Given that AI can write for students with a few simple prompts, new approaches to writing instruction are especially important, recommends a news release from the nonprofit National Writing Project (NWP) and online writing platform NoRedInk.
In an effort to help teachers find those approaches, the two organizations have partnered to launch a webinar series next week called “Writing Instruction in the Age of AI.” An online community for educators to share and access resources, including a free version of NoRedInk, will be established as well, the news release states.
It also references a 2025 study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University on the impact of generative AI (GenAI) on critical thinking, which found that “higher confidence in GenAI is associated with less critical thinking, while higher self-confidence is associated with more critical thinking” when conducting AI-assisted tasks.
“Qualitatively, GenAI shifts the nature of critical thinking toward information verification, response integration and task stewardship,” the study reports.
Paige Whitlock, literacy director at NoRedInk, said the goal of the NWP partnership is to help teachers understand the changing role of critical thinking in AI-assisted writing practice and instruction.
“Our collective organizations bring decades of expertise in writing instruction and educator development to schools,” Whitlock said in a public statement. “At the heart of our partnership is a deep commitment to empowering students to think critically and express their voices with confidence.”
The first webinar in the free series will take place at 10 a.m. PST April 29. The series will explore topics such as “ethical, learning-focused use of AI in the writing process, research-based pedagogy, and reframing the teacher’s role as a coach for writers,” per the release.
