The Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (ICCS) is delighted to invite to join the guest lecture:
Topic: GenAI-Assisted Digital Multimodal Composing in Language Teacher Education
Speaker: Benjamin Luke Moorhouse, Department of English, City University of Hong Kong
Date & Time: March 31, 10 - 11:30 am
Venue: T5-105
Abstract
In this talk, I will share a study that explored how pre-service language teachers integrated GenAI tools into a Digital Multimodal Composing project (DMC), composing a website, at a Hong Kong university. It specifically explored their decision-making and cognitive engagement in the DMC process when they had autonomy in the use of GenAI tools. Drawing on a social practice perspective of literacy, the research explores the ways in which GenAI supports or complicates multimodal composing, and the professional learning outcomes for language pre-service teachers. Data were collected through group and individual interviews with stimulated recall, and analysis of group project websites. Findings reveal that all ten participating groups used GenAI tools, though in selective and strategic ways influenced by perceptions of tool efficiency, capabilities, authenticity, meaning-making, and desired degree of involvement. GenAI was employed both for creating multimodal content (e.g., images, videos, summaries) and as a partner in the composing process (e.g., idea generation, feedback).
The DMC project fostered creativity, digital literacy, and critical reflection, with participants reporting increased confidence in multimodal and AI-assisted pedagogies. However, concerns about AI reliability and contextual constraints in future teaching environments were identified. The study highlights the importance of experiential learning, explicit guidance, and ethical awareness for integrating AI and DMC in language teacher education, offering practical implications for curriculum design in the GenAI era.
We look forward to your participation!
Warm regards,
Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (ICCS)
