Bridging the AI divide: Teaching writing and building trust
Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene, the once-steady foundations of teaching writing have been shifting beneath our feet. Much of the conversation has focused on the threats generative AI poses to academic integrity and student learning, as students potentially outsource their thinking. But amid the concern about plagiarism and performance, a deeper and less discussed issue is emerging: the strain AI can place on the educator-student relationship.
With the widespread adoption of generative AI tools by students, alongside growing concerns from educators about the integrity of student work, interactions between the two can, at times, feel adversarial. Whether real or perceived, this tension risks undermining the trust and partnership essential to effective practices for teaching writing, as well as meaningful learning. Yet, educators and students were never meant to be on opposite sides. In fact, the strongest learning environments are grounded in mutual respect, transparency, and connection.