Integrating prompt writing into the curriculum: Insights into Postgraduate EAP Students' GenAI Prompting Practices

Abstract

<p>While related literature indicates that GenAI can enhance academic writing, students can only <br>reap these benefits through effective prompts. It is crucial to understand best practices for <br>teaching students to develop such prompts, critically evaluate and utilize AI-generated feedback, <br>understand GenAI’s limitations, and utilize human instructors in the writing process. This study <br>investigates these issues and provides guidelines for instructors. <br>In the study, EAP instructors focused on effective use of GenAI, including prompt <br>writing. Students reported the prompts they used, the GenAI responses, and how they applied the <br>responses in two writing tasks. After the second writing task, they also reflected on their use of <br>prompts over the semester, demonstrating their learning and any changes in their prompting <br>behavior. Content analysis is underway to reveal patterns and changes in the behaviors of <br>interest. The findings will support EAP instructors’ ability to foster AI literacy and support selfdirected learning<br></p>