Digital Learning Blog

Title

Laist, R. et al. (2024) Rethinking writing instruction in the age of ai. Lynnfield, MA: CAST.

What is the topic?

A practical look at what makes human writing unique and valuable.  How writing instructors can elevate the humanistic elements of writing to engage and empower writing students. Rethinking Writing in the Age of AI offers composition instructors practical ways to address AI panic and insights about how to embrace AI to strengthen writing and critical thinking skills. 

Why is the topic important?

Writing is a tool for thinking, a means of personal expression, and a vehicle of self-discovery. The reason to write can easily become lost in the instruction and assessment of writing. AI is often used as a short cut to “finish” the assignment.  Randy Laist posits that writing instructors need to amplify the transformative nature of writing and teach students how to use AI to strengthen and focus on crafting their unique voice.     

Who can use this information?

• Online instructors/faculty
• Instructional Designers
• Students

Top three takeaways

1.  The perfect match between writing and UDL: Students are often taught writing in a tightly controlled “follow the conventions” manner.  This can shut out so many students.  Utilizing UDL strategies centers the writer’s message and utilizes various ways of engagement, representation, and action and expression tocraft and convey that message.
2.  UDL Informed writing Activities (solve the motivation/cheat with AI problem)
   1. 1. Build Community
      2. Inspire and engage
      3. Acknowledge that everyone is a writer
3.  AI as a collaborator and thinking partner: The “AI Aside” section of every activity listed (20) has practical examples of how AI might be used to collaborate with students or how students might use AI and then critically analyze that interaction. All are flexible and seated in the UDL framework.