The impact of generative artificial intelligence on how we teach writing and how our students produce writing is uncertain. However, there is no need to panic; Writing Studies has effectively responded to new technology before. From the introduction of everything from pencils and typewriters (Baron) to computers (Hawisher & Selfe) to multimedia tools (Akayoglu), writing theorists and teachers ultimately adapted to these new inventions and learned to use them effectively.
In the spirit of theoretically informed teaching practices, the UMass Amherst Writing Program offers this webpage to all teachers of writing—from teachers of Englwrit 111 Writing, Identity, and Power and Englwrit 112 College Writing, to instructors of Junior Year Writing, to faculty who incorporate writing-to-learn strategies into their disciplinary courses. This site provides pedagogical resources, research related to technology and the teaching of writing, a selection of best practices and more, all chosen to help you navigate this new era of teaching writing in the age of Generative AI/LLMs.
The Current Conversation About Generative AI/LLMs
This section offers a curated overview of the vast public conversation happening around Generative AI/LLMs.
Writing Studies Responds to Technology
The field of Writing Studies has been responding to and theorizing the relationship of writing and technological inventions for decades, and this section offers a place to start learning about this history.
Scholarly Roots of Writing Studies’ Best Practices
These sources showcase some of the scholarship that led to the development of Writing Studies’ best practices, such as process pedagogy, critical self-reflection, and writing-to-learn strategies.
Practical Teaching Resources
These resources offer ways you might utilize Writing Studies’ best pedagogical practices to address some of the challenges posed by Generative AI/LLMs.
Additional Generative AI/LLM Resources for Instructors
As we continue to navigate the changing landscape of Generative AI/LLM writing tools and other emergent digital technologies, this webpage is intended to provide a variety of resources you may find useful.