. Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences, 411–423.

Ortiz, S. (2023). What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? Here’s what you need to know. ZDNET. Retrieved July 29,2023 from https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-does-it-matter-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/

Owens, B. (2023). How Nature readers are using ChatGPT. Nature, 615(7950), 20. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2023Natur.615...20O/doi:10.1038/d41586-023-00500-8.

Peters, M., & Cadieux, A. (2019). Are Canadian professors teaching the skills and knowledge students need to prevent plagiarism? International Journal for Educational Integrity, 15, 1–16. 10.1007/s40979-019-0047-z.

Pocock, K. (2023). ChatGPT Price – how much is it? PC Guide. Retrieved July 31, 2023 from https://www.pcguide.com/apps/chat-gpt-price/

Sallam, M. (2023). ChatGPT utility in healthcare education, research, and practice: systematic review on the promising perspectives and valid concerns. Healthcare, 11(6), 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060887

Sharma, S., & Yadav, R. (2022). Chat GPT-A technological remedy or challenge for education system. Global Journal of Enterprise Information System, 14(4), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.18311/gjeis/2022

Sharples, M. (2022). Automated essay writing: An AIED opinion. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 32(4), 1119–1126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-022-00300-7

Shen, X., Chen, Z., Backes, M., & Zhang, Y. (2023). In ChatGPT we trust? Measuring and characterizing the reliability of ChatGPT. http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08979

Shidiq, M. (2023). The use of Artificial Intelligence-based Chat-GPT and Its challenges for the world of education; From the viewpoint of the development of creative writing skills. Society and Humanity, 01(01), 2023. https://ejournal.unuja.ac.id/index.php/icesh/article/view/5614

Shoufan, A. (2023). Exploring students’ perceptions of ChatGPT: Thematic analysis and follow-up survey. IEEE Access, 11(April), 38805–38818. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3268224

Xames, M. D., & Shefa, J. (2023). ChatGPT for research and publication: Opportunities and challenges. Available at SSRN 4381803.

Yeo-Teh, N. S. L., & Tang, B. L. (2023). Letter to Editor: NLP systems such as ChatGPT cannot be listed as an author because these cannot fulfill widely adopted authorship criteria. Accountability in Research, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2023.2177160

Yu, H. (2023). Reflection on whether Chat GPT should be banned by academia from the perspective of education and teaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1181712

Zhai, X. (2023). ChatGPT user experience: Implications for education. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4312418

Zhong, Y., Lian, J., & Huang, H. (2023). Uncovering the affordances of ChatGPT in education from a social-ecological perspective: A data mining approach. Available at SSRN 4518523.

Downloads

Published

2023-12-27

How to Cite

Syabilla, Z. F., Romadhon, M. G. E., & Mustofa, M. (2023). Are You Creative? What College-Level English Language Learners Think of AI Writing Assistants. Voices of English Language Education Society, 7(3), 456–470. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v7i3.21209