Researchers to investigate the use of Generative AI by non-english speaking students in tertiary education
Author
Date 17 March 2025
Associate Professor Michelle Riedlinger from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at QUT along with colleagues Dr Xiaoting Yu and Dr Mimi Tsai, have secured funding to investigate the factors driving non-english speaking backgrounds (NESB) students’ uses of GenAI and strategies to improve learning outcomes in applying AI ethically and professionally.
The study will take place as a longitudinal study of master’s students using a combination of sprint interviews and follow-up discussions.
“We’re grappling with how higher education, the Australian research community and the professional communication sector are responding to these technologies and so we’re excited to investigate these understudied use cases, which are so important for our students,” says Associate Professor Riedlinger.
The findings from this study are expected to have potential benefits for international students across various programs at QUT.
Dr Mimi Tsai, a co-researcher on the project and QUT Learning Designer, explained that the study aims to reduce added stress experienced by NESB students.
“NESB students already balance new professional commitments, visa restrictions, unfamiliar educational systems, and the need for stronger industry connections and enhanced digital skills,” she said.
Dr Xiaoting Yu, an Affiliate Investigator from the Digital Media Research Centre at QUT and the lead researcher on the project, emphasised the importance of the study for filling gaps in higher education research.
“Although there has been significant research on GenAI in tertiary education, little attention has been given to master’s coursework students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds,” she said.
The anticipated outcomes of the study include the development of an adaptable framework that addresses the needs of NESB student cohorts, with broad applicability across the faculty’s undergraduate and master’s programs.
This study Investigating the Generative AI capabilities and needs of students from non-English speaking backgrounds: A longitudinal study of master students’ evolving engagement with AI at QUT has received funding through QUT’s CIESJ Learning and Teaching seed funding scheme.
