In this episode we explore what happens when AI changes the basic conditions of student writing, and why some teachers are bringing pencils, notebooks, and in-class writing back into the center of English instruction.

Drawing on a recent New York Times piece about AI and student writing, we look at the growing move away from take-home essays and toward handwritten, in-class work. The real question may not be paper or AI. It may be something more.

Topics covered:

• Why teachers are rethinking take-home writing assignments in the age of AI
• What student AI use reveals about homework, drafting, and critical thinking
• How handwritten assessments can unintentionally measure the wrong things
• The difference between drafting, revising, and composing under time pressure
• Why AI should support the writing process without replacing student authorship
• What district leaders should consider before making “back to paper” policies
• A practical writing workflow that combines notebooks, rubrics, AI feedback, and student reflection
  

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/ai-students-cheating-homework-classrooms.html