Anna Korchak’s Internship in Shanghai: Exploring the Role of Generative AI in Student Group Work
As part of the internship, Anna worked on data collection and analysis for a study investigating the controlled use of GenAI by student groups when completing academic writing tasks. Students were invited to interact with a specially designed virtual assistant—an AI chatbot built on the WeCom platform—by asking questions and seeking advice while working on group assignments.
The study examined the relationship between using AI for substantive tasks, Socially Shared Regulation of Learning (SSRL) and developing students’ research skills.
Anna collected a variety of empirical data, such as questionnaires, students' written reflections on using GenAI and group chat logs. She also conducted preliminary data analysis and discussed the research methodology with leading scholars at East China Normal University.
This data, along with the refined methodology, will form the empirical basis of her dissertation project, 'Students' perceptions of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of the feedback provided to them in the preparation of writing assignments', which is being supervised by Jamie Costley. The data is also expected to result in joint publications with colleagues from the Laboratory on GenAI in higher education.
The internship was an important step in strengthening the international academic cooperation between the HSE Institute of Education and East China Normal University. We extend our appreciation to colleagues at ECNU for their warm welcome and wish Anna success in her research!
