Adam Sparks is back to continue our conversation about writing instruction in the age of AI. We're diving into even more actionable strategies, from using tools like ShortAnswer to embedding more writing across the curriculum to help students recover those lost writing reps. Plus, we tackle big-picture topics like teaching students to use AI effectively, leveraging AI in scoring state-level assessments, and being intentional about making learning relevant. And stick around for updates from Pear Deck, MagicSchool, and Screencastify Submit.

#EduDuctTape Episode 115

Today's Sponsor

Swivl - bit.ly/mirrortalkjake

SoapBox Moment - "Cholesterol, Cheating, and Heartaches from AI-Detection Tools"

President John F. Kennedy's Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort - jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/address-at-rice-university-on-the-nations-space-effort (Copyright Status: Public Domain)

Today's Guest: Adam Sparks taught for 7 years before recently finishing his Masters in Learning Design and Technology at Stanford. At Stanford, Adam designed a writing tool called Short Answer that he now builds full time. As a part of his work with Short Answer, Adam leads PD with schools across the country on adjusting writing instruction in the wake of AI.
Contact Info: Email: adam@myshortanswer.com, Website: myshortanswer.com, Twitter: @mrsparkstweets Bluesky: @adamsparks.bsky.social

Educational Duct Tape Question: How should educators teach & assess writing in the age of AI?

Step 1: Clear classroom policies (see the previous episode)
Step 2: Shortform, formative, targeted, in-class writing (starts in the previous episode)

Dylan William
Short Answer - myshortanswer.com
Dylan Wiliam webinar recording: myshortanswer.com/webinar-recording-for-ai-k12-assessment-a-conversation-with-dr-dylan-wiliam

Step 3: More writing across the curriculum

Making up for lost writing reps
The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Clearinghouse - wac.colostate.edu/repository/teaching/intro

Step 4: Teach kids to use AI effectively

OpenAI blog post - "A Student's Guide to Writing with ChatGPT" - openai.com/chatgpt/use-cases/student-writing-guide
Brainstorm, research, debate partner, organize writing…
SchoolAI - schoolai.com

Step 5: More state level assessments relating to writing instruction

More urgency around the "and write" part of literacy is about how "to read and write"
Leveraging AI in the scoring of these assessments
Computers in education journal - "Can AI provide useful holistic writing instruction?" - sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666920X24000584
"Comparing the quality of human and ChatGPT feedback of students' writing" - sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959475224000215

How to de-emphasize the desire to cheat: Be intentional about the relevance of learning

Arran Hamilton, Dylan William, & John Hattie article - "The Future of AI in Education: 13 Things We Can Do to Minimize the Damage" - osf.io/preprints/edarxiv/372vr
Literacy as a predictor of health & well-being
Ability to communicate as important in all walks of life
Authenticity of writing
Carrie Spector's article with Denise Pope & Victor Lee - "What do AI chatbots really mean for students and cheating?" - acceleratelearning.stanford.edu/story/what-do-ai-chatbots-really-mean-for-students-and-cheating

Short Answer Mailing List - us21.list-manage.com/contact-form?u=4c662a781896ad760601bc399&form_id=43697352749ef4d4954f28529a0593f4

Edu News I've Got My Peepers On:

Pear Deck Adds Auto-Graded Questions - youtu.be/G7hpt8vtZHk?si=RRtfJCJEXyMRhfT_&t=83
Customize Tools in MagicSchool - youtube.com/watch?v=A13c9rYytUQ
New Screencastify Submit Features

NYC Mayor Mamdani calls for accountability for ICE killing of Minneapolis mom

The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Outro

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