Revolutionizing Assessment: Leveraging ChatGPT for Automated Item Generation: An AI Driven Exploratory Study with EFL Teachers

Abstract

ChatGPT is gaining widespread acceptance in many disciplines since its launch at the end of 2022. The impact of ChatGPT on education is evident, but there is a dearth of knowledge on how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers benefit from this technology. Therefore, this study investigates the use of ChatGPT to generate exam questions among EFL educators in Saudi Arabia. Through a mixed-methods approach that included an online questionnaire and an experimental design, the study attempted to gain insights from educators on using artificial intelligence (AI) technology for assessment. An online questionnaire was shared with 200 public school EFL teachers at various grade levels in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The findings revealed a varied landscape of perspectives, with some educators approving ChatGPT’s efficiency in generating exam questions, whereas others expressed concerns about its limited application. A further examination of the instructor-designed and ChatGPT-generated test items revealed that ChatGPT has the potential to stimulate critical thinking and expand assessment formats. The results indicate that educators require professional development to leverage AI technology responsibly. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of navigating the emerging ChatGPT in EFL classrooms to ensure reliability and consistency of the evaluation process.