The most basic way to preserve the integrity of student centered writing while harnessing the benefits of AI assistance is by requiring students to track changes and submit version histories of their writing. This can be done in Google Docs or with the Chrome extension ShareGPT. Scaffolding assignments is also key. Require students to submit annotated drafts that describe their reasoning behind editing choices. The aim should be to "emphasize the important human contribution while recognizing the realities presented by AI" (Bowen & Watson, p.202).
Strategies that emphasize the human:
- Make assignments human centered
- Ask students to input new sources and examples to help AI mimic personal stories and reflection
- Apply AI to a specific local problem or context
- Propose innovations to our core curriculum that reflect your favorite idea from this class
- Explore a cultural tradition from your heritage that holds personal significance. How does it contribute to your identity?
- Bonus: Have students present their personal story to the class when submitting their paper
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Pose ethical dilemmaas that require reasoning and consideration of values, placing the emphasis on moral judgement rather than factual recall. AI can provide opposing arguments for further discourse and reflection
- Real-Time Journaling
- Have student record their feelings, analysis and predictions after each learning unit
- Interview-Based Writing
- Listening to others is a crtitical communication skill. Students can "interview" AI to practice meaningful conversations.
- AI can also be used to assist students in writing meaningful questions to prepare for an interview
- Making Choices
- Ask students to make and reflect on a personal choice
- Describe four of your life goals. Which is most important and why?
- Argue for a new campus initiative that would empower students from different backgrounds to collaborate in advancing campus goals.
The above examples are directly from Chapter 11, Writing with AI, in the book:
Bowen, J.A. & Watson, C.E. (2024). Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. Johns Hopkins University Press.
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