Last November, University of Virginia English professor James Seitz offered a workshop through the UVA Center for Teaching Excellence titled “Teaching in the Age of AI: How Students Can Do All Their Writing in the Classroom.” When I saw the workshop announcement, I have to admit that my initial reaction wasn’t a positive one. Was this another call to return to the days of blue books, with high stakes essay exams depending on students being able to practice the lost art of handwriting? 

No! I’m excited to have Jim Seitz on the podcast today to share how he has moved the writing his students do into the classroom. This move is a response to generative AI’s disruption of writing instruction, yes, but it’s also the latest in a series of teaching choices Jim has made to teach his students writing as a way of thinking and to change their relationship with writing. Jim takes a very thoughtful and intentional approach to his in-class writing days, as you’ll hear in our conversation. 

Episode Resources

James Seitz’s website, https://jamesseitz.com/ 

“What Happens After A.I. Destroys College Writing?” by Hua Hsu in The New Yorker

“Bringing the Term Paper into the Classroom,” an interview with Lily Abadal on the Designed for Learning podcast

“Getting Started with Specifications Grading,” a Teaching Hub collection by Dorothe Bach

“Strategies for Avoiding AI” and “More Strategies for Avoiding AI” on the UVA Teaching Center website

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