Behind the Curtain

A Mixed Methods Study of Multilingual Graduate Students’ Experiences with AI-Assisted Writing Tools

Abstract

Turnitin has historically been utilized as a tool for instructors to check similarity scores for student work with little to no visibility for students. This study explores the outcomes and experiences of multilingual graduate students utilizing Turnitin’s AI-assisted writing tools, grammar advice, and citation feedback within two separate Canvas online learning courses.

A single cohort of graduate students will have access to two separate pedagogical models which incorporate Turnitin for low stakes writing assessments. The first model presents a traditional usage of Turnitin  which does not allow students to access their similarity scores on assignment feedback. The second model allows open access to the Turnitin database, enabling students to submit writing samples to receive similarity scores as well as AI assisted grammar feedback from Turnitin throughout the course. 

Results will consist of data collected via surveys of student outcomes and qualitative interviews with student participants. This study will collect data in two separate courses. Participants will then be selected for interviews to further explore their experiences with the different pedagogical assignment structures.

These results will be used to further understand the differing experiences of multilingual students compared to students whose first language is English while utilizing AI-assisted writing tools. Student outcomes and experiences will show if multilingual graduate students experience or benefit from Turnitin AI assisted writing tools differently than English as a first language graduate students in low stakes writing assignments.