Teaching Writing with Generative AI

Updated July 2024
Writing has always been a technology for thinking and communicating. With each evolution of this technology, who was permitted to speak, what was said, how it was said, who could be reached, and how the message was delivered shifted. Just as the act of writing shifted with changes in writing technologies, the teaching of writing changed as well, and now the emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence presents us with the most recent opportunities and challenges. There are many free AIs available that may be productively integrated into the writing process (for some examples, see this list of 33 free AIs). It’s important to remember that writing to learn remains central to engaged learning and cognitive development, and this vital intellectual activity cannot be replaced with generative AI. Further, helping students to develop strong writing skills so they can join disciplinary conversations and participate actively and critically in civic and professional life remains central to Elon’s Mission Statement. 

The following resources are for faculty and teaching staff interested in exploring how to integrate AI into the teaching of writing: