John Warner

John Warner, a writer and educator known for critiquing traditional essay formats, and Emily Weinstein, a psychologist studying teens and technology, dive into the debate around AI in education. They discuss a teenager's perspective on using AI tools like ChatGPT for homework and questions of academic integrity. The conversation also covers generational differences in attitudes toward technology, the need for educational reform, and the implications of AI on student creativity and mental well-being. Their insights challenge conventional educational practices.

John Warner is the author of "Why They Can't Write: Killing the Five-Paragraph Essay" and six other books on writing. He's the editor of McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and the Biblioracle. John is also a professor of creative writing but most recently he's becoming concerned that Artificial intelligence can crank out passable student essays in seconds. What are we going to do? Is ChatGPT the end of writing assignments?In order to help instructors deal with the existence of ChatGPT without making its existence omnipresent in the classroom, or capitulating to a surveillance and detection approach, John has developed a new, self-paced digital course: Teaching Writing in an Artificial Intelligence World.Read John's thoughts at The Biblioracle  

John Warner, an educator passionate about pedagogical principles, discusses the importance of prioritizing teaching methods over AI's allure. He emphasizes the reflective nature of writing and the necessity for authentic engagement in academic work. Warner critiques the use of historical figure chatbots, arguing they dilute educational quality and misrepresent history. He also introduces 'Franken Stories,' a creative writing game that fosters collaboration and joy in the writing process, while advocating for a balanced approach to technology in education.

John Warner shares how to teach writing in an age of AI on episode 449 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. Quotes from the episode As a tool, it is most useful in the hands of people who already have the skills and knowledge to write well. -John Warner Writing is thinking. -John Warner When we write, we are both expressing and exploring an idea. -John Warner Resources Why They Can’t Write, by John Warner The Writer’s Practice, by John Warner Freaking Out About ChatGPT (Part I), by John Warner for Inside Higher Ed ChatGTP Craft app Tessie McMillan Cottom’s newsletter for New York Times subscribers Clippy (Microsoft Office Assistant) Affiliate income disclosure: Books that are recommended on the podcast link to the Teaching in Higher Ed bookstore on Bookshop.org. All affiliate income gets donated to the LibroMobile Arts Cooperative (LMAC), established in 2016 by Sara Rafael Garcia.”

In this episode, John Warner, a skilled writer and thought leader in the field of education, shares his insights on the role of AI in academic writing. He discusses how AI can aid in tasks like organizing thoughts and creating drafts, but warns against losing the joy of writing. John emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal engagement and authenticity in writing. He also explores developing a robust writing practice and the balance between leveraging AI tools and nurturing critical thinking in students.