Date
Publisher
arXiv
Natural language generation (NLG) is a process within artificial intelligence
where computer systems produce human-comprehensible language texts from
information. English as a foreign language (EFL) students' use of NLG tools
might facilitate their idea generation, which is fundamental to creative
writing. However, little is known about how EFL students interact with NLG
tools to generate ideas. This study explores strategies adopted by EFL students
when searching for ideas using NLG tools, evaluating ideas generated by NLG
tools and selecting NLG tools for ideas generation. Four Hong Kong secondary
school students attended workshops where they learned to write stories
comprising their own words and words generated by NLG tools. After the
workshops, they answered questions to reflect on their writing experience with
NLG tools. In a thematic analysis of the written reflections, we found students
may have existing ideas when searching for ideas and evaluating ideas with NLG
tools. Students showed some aversion to ideas generated by NLG tools and
selected NLG tools that generated a greater quantity of ideas. The findings
inform our understanding of EFL students' concerns when using NLG tools for
idea generation and can inform educators' instruction to implement NLG tools
for classroom creative writing.
Study at a glance
- Question: How do English language learners use AI tools to help generate ideas for creative writing?
- Setting and data: Creative writing workshops with four secondary school English as a foreign language students in Hong Kong.
- Method: Thematic analysis of students' written reflections.
Why it matters
Using natural language generation tools might facilitate idea generation for English as a foreign language students, which is fundamental to creative writing. However, little is known about how these students interact with these tools to generate ideas.
Key findings
- Four Hong Kong secondary school English learners practicing creative writing showed some aversion to ideas generated by artificial intelligence tools.
- Students may have existing ideas when searching for and evaluating ideas using artificial intelligence tools.
- Students selected artificial intelligence tools that generated a greater quantity of ideas.
Summary drafted with AI from the paper’s abstract and may contain errors. See the full paper for details.
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