THE IMPACT OF AI-ASSISTED SELF-REGULATED LEARNING, SPECIFICALLY CHATGPT, ON STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT AND WRITING SKILL ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

This experimental mixed-method study investigates factors influencing students’ engagement with AI-assisted language learning tools, specifically ChatGPT, and explores how this contributes to their writing skill enhancement. To problematize the phenomena, the study draws on (i) survey-based quantitative data from 100 conveniently sampled BS-level students, and (ii) quantitative as well as qualitative data from pre-post-tests, conducted on 25 randomly sampled students from the survey pool. The research design is based on the theoretical framework of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). It implements the three self-regulated learning phases—forethought, performance, and self-reflection—in the experimental group. Non-normal data sets, evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test, prompted the use of non-parametric tests. Hence, the survey findings are based on the non-parametric tests, including Kruskan-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U. In the survey findings, the factors, motivation, efficacy, efficiency and satisfaction, emerge as equally effective factors in students’ engagement with ChatGPT, while knowledge and expressiveness have varied effects on students according to their levels of proficiency. The scores from the pre-post-tests are examined to assess learners’ improvement in writing by using the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test. It reveals a highly significant improvement in learners’ writing skills with a Z-score of -3.835 and asymptotic significance of .000, indicating that 80 per cent of participants improved their scores in the post-test. The qualitative analysis, based on the Cambridge English Assessment rubric, shows that with the treatment of ChatGPT, content and communicative achievement surface as the most notably enhanced areas in writing skills. Concordant with the qualitative analysis, the quantitative analysis confirms the positive influence of students’ engagement with ChatGPT for learning English and improvement in English writing skills, offering valuable insights for educators and learners.