AProgram Based on Connectivism Theory via Artificial Intelligence Applications for enhancing EFL Writing Skills and Online Academic Engagement of Freshmen Students at Faculty of Education

This research is conducted to investigate the effectiveness of using a program based on connectivism theory via Artificial intelligence applications (Grammarly and QuillBot) for enhancing freshmen students’ EFL writing skills and online academic engagement. The research followed a pre-post experimental one group design. The research sample was 46 first year students enrolled in English Language section, Faculty of Education, Benha University. A checklist of EFL writing skills was submitted and validated to identify the suitable and essential skills for the research members. A pre-post EFL writing skills test and online academic engagement scale were designed. Students were pre-assessed to identify their admission level of EFL writing skills and their online academic engagement. Then, they were trained through the suggested program on how to develop their writing skills (content, organization, development of ideas and language usage). The post-test was administered to measure the improvement in EFL writing skills and online academic engagement. Findings of the research showed that there was statistically a significant difference at 0.01 in the pre- and post-assessment of EFL writing skills and online academic engagement in favour of the post-assessment. .