John Warner on Teaching Writing in the Age of Generative AI
Mar 25, 2024
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On this podcast, John Warner discusses the impact of generative AI tools on writing education, emphasizing the need for a shift towards authentic engagement and critical thinking. They explore the challenges of traditional writing education, the purpose of schooling, and the integration of AI in teaching practices. The conversation delves into the importance of meaningful assessment methods, reducing student loads, and evolving teaching practices in higher education.
01:26:22
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Quick takeaways
Generative AI challenges traditional writing assessment methods by prioritizing syntax over critical thinking and originality.
Revamping writing assignments to encourage authentic exploration fosters critical thinking and creativity in students.
Emphasizing learning-oriented assignments over fluency promotes deeper understanding and engagement in writing education.
Deep dives
Generative AI Tools Impact on Education
Generative AI tools like chat GPT have raised concerns in education as they can produce coherent but often unoriginal and surface-level writing. The technology challenges traditional writing assessment methods and exposes flaws in evaluating student work solely on syntax and responsiveness.
Challenging Standard Writing Practices
The podcast delves into the need to revamp traditional writing assignments and assessment criteria that often prioritize syntax and coherence over genuine critical thinking and originality. The speaker highlights the inadequacies of relying on standard prompts that promote formulaic responses, leading to students producing unimpressive essays.
Reimagining Writing Pedagogy
The discussion emphasizes the importance of shifting from conventional writing approaches towards more authentic learning experiences. By encouraging writing as a means of exploration and genuine expression, educators can foster critical thinking and creativity in students, moving away from a culture of surface-level writing simulations.
Examining the Role of Technology in Writing and Thinking
The discussion delves into the impact of technology, particularly generative AI, on writing and thinking processes. The speaker acknowledges the technological marvel of machine learning and AI in assembling language but highlights the distinction between technological capabilities and the essence of thinking and feeling. Examples from a role-playing game using generative AI demonstrate how meaningful prompts and human input are vital for creating contextually relevant and humorous content.
Challenges in Teaching Writing and Maintaining Academic Integrity
The conversation explores the challenges faced in teaching writing, especially in academic settings characterized by high student loads and the availability of tools like GPT. The speaker emphasizes the importance of shifting focus towards learning-oriented assignments that cultivate deeper understanding and engagement in students. Practical suggestions include designing prompts that promote experiential learning, fostering curiosity in teaching practices, and redefining assessment criteria to align with meaningful learning outcomes rather than surface-level fluency.
Peoples & Things host Lee Vinsel talks with writer and editor John Warner, who taught writing at the college level for more than twenty years. Warner is the author of at least three - or four depending on whether you count a work of parody - books on writing and higher education, and today he is perhaps best known for his Substack, The Biblioracle Recommends. Vinsel and Warner talk about how teaching writing will need to shift after the arrival of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, but only after discussing a deeper truth: Teaching writing and thinking at the college level has had big problems for years, problems that AI tools simply exacerbate. The pair talk about Warner’s experiences and his approach to teaching writing as well as about a book he is writing about teaching writing in the age of generative AI.