{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,10]],"date-time":"2026-04-10T17:22:57Z","timestamp":1775841777103,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]],"date-time":"2025-06-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750464000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Information"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This systematic literature review examines how artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated tools are being used to scaffold writing instruction for K-12 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, with a particular focus on preserving student agency and creativity. Drawing from sociocultural and cognitive theories of writing, this study synthesizes findings from 14 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2018 and 2024. Studies were analyzed using a thematic synthesis approach to identify how AI tools function as cognitive supports, creative collaborators, and language enhancement systems. The results reveal that AI tools, when implemented thoughtfully, can reduce cognitive load, foster ideation, and support self-regulated learning without undermining student autonomy. Three major categories of AI scaffolding emerged, i.e., cognitive support tools (e.g., grammar correction, idea organization), creative support systems (e.g., story generation, narrative feedback), and language enhancement tools (e.g., vocabulary expansion, stylistic refinement). Key themes include the importance of balancing AI support with student decision making, aligning tool use with theoretical models, and ensuring equitable access. Limitations in the current literature include short-term study durations, a lack of standardized metrics for creativity and agency, and the predominance of research in EFL contexts. Future research should expand on ESL settings, adopt rigorous methodologies, and explore long-term impacts on writing development.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/info16070519","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,23]],"date-time":"2025-06-23T07:42:34Z","timestamp":1750664554000},"page":"519","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":15,"title":["AI-Integrated Scaffolding to Enhance Agency and Creativity in K-12 English Language Learners: A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-6678-3724","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Molly","family":"Li","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Education, University of Delaware, Willard Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7192-3510","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joshua","family":"Wilson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Education, University of Delaware, Willard Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.system.2018.02.004","article-title":"Gauging the association of EFL learners\u2019 writing proficiency and their use of metaphorical language","volume":"74","author":"Hoang","year":"2018","journal-title":"System"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, X., and Ren, R. (2024). Language barriers and social-emotional learning (SEL) in Australian higher education: Addressing challenges for Chinese international students. Int. J. New Dev. Educ., 6.","DOI":"10.25236\/IJNDE.2024.061105"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"764","DOI":"10.1177\/0033688220966632","article-title":"Integrating technology into ESL\/EFL writing through Grammarly","volume":"53","author":"Barrot","year":"2022","journal-title":"RELC J."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"166","DOI":"10.24093\/awej\/vol14no3.11","article-title":"EFL students\u2019 perception of using AI paraphrasing tools in English language research projects","volume":"14","author":"Alammar","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arab World Engl. J."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"2236469","article-title":"The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students\u2019 writing: EFL teachers\u2019 perspective","volume":"10","author":"Marzuki","year":"2023","journal-title":"Inf. Commun. Technol. Educ."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"183","article-title":"Exploring AI-generated text in student writing: How does AI help?","volume":"28","author":"Woo","year":"2024","journal-title":"Lang. Learn. Technol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Song, C., and Song, Y. (2023). Enhancing academic writing skills and motivation: Assessing the efficacy of ChatGPT in AI-assisted language learning for EFL students. Front. Psychol., 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2023.1260843"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Clark, E., Ross, A.S., Tan, C., Ji, Y., and Smith, N.A. (2018, January 7\u201311). Creative writing with a machine in the loop: Case studies on slogans and stories. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces, Tokyo, Japan.","DOI":"10.1145\/3172944.3172983"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"258","DOI":"10.1515\/jccall-2023-0008","article-title":"AI-writing tools in education: If you can\u2019t beat them, join them","volume":"3","author":"Tseng","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. China Comput.-Assist. Lang. Learn."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1301","DOI":"10.1080\/02602938.2022.2042792","article-title":"Learner experience in artificial intelligence-scaffolded argumentation","volume":"47","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"Assess. Eval. High. Educ."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Castillo-Mart\u00ednez, I.M., Flores-Bueno, D., G\u00f3mez-Puente, S.M., and Vite-Le\u00f3n, V.O. (2024). AI in higher education: A systematic literature review. Front. Educ., 9.","DOI":"10.3389\/feduc.2024.1391485"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-023-00436-z","article-title":"A meta systematic review of artificial intelligence in higher education: A call for increased ethics, collaboration, and rigour","volume":"21","author":"Bond","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"22","article-title":"Roles and research trends of artificial intelligence in higher education: A systematic review of the top 50 most-cited articles","volume":"38","author":"Chu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Australas. J. Educ. Technol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.18488\/61.v11i1.3253","article-title":"The adaptation and validation of the global competence scale among educational psychology students","volume":"11","author":"Zheldibayeva","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Pract."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e31053","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2024.e31053","article-title":"Investigating the integration of artificial intelligence in English as foreign language classes for enhancing learners\u2019 affective factors: A systematic review","volume":"10","author":"AlTwijri","year":"2024","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"Cole, M., Jolm-Steiner, V., Scribner, S., and Souberman, E. (1978). Mind in Society: Development of Higher Psychological Processes, Harvard University Press."