More is Less?: Using Generative AI for Idea Generation and Diversification in Early Writing Processes

This assignment, by Franziska Tsufim and Lainie Pomerleau, is from the the book Teaching and Generative AI.

The summary from the site explains:

As writing teachers, we are strong proponents of process writing. At the same time, we are aware that early process work, especially in a group setting, can be time consuming and anxiety-inducing. Students may also self-censor when sharing work with peers especially if they are not confident in their ideas. Drawing on the process of nominal, electronic brainstorming, we created two different prompts that allowed students to incorporate generative AI into their idea generation process. This first activity improves the efficiency of individual idea generation, while the second exercise helps increase student confidence in their ideas in collaborative brainstorming situations. While students were more confident about their ideas and shared them more readily with their peers following the activities, questions arose about the quality of the ideas generated with generative AI. Responses were often generic, posing potential problems for writing classes such as the standardization of both language and ideas.

Key Features of This Assignment

Idea Generation
This assignment leverages generative AI to assist students in generating a wide range of ideas during the early stages of the writing process, enhancing their creativity and brainstorming capabilities.
Diversification of Ideas
It focuses on the diversification of ideas, helping students to explore different perspectives and approaches, which enriches their writing and critical thinking skills.
Early Writing Process Support
The assignment provides support in the early writing process, guiding students through the initial stages of writing and helping them to develop a strong foundation for their work.