Teachers say AI-written essays are weakening student writing skills

In short: More teachers say students are using AI to write essays, and educators worry it is hurting learning, not just making cheating easier.

What's going on

Faculty concerns about student writing are growing as AI tools like ChatGPT become common. The worry is not only plagiarism, but also that students may practice writing and thinking less.

A College Board report found that 74% of faculty say students are using AI to write essays or papers. It also found that 92% of faculty are concerned about plagiarism or dishonesty helped by AI.

Teachers say a traditional essay used to show a student’s “visible thinking,” meaning you could see how the student built an argument and used evidence. If a student can hand in polished AI text, the essay can stop being a reliable way to measure what the student can do on their own.

Research summarized by Education Week adds another layer. In one study, students who used ChatGPT while writing showed less brain activity, remembered less of what they wrote later, and felt less ownership of their essays. Some educators also say AI-assisted writing can sound formulaic and less personal, which can make it harder to tell if the work reflects the student’s real voice.

What to watch

Schools are increasingly trying to draw a line between acceptable help and misconduct. Some may allow AI for brainstorming or grammar checks (like a spelling helper), but still treat fully AI-written essays turned in as a student’s own work as cheating. Expect more changes to how writing is assigned and graded, including more in-class writing, oral explanations, and assignments that show the student’s process.

Source: NYTimes