Developing an AI framework for learning in higher education: a humanities perspective from English Literature

Little is known about how to develop frameworks for using AI to support learning in English Literature within higher education. This paper presents research that developed a framework for employing AI in the study of the fourteenth-century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Studying Chaucer presents challenges for modern readers, as it requires an understanding of his literary style, spoken Middle English, and the cultural and social context of the late medieval period. The research investigated how AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Amazon Polly, could support the study of Chaucer. It found that while AI can assist with students' initial familiarisation with Chaucer's poetry, it lacks the depth and rigour necessary for more advanced study. As a result, students and lecturers still rely on traditional resources, including authoritative print-based and digital scholarly editions. Consequently, the research developed a framework for studying Chaucer's poetry that integrates the guided use of AI through active learning with additional supporting resources, such as digital scholarly editions.