How to combat misuse of AI in student writing

Key points:

• AI isn’t going anywhere–but students still need to develop their own writing abilities
• AI’s role in the future of learning
• AI is the solution to costly and ineffective dyslexia programs
• For more news on AI in education, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub

As AI cements itself firmly into classrooms, one large and lingering question concerns when and how students can use it appropriately. It takes only seconds to plug a writing prompt into a generative AI tool and receive a completed assignment. Instead of forbidding generative AI tools, it’s critical that teachers show students how and when it’s appropriate to use AI in student writing.

The bottom line: When students are confident in their writing skills, they will be less tempted to run directly to AI to generate a writing assignment. Then, teachers can demonstrate how and when it’s appropriate for students to use AI to their benefit.

During an ISTELive 24 session, Sarah Mauel, Amy Miller, and Tahlia Remer, instructional technology trainers in Arizona’s Tempe Union High School District, shared strategies to help students improve their writing skills, thereby improving their self-confidence, along with sharing examples of how to appropriately use AI tools in student writing assignments.

It’s generally easy to determine if students have used an AI tool to generate a response to a writing assignment or to generate an entire essay. The biggest tell is that the writing will sound nothing like any of the student’s other submitted assignments. Teachers can also look for:

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