ENHANCING LEARNING OUTCOMES IN WRITTEN PRODUCTION BY IMPLEMENTING WRITING STRATEGIES AND USING AI WRITING TOOLS

Abstract

Today’s workforce is more interconnected because information technology and the Internet have transformed the workplace. Communicating clearly and effectively has never been more important than it is today. Life-changing critical judgments about writers are made solely on the basis of their writing abilities. Messages travel fast to distant locations, reaching massive audiences with minimal expense and effort. Companies tend to have a diverse workforce, and team members collaborate even when physically apart. In such a hyperconnected world, writing matters more than ever. Digital media require more written communication, and employees’ skills are always on display. As a result, employers seek workers with a broader range of skills and higher levels of knowledge in their field. Research indicates that many graduates enter the workforce with insufficient business skills. The University of Economics in Bratislava and Trnava University in Trnava are determined to contribute to an educated workforce prepared for a fast-paced global economy. Research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Student assignments were collected via Moodle, then briefly analysed and screened for AI use. Based on the outcomes of communicative language activities done in the courses in English for Specific Purposes and English for Academic Purposes, the paper aims to find out if 79 students made progress, considering their study results. Using a t-test, their pre-test and post-test results show that the differences are statistically significant. Findings have also revealed that while some students rely heavily on AI tools during writing, others do not. In practice, students need to be taught how to use them to avoid resorting to plagiarism. Future research should be focused on investigating what AI tools they use to help them improve their career prospects.