Working Alongside, Not Against, AI Writing Tools in the Composition Classroom: A Dialectical Retrospective

This assignment, by Daniel Frank and Jennifer K. Johnson, is from the the book Teaching and Generative AI.

The summary from the site explains:

This article ’share[s] experimental classroom activities and assignments that engage students in hands-on exploration and reflection on their AI-assisted writing processes. Student responses reveal nuanced engagement with the tools to support rather than shortcut learning. The authors argue that attempting to simply prohibit AI use is counterproductive; instead, educators should bring it into the light, teaching students to use it transparently and critically.”

Key Features of This Assignment

Integration of AI Writing Tools
This assignment emphasizes the use of AI writing tools to enhance students’ writing processes, encouraging them to explore and leverage these technologies effectively in their compositions.
Dialectical Approach
The assignment adopts a dialectical method, prompting students to critically examine and discuss the pros and cons of AI tools in writing, fostering a deeper understanding and balanced perspective on the topic.
Retrospective Analysis
Students are required to reflect on their experiences with AI writing tools throughout the course, analyzing their impact on their writing skills and development, thus promoting metacognitive skills.