AI-Generated Feedback in EFL Writing as Good as Human: Proof is Here
In the 21st century, English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching has undergone a profound transformation, shaped by technological advancements that continue to redefine the classroom experience. We have gone through some very helpful tech tools in our previous blogpost, highlighting how they can enhance teaching and make our teachers' lives a little better. But this blogpost is about the full potential to radically transform our lives, a potential that has already started becoming a reality.
Teachers, who have integrated corrected.ai in their EFL work for the past 2 years report that their students' writings can show for it. This includes steady improvements in their students' learning and significantly higher retention of course material, measurable gains in overall learning outcomes, and marked increases in exam success rates. Research consistently shows the potential of AI tools to enhance learning outcomes. For example, McKinsey & Company found in a 2022 study that AI-assisted learning tools improved student engagement and retention by up to 20%. Similarly, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning revealed that students who received AI-generated feedback on essays exhibited faster improvements in writing skills compared to those who relied solely on teacher feedback. These findings underscore the value of these tools when implemented effectively.
Indeed, the 2020 study presents research examining how generative AI tools, specifically GPT-4 (ChatGPT), can be ethically and effectively integrated into English as a foreign language (EFL) writing instruction. Drawing on two longitudinal studies, the first employed a six-week repeated measures quasi-experimental design involving 48 EFL learners, comparing learning outcomes when writing feedback was generated by GPT-4 versus feedback provided by a human tutor; the results indicated no significant differences in the learners’ improvement, proving practically that an auto-correction tool can in fact provide the appropriate and equally effective feedback to EFL learners. The second study examined the perceptions of 43 EFL learners who experienced feedback from both GPT-4 and a human tutor, revealing a nearly even split in preference and suggesting distinct strengths associated with each feedback source. These findings suggest that AI-generated feedback can be incorporated into EFL writing evaluation without compromising learning outcomes, while also highlighting the value of integrating both human and AI inputs.
By addressing generative AI as an automatic essay evaluator and incorporating learner perspectives, the above research contributes insights into the judicious blending of human and AI feedback in educational contexts. In this sense, tools like corrected.ai can become the next step in effectively incorporating AI in a human-centred and human-driven process; it removes the menial side of correcting a written assignment in a timely and highest-quality manner, while providing both the teacher and the student with the resource to further advance the learning in the classroom.
The long-term benefits of integrating AI and other technologies into language teaching have at last started to be studied and proven to be substantial. Automating routine tasks increases efficiency, enabling educators to spend more time engaging with students. And regarding feedback on writing specifically, we can now confidently state that:
- When students get feedback 24-48 hours after finishing their written work, they stay engaged longer, learn faster and remember more
- AI generated feedback can be equally good as human feedback
- AI generated feedback provides individual corrections and advice in a timely manner. This personalized approach has proven to engage students more effectively, increasing retention considerably
- Learners have shown to learn better through a blend of human and AI generated feedback
Ultimately, the integration of AI and other technological tools empowers educators rather than replaces them. By embracing these innovations, EFL teachers can enhance their teaching practices, improve learning outcomes for their students, and secure their role as leaders in modern pedagogy. As technology continues to evolve, the question is not whether it will shape the classroom but how teachers can best leverage its potential to create meaningful learning experiences.
The future of education is here, and teachers who adapt will find themselves empowered, not replaced, by these advancements.
References:
- McKinsey & Company (2022): https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/how-technology-is-shaping-learning-in-higher-education
- AI-generated feedback on writing: insights into efficacy and ENL student preference, Juan Escalante, Austin Pack, & Alex Barrett: International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education volume 20, Article number: 57
- Teachers’ digital technology use after a period of online teaching, Benjamin Luke Moorhouse: ELT Journal, Volume 77, Issue 4, October 2023, Pages 445–457, Published: 06 January 2023
- McKinsey & Company (2021): https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/setting-a-new-bar-for-online-higher-education
