Teaching Writing in an AI World: A Practical Guide

Summary

In this episode of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast, Vicky Deis and her colleague Don Beck discuss the integration of AI in education, particularly in writing instruction. They reflect on their initial concerns about AI’s impact on teaching and how they’ve adapted, focusing on the writing process rather than just the final product. Don shares insights on how AI is used for feedback, editing, and comparison exercises in the classroom. They emphasize the importance of human creativity in writing and offer advice on how teachers can effectively incorporate AI while still promoting authentic student learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI is viewed as an opportunity for educators to learn and teach, not just a challenge to overcome.
• 😀 Many teachers, including Don Beck, felt overwhelmed at first by AI, but have come to see it as a valuable tool for teaching and learning.
• 😀 Less than half of American teachers have been trained on AI, highlighting a gap in AI education for educators.
• 😀 AI is designed to imitate humans, but it lacks the human touch and depth of understanding, often producing average writing.
• 😀 Don Beck integrates AI into the writing process by focusing on both the process and the final product, emphasizing in-class work and collaboration.
• 😀 AI can be used for editing and providing formative feedback on student writing, helping students improve their drafts.
• 😀 Students are encouraged to compare their own writing with AI-generated essays to recognize the differences and value their own creativity.
• 😀 AI struggles with truly creative or unique writing, as it often generates more generic content without the human touch.
• 😀 Educators can spot AI usage by focusing on the writing process, using brainstorming, outlines, and peer collaboration to track students' original ideas.
• 😀 To prevent students from relying on AI for cheating, teachers can monitor formative work, and emphasize the value of personal thoughts and original ideas.
• 😀 The best way to teach students to use AI responsibly is by making assignments meaningful, encouraging personal expression, and helping them understand how to cite AI sources properly.

Q & A

What was Don Beck's initial reaction to the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT in teaching writing?

Don Beck initially felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to process the rise of AI in education. There were fears and concerns, but they eventually saw it as an opportunity to educate themselves and their students rather than being intimidated by it.

How does Don Beck approach teaching writing in the context of AI integration?

Beck combines traditional writing programs, like the Institute for Excellence in Writing and Lost Tools of Writing, with AI. She emphasizes the writing process, using AI as a tool for editing and feedback, while still valuing human creativity in the final product.

What specific method does Don Beck use to integrate AI into the writing process for students?

Beck integrates AI by having students write in class, focusing on the process through brainstorming, outlining, and peer collaboration. After completing their drafts, students use AI tools for editing and feedback. She also compares AI-generated essays with student-created ones to highlight the lack of human touch in AI writing.

Why does Don Beck emphasize the writing process over the finished product?

Beck emphasizes the writing process because it allows students to demonstrate their thought development and creativity. By focusing on process-oriented assignments, she can better monitor their progress, provide guidance, and ensure their understanding of writing.

How does Don Beck use AI to provide formative feedback on student writing?

Beck uses AI by creating clear prompts for students to feed their essays into tools like ChatGPT. The AI then evaluates aspects like thesis statements, topic sentences, and overall structure. Students review the feedback, compare it with their own work, and use it to refine their essays.

What is the importance of students' ability to compare AI-generated writing with their own work?

The comparison helps students realize that while AI can generate average writing, it lacks the unique touch and depth that humans bring to their work. This process reinforces the value of human creativity and individuality in writing.

What challenges does AI face when processing creative or unique writing?

AI tends to struggle with processing creative or highly unique writing because it relies on patterns and average human expression. For example, when tasked with generating content on innovative ideas, AI may omit them, showing its limitations in handling truly novel or creative concepts.

How does Don Beck prevent students from using AI to cheat or produce work that lacks originality?

Beck monitors students closely throughout the writing process by reviewing their brainstorming, outlines, and drafts. She uses unique essay prompts that encourage personal reflections, making it harder for AI to generate relevant responses. Additionally, she educates students on detecting AI plagiarism through tools like Brisk.

What is Don Beck's strategy for helping students understand the role of AI in education?

Beck takes an open and educational approach, using AI tools in the classroom for assignments. She discusses with students the benefits and limitations of AI, helping them understand when and how it should be used responsibly, and ensuring they know how to cite AI-generated content properly.

How does Don Beck suggest ELA teachers should adapt to the rise of AI in education?

Beck advises ELA teachers to focus on the writing process, monitor formative assignments, and ensure that students are actively engaged in creating their own work. She also suggests using AI to facilitate learning, but always maintaining a focus on the unique contributions students make through their own thoughts and creativity.