Marzo 2026
DOI
ISSN
3091-180X
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197
experiences and autonomous practice when pedagogical guidance is provided. Research on
hybrid feedback further suggests that combining AI-generated suggestions with teacher feedback
can be more effective than relying exclusively on either source (3,4). Student perceptions
constitute another relevant dimension. Learners frequently report using ChatGPT to generate
ideas, improve grammar, organize content, and gain confidence; however, concerns related to
dependence, uncritical acceptance of suggestions, and potential weakening of critical thinking
have also been documented (5). Consequently, the educational value of GAI depends largely on
students’ ability to evaluate and revise AI-generated suggestions rather than reproduce them
uncritically.
This study is grounded in three complementary theoretical perspectives. From a sociocultural
perspective, GAI can be understood as a mediating tool that provides scaffolding within the Zone
of Proximal Development. From a process-writing perspective, written production is conceived as
a recursive activity involving planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing—stages in which
AI can offer targeted support. Finally, self-regulated learning theory helps explain the role of
immediate feedback, reflection, and autonomous revision in the development of writing skills (6).
Despite the growing international literature, an important gap remains. Much of the existing
evidence comes from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and focuses primarily on intermediate or
advanced learners, or on students specializing in English. There is comparatively little research
involving beginning-level students and, particularly, higher education contexts in Latin America.
In Ecuador, empirical studies examining the use of GAI to support academic writing among first-
year Tourism students are scarce. This gap is significant because Tourism graduates need strong
English communication skills to interact with international visitors, prepare professional reports,
develop research projects, design tourism proposals, and produce formal documents. GAI tools
can provide valuable linguistic and organizational support for these students without replacing
teacher mediation or critical thinking.
The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of GAI tools (ChatGPT and Microsoft
Copilot) on the academic writing skills of English I students in the Tourism program at ESPOCH.
Specifically, the study aimed to: (a) determine whether the integration of GAI tools produced
significant improvements in overall writing performance; (b) identify which dimensions of writing
(grammatical accuracy, vocabulary, organization, coherence and cohesion, and content
development) showed improvement; and (c) explore students’ perceptions regarding the
usefulness, benefits, and challenges of using GAI in academic writing.
It was hypothesized that the guided use of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot would lead to a
statistically significant improvement in students’ academic writing performance.
185
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA
+593 97 911 9620