Understanding English as a Foreign Language Students’ Idea Generation Strategies for Creative Writing With Natural Language Generation Tools

Abstract

Text generation is a function of artificial intelligence (AI) natural language processing. It can become an integral part of a human’s creative writing process. Importantly, a youths can learn to apply text generation in mainstream education and become better prepared for an AI-enhanced creative writing job and other writing endeavors. To explores how a student applies text generation to creative writing, we designed and implemented a 1st Human-AI Creative Writing Contest in a Hong Kong secondary school. In this contest, a student wrote a short story of up to 500-words using the student’s own words and words from any of four text generators designed for the contest and built on open-source language models. Additionally, using design-based research, we developed seven workshops where students wrote with text generators and answered reflection questions. In analyzing four students’ short stories, their reflections and adjudicators' scores for the stories, we found different strategies in terms of the number and the type of text generator words that students used. Some strategies appeared more sophisticated than others. We also found differences in sophistication when students described text generator input and output. Besides, students showed preferences for text generators; and they expressed a range of feelings when writing with text generators. The findings provide design implications not only for text generators in formal schooling but also for AI curriculum.

Utilizing artificial intelligence tools for improving writing skills: Exploring Omani EFL learners’ perspectives

“…This means that students use these tools more when they are in need of enhancing their overall writing, regardless of their perceptions. In the same way, this finding relates to studies conducted by Dong (2023), Hwang and Nurtantyana (2022), Yang (2007), Woo et al (2023). These studies on AI tools in education have demonstrated significant potential for improving writing proficiency among EFL learners.…”

“…In addition to these benefits, Ali (2020) argued that the utilization of AI in education facilitates a shift towards a student-centered approach, resulting in the empowerment of learners. The utilization of AI tools in education has shown great potential for enhancing writing proficiency among English as EFL learners (Dong, 2023;Hwang and Nurtantyana, 2022;Yang, 2007;Woo et al, 2023). Godwin-Jones (2022) maintained that AI-powered writing tools can significantly enhance the quality of learners' written compositions.…”

A systematic review of ChatGPT use in K‐12 education

“…ChatGPT's rapid feedback and interactive learning experiences enriched the students' educational journey by boosting motivation, engagement, and better information retention (Mogavi et al., 2023; Murgia et al., 2023). Furthermore, the introduction of ChatGPT into education has shown the potential to reduce language barriers and enhance student accessibility (Lou, 2023;Othman, 2023; Woo et al., 2023). These findings demonstrate ChatGPT's revolutionary potential as an innovative and helpful tool to enhance and enrich the learning process in K‐12 educational environments, as well as being relevant steps in co‐design for learning.…”

“…In addition, ChatGPT can be used to prepare lessons by providing valuable insights, resources, and teaching strategies, thereby making the process of lesson planning more efficient and effective (Bekeš & Galzina, 2023; Küchemann et al., 2023; Lou, 2023). ChatGPT can assist teachers in many ways as instructional assistants, such as by addressing common inquiries, facilitating discussions, and providing students with immediate feedback (Alneyadi & Wardat, 2023; Dao, Le, Phan, et al., 2023; Murgia et al., 2023; Woo et al., 2023). Another significant implication for educators is the preparation of assignments and tests (Alneyadi & Wardat, 2023).…”

“…For learners, ChatGPT functions as a personal tutor, providing personalised guidance and support (Alneyadi & Wardat, 2023; Harrison et al., 2023; Mogavi et al., 2023; Murgia et al., 2023). Through its interactive features, the tool can provide instant feedback, boost conceptual understanding, and function as a language‐learning companion to promote conversational proficiency (Othman, 2023; Woo et al., 2023). Support for students with disabilities or special educational needs (SEN) is one of the most significant aspects.…”