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- 21.11.2024 - 13:12 

Overcoming Challenges in Academic Writing: An AI-Based Feedback Tool to Support Students

Academic writing poses significant challenges for many students, particularly for those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Often, they lack sufficient feedback to enhance their writing skills and achieve academic success. Professor Isabel Fischer from the University of Warwick introduced a self-developed AI-based feedback tool during her research presentation at the Institute for Information Systems (IWI). Designed through four development cycles between 2019 and 2024, this tool aims to assist students in independently improving their writing skills.

How Does the Tool Work?

The tool leverages artificial intelligence (AI), specifically models like BERT (a language model), to analyze students' texts. It offers various visualizations, such as:

  • Word Clouds: Displays frequently used words.
  • Section Length Comparison: Helps check the balance between different parts of the text.
  • Knowledge Graphs: Illustrates relationships within the text.

These features support students in identifying weaknesses in their writing and improving their texts systematically.

Positive Reception Before ChatGPT

Before the emergence of ChatGPT, a well-known generative AI model, the tool was well-received by students. Workshops revealed that particularly motivated students used the tool and benefited from it. While there were indications that their writing skills improved, it remained unclear whether this was directly attributable to the tool.

Challenges After the Introduction of ChatGPT

The introduction of ChatGPT altered user behavior. While students continued to provide positive feedback, they used the tool less frequently. Possible reasons include:

  • Misunderstandings About AI: Many now equate AI with generative AI like ChatGPT, leading to confusion about the tool’s actual purpose.
  • Increased Expectations: Advanced AI models like ChatGPT have raised students' expectations for user-friendliness and feature sets.
  • Concerns: The term "AI" can evoke fears or reservations among both students and institutions.

Overcoming Resistance

Professor Fischer emphasized that resistance often arises from stakeholders not directly involved in the tool's development, who tend to perceive risks more strongly than benefits. Additionally, an in-house developed tool competes with major edtech companies, making adoption more challenging.

Conclusion and Outlook

Professor Isabel Fischer's presentation highlighted the importance of supporting academic writing, especially for students without a family background in academia. Technological solutions can make a valuable contribution if implemented and communicated effectively. To maximize their impact, it is crucial to address misunderstandings, enhance usability, and clearly communicate the benefits. By doing so, tools like these can help reduce educational barriers and foster academic success for a broader student population.

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