Teaching and assessing writing remains one of the most difficult tasks educators attempt in the history classroom. Since fall 2022, that task has been complicated by the introduction of openly accessible AI writing tools, which both high school and college students rely on to complete their writing assignments. Educators feel like they have to work harder both to make the case for writing as an integral critical historical thinking skill and to prevent “cheating.”

This workshop aims to engage a panel of educators and the audience in a conversation on teaching writing in the history classroom. Panelists will focus not on “preventing cheating” but on how to use AI as a writing and thinking tool as part of their instruction. How can students use AI for writing in history class, while also honing their historical thinking skills?

The workshop will begin with a short panel discussion, during which the workshop facilitators share their approach to teaching writing in the (AI) classroom. The bulk of the time will be reserved for participants to discuss their practice in small groups; to share advice and frustrations; and to workshop assessment prompts, rubrics, and other grading strategies.

Participants are strongly encouraged to bring examples of writing assignments and student work samples to the workshop.

Participants who sign up for the workshop through meeting registration and submit assignments, student samples, and/or rubrics by December 1 will be listed as session participants in the online program. Workshop organizers will contact registered participants with information on how to submit materials.

No charge; because space is limited, free advance registration is required.