Writing with AI (WAi*) is a research project designed to learn about how youth use AI platforms and tools in their writing lives and develop AI literacy – knowledge about AI and how to use it ethically and critically. *WAi pronounced as Why!
With the accelerating integration