Paradigm Shift in Chinese Writing Assessment through AI-Powered Automated Writing Evaluation

Overview

The first part of the seminar will discuss the challenges of traditional writing feedback, highlighting the issues associated with in-depth written feedback such as time consumption, lack of follow-up, and interactivity, which ultimately diminish the effectiveness of feedback.

The second part will explore the potential applications of AI-based grading tools, using international software as examples.

The third section will introduce a local AI educational support tool designed for Chinese language courses along with its application in instructional design for writing classes.

The fourth part will present the results of action research, discussing how Automated Writing Evaluation tool (AWE) can enhance writing skills and motivation in local secondary classrooms and how AI can facilitate a paradigm shift in writing instruction and feedback.　

AWE tools can foster learning and teaching by:
1. providing immediate feedback, facilitating revisions and formative assessments;
2. tracking students' mistakes, offering personalised exercises through AI to promote independent learning; and
3. creating space for differentiated instruction, enhancing teacher-student interactions

Participants of this seminar will:
1. reconsider the role of teachers in writing instruction and feedback;
2. evaluate the traditional paradigm of written feedback to enhance its effectiveness; and
3. consider the necessity of integrating technology to address existing learning and teaching challenges, and to increase technological pedagogical content knowledge.