How to Teach Writing in Today’s Classroom
The rapid evolution of AI is reshaping education, especially when it comes to teaching writing. In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, I explore how educators can balance innovation and tradition to empower students as writers in the classroom. From AI tools like Perplexity Pro to modern note-taking strategies, this episode lays the groundwork for helping students navigate writing in the digital age.
This is part 1 and I will be adding part 2 to this blog post as it will be about teachers and how they are teaching writing. This show takes you through the nuts and bolts of why AI is a problem and the issues it is interjecting into writing using some real world examples I’ve come across as I have tried to use AI to support my blogging, radio show, newsletter, and work.
I also revisit insights from my second book, Reinventing Writing, and discuss how I’d update it to address today’s challenges with AI, attribution, and the importance of nourishing student creativity.
BOOK CREATOR – My favorite tool for teaching writing
Special thanks to Book Creator for sponsoring this episode and supporting classroom innovation.
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Key Episode Links:
🎧 Full Episode: coolcatteacher.com/talkwriting
💡 Learn more about AI in education: coolcatteacher.com/talkai
📖 Book Creator: Book Creator. using COOLCATTEACHER to receive 3 months of premium free
Video Show and Screenshots
Key Points in this Episode
1. How Fast Change Meets Kaizen (1:18)
Explore the rapid evolution of writing instruction and how the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen (slow, steady improvement) offers a framework for educators to adapt and innovate at a sustainable pace.
2. Innovating Like a Turtle (2:14)
My “innovate like a turtle” strategy emphasizes small, deliberate steps to implement meaningful change in your classroom.
3. Why Writing is Still Relevant in the Age of AI (2:59)
Even with the rise of AI tools, writing remains essential for critical thinking, communication, and creativity. Learn why writing is more relevant than ever.
4. Using Perplexity Pro for Research (7:02)
Discover how Perplexity Pro can assist with brainstorming and research while navigating its limitations, including attribution challenges.
📖 Tool Mentioned: Perplexity Pro.
5. The Problem of Fake Scholarly Sources (8:37)
AI-generated content sometimes fabricates attributions or sources. I discuss tools like Sourcely that can help, but also why educators and students must approach AI outputs with skepticism.
6. Why “Hallucinate” is the Wrong Term (11:09)
Learn why the term “hallucinate” inaccurately describes AI-generated errors and why this matters for teaching students to evaluate content critically.
7. Longhand Writing vs. AI Tools (12:47)
I reflect on how AI changed the tone and structure of a piece I wrote by hand when I attempted to convert it into a newsletter, highlighting the subtle ways AI can alter writing.
8. Attribution Problems and AI Summaries (20:40)
Understand the impact of AI-driven summaries (e.g., Google Generative AI) on attribution, writer visibility, and website traffic.
9. Evaluating Tools for Your School (24:05)
Get tips for evaluating and choosing writing tools that align with your school’s needs, including updates from Reinventing Writing.
10. Modern Note-Taking (26:11)
Discover modern approaches to note-taking, from digital tools to voice memos, and how these methods are reshaping how students prepare for writing assignments.
11. Social Bookmarking for Writing (34:40)
Learn how to reinvent traditional notecards with social bookmarking tools that help students organize ideas collaboratively and effectively.
12. Collaborative Writing with Notion (39:17)
Explore how tools like Notion can replace wikis for collaborative writing and enhance student teamwork.
13. Cloud Services and Reinventing Essays (42:04)
Cloud-based services offer students more flexibility and options for managing their writing projects. Discover tips for updating how you teach essays in today’s classrooms.
14. Word Processing and Editing Tools (45:20)
I share the best tools for writing instruction, including:
- ProWritingAid for grammar and style.
- Techniques for improving transitions and removing sticky sentences (46:41).
15. Drafting with Voice Typing (47:18)
Learn how to give students multiple options for drafting, including voice typing to support diverse learners.
16. Feedback and Self-Assessment with AI (49:00)
Explore ways to give meaningful feedback, including voice feedback, and teach students how to evaluate their work with AI tools.
17. Converting File Types and Writing Fundamentals (52:27)
Practical tips for converting file types and building a strong foundation for writing success in the classroom.
18. Nourishing Student Interests (53:58)
Hear how my childhood passion for recording shaped my career in podcasting and why it’s critical to nurture students’ interests to spark creativity.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode provides a foundation for helping students write effectively in the age of AI. By combining timeless strategies with modern tools, we can prepare students to think critically and communicate powerfully in any medium.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll feature insights from leading educators on how they are teaching writing in their classrooms.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: coolcatteacher.com/talkwriting.
📖 Don’t forget to claim your 3 months of Premium Book Creator FREE at Book Creator with the code COOLCATTEACHER!
What tools and strategies are you using to teach writing? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on Twitter.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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