Teaching English literature to undergraduate students can be challenging nowadays, particularly as students lack experience in reading and analysing poetry or literary texts from specific time periods. This issue is even more complex for students studying English as a foreign language. To address this challenge, we implemented a disruptive tool aimed at enhancing student motivation and improving their understanding of course content. This paper presents the outcomes of two studies that incorporated AI (ChatGPT) as a learning tool in undergraduate English literature courses. These teaching activities were conducted as part of two first-year literature modules in the Bachelor's Degree in English Studies at Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain.
The primary research objectives were to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT as a learning tool, explore the advantages and limitations of integrating technology in the English literature classroom, and investigate the influence of teaching innovation on student engagement and learning outcomes. By incorporating ChatGPT into the classes, students had the opportunity to improve their ability to communicate complex ideas and interpretations, express well-informed opinions about literary texts, develop interpersonal communication and teamwork skills, refine their literary analysis and critical thinking abilities, and enhance their technological proficiency and digital professionalism. A mixed-methods approach was followed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis. Specifically, data was collected through an online survey that included open-ended questions and Likert scale items.
The general results were clearly positive towards the use of AI in class, in the sense that, according to students’ perceptions, the activity with ChatGPT has helped them gain a better understanding of the elements of English literature as well as it helped them consolidate the course content learnt in previous sessions. Moreover, the students found the use of AI in academic setting motivating. The findings shed light on the potential motivational benefits of utilizing ChatGPT as a valuable tool for enhancing the teaching and learning of English literature in undergraduate courses. These insights can inform future pedagogical approaches and contribute to the advancement of technology integration in literature education.

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Abstract Summary
Teaching English literature at undergraduate level can be challenging nowadays, as students lack experience in analysing poetry or literary texts. It is even more complex for non-native students. This paper presents the outcomes of two studies that incorporated AI (ChatGPT) in undergraduate English literature courses in the Bachelor's Degree in English Studies at Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain. The primary research objectives were to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT as a learning tool, explore the advantages and limitations of integrating technology in the English literature classroom, and investigate the influence of teaching innovation on student engagement and learning outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was followed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis. The general results were clearly positive towards the use of AI in class. The insights stemming from both studies can inform future pedagogical approaches and contribute to the advancement of technology integration in literature education.

Authors:
Andrea Roxanna Bellot, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
Katarzyna Baran, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
Mar Gutiérrez-Colón, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain

About the Presenter(s)
-Andrea Roxana Bellot lectures at Rovira i Virgili University, Spain. Her research focuses on the cultural and literary representations of conflict, the development of intercultural competence and recently on the use of AI in the literary classroom.
-Katarzyna Baran lectures at Rovira i Virgili University, Spain. Her research focuses on memory, trauma, science-fiction, utopian and dystopian literature and recently on the use of AI in the literary classroom.

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