Speaker
Description
This presentation provides an update on developments of a new university-level English course with a high proficiency enrollment requirement (IELTS 7+). The course, which was initially designed before the emergence of tools like ChatGPT, made revisions in Year 1 in response to the university’s stance to encourage AI use as it is a university of science and technology. These course developments were first introduced in a JALTCALL 2023 presentation. This JALTCALL 2024 presentation will focus on current GenAI-related revisions in Year 2 and future changes.
The presentation will begin with a short overview of this academic literacy course. As an outcome-based course, a key expectation is for students to learn how to research topics using the university library’s electronic databases, to find and synthesize sources for academic writing and speaking tasks, and to incorporate research correctly (e.g., avoiding plagiarism, using lateral reading skills to verify sources, understanding how to cite and reference sources). The course thus focuses on activities that bridge gaps in students’ research experiences and with new issues raised by GenAI (e.g., hallucinated sources, using AI as a source or tool, considerations for citing and referencing). A few examples of lessons and activities will be shared.
After the overview, the presentation will continue with feedback from the course developers, teachers, and students. This will include self-reported GenAI use in post-assessment questionnaires by approximately 700 students. A summary of insights and experiences from teachers and students on incorporating GenAI in instruction and assessments will focus on points that may be useful to others developing similar courses or activities.
The session will end with a short discussion questioning what academic literacy skills are needed for our 21st-century learners conducting research online and using GenAI.
| Keywords | academic literacy, academic writing |
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