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rogoff, B. (1990). Apprenticeship in Thinking: Cognitive Development in Social Context, Oxford University Press.","DOI":"10.1093\/oso\/9780195059731.001.0001"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"337","DOI":"10.3102\/00028312028002337","article-title":"Making strategies and self-talk visible: Writing instruction in regular and special education classrooms","volume":"28","author":"Englert","year":"1991","journal-title":"Am. Educ. Res. J."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Knowles, A.M. (2022, January 17\u201320). Human-AI collaborative writing: Sharing the rhetorical task load. Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), Limerick, Ireland.","DOI":"10.1109\/ProComm53155.2022.00053"},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Stahl, S.A., and Nagy, W.E. (2005). Teaching Word Meanings, Routledge. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Coenen, A., Davis, L., Ippolito, D., Reif, E., and Yuan, A. (2021). Wordcraft: A human-AI collaborative editor for story writing. arXiv."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"365","DOI":"10.58680\/ccc198115885","article-title":"A cognitive process theory of writing","volume":"32","author":"Flower","year":"1981","journal-title":"Coll. Compos. Commun."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Bereiter, C., and Scardamalia, M. (1987). The Psychology of Written Composition, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gero, K., Calderwood, A., Li, C., and Chilton, L. (2022, January 26). A design space for writing support tools using a cognitive process model of writing. Proceedings of the First Workshop on Intelligent and Interactive Writing Assistants (In2Writing 2022), Dublin, Ireland.","DOI":"10.18653\/v1\/2022.in2writing-1.2"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e14878","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2023.e14878","article-title":"A digital literacy model to narrow the digital literacy skills gap","volume":"9","author":"Reddy","year":"2023","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zumbach, J., Schwartz, N., Seufert, T., and Kester, L. (2008). Supporting prewriting activities in academic writing by computer-based scaffolds. Beyond Knowledge: The Legacy of Competence, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4020-8827-8"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"40","article-title":"AI-based writing tools: Empowering students to achieve writing success","volume":"8","author":"Wu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Adv. Educ. Technol. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Page, M.J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P.M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T.C., Mulrow, C.D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J.M., Akl, E.A., and Brennan, S.E. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"ep548","DOI":"10.30935\/cedtech\/15687","article-title":"Leveraging AI to enhance writing skills of senior TFL students in Kazakhstan: A case study using \u201cWrite & Improve\u201d","volume":"17","author":"Agaidarova","year":"2025","journal-title":"Contemp. Educ. Technol."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"182","article-title":"AI chatbot-based learning: Alleviating students\u2019 anxiety in English writing classroom","volume":"7","author":"Hawanti","year":"2023","journal-title":"Bull. Soc. Inform. Theory Appl."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4934","DOI":"10.1080\/10494820.2023.2207187","article-title":"Enhancing EFL reading and writing through AI-powered tools: Design, implementation, and evaluation of an online course","volume":"32","author":"Hsiao","year":"2023","journal-title":"Interact. Learn. Environ."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7596","DOI":"10.13189\/ujer.2020.082545","article-title":"Students\u2019 perception on the use of digital mind map to stimulate creativity and critical thinking in ESL writing course","volume":"8","author":"Karim","year":"2020","journal-title":"Univers. J. Educ. Res."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"53","article-title":"Perceptions of high school students on AI chatbots use in English learning: Benefits, concerns, and ethical consideration","volume":"27","author":"Lee","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Pan-Pac. Assoc. Appl. Linguist."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100816","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jslw.2021.100816","article-title":"L2 student engagement with automated feedback on writing: Potential for learning and issues of trust","volume":"52","author":"Ranalli","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Second Lang. Writ."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"ep450","DOI":"10.30935\/cedtech\/13419","article-title":"Utilization of artificial intelligence technology in an academic writing class: How do Indonesian students perceive?","volume":"15","author":"Utami","year":"2023","journal-title":"Contemp. Educ. Technol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1464","DOI":"10.1177\/07356331231175999","article-title":"Understanding English as a foreign language students\u2019 idea generation strategies for creative writing with natural language generation tools","volume":"61","author":"Woo","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Educ. Comput. Res."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.3991\/ijim.v18i18.49143","article-title":"Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Enhancing Learning Systems and Transforming Educational Paradigms","volume":"18","author":"Imran","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Interact. Mob. Technol. (iJIM)"},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"UNESCO (2025, April 10). AI and Education: Guidance for Policy-Makers; 2021. Available online: https:\/\/unesdoc.unesco.org\/ark:\/48223\/pf0000376709."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.3102\/003465430298487","article-title":"The power of feedback","volume":"77","author":"Hattie","year":"2007","journal-title":"Rev. Educ. Res."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Holmes, W., Bialik, M., and Fadel, C. (2019). Artificial Intelligence in Education: Promises and Implications for Teaching and Learning, Center for Curriculum Redesign."}],"container-title":["Information"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/16\/7\/519\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:56:22Z","timestamp":1760032582000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/16\/7\/519"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7]]}},"alternative-id":["info16070519"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/info16070519","relation":{},"ISSN":["2078-2489"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2078-2489","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,21]]}}}