Examining the roles of social presence and human-likeness on Iranian EFL learners’ motivation using artificial intelligence technology: a case of CSIEC chatbot

ABSTRACT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the educational context, particularly chatbotics, has made significant changes in learning English. This mixed-methods study is intended to explore university students’ attitudes toward the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted mobile applications. Meanwhile, the role of social presence and human-likeness on learner motivation was examined through a chatbot lens. A total of 256 English as a foreign language (EFL) learners interacted with a chatbot known as Computer Simulation in Educational Communication (CSIEC). Participants’ audio-recorded practices, transcriptions, three scales of social presence, learner motivation, and human-likeness, along with a semi-structured focus group interview, were used to collect data, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis. Moreover, thematic analysis was adopted to explore the participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward using CSIES. The quantitative results indicated that learner motivation was significantly predicted by social presence and human-likeness. The thematic analysis of qualitative data reflected that the attributed descriptions to the CSIEC teacher enhanced learners’ motivation, eagerness, and confidence to learn English. The findings of this study may be used to guide future research in using chatbots outside the classroom to serve as learning companions, and educators can utilize them to tailor assessment and feedback procedures.

KEYWORDS:

• Chatbot
• artificial intelligence
• learner motivation
• human-likeness
• SEM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Saman Ebadi

Saman Ebadi is an associate professor in Applied Linguistics at Razi University, Iran. His research focuses on CALL, dynamic assessment, qualitative research, and sociocultural theory. He has published extensively in both international journals (e.g. Computer Assisted Language Learning, Interactive Learning Environments, Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, Cogent Education, etc.) and local journals. He has also presented in both international conferences (e.g. XVIII International CALL Research Conference, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Southwest Association for Language Learning and Technology (SWALT) conference, Portland, Oregon, USA and CALICO 2011, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada) and national conferences.

Asieh Amini

Asieh Amini is a PhD candidate of Applied Linguistics at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. Her main research interest is L2 teacher education and Computer Assisted Language Learning. She has already published several papers in international and local journals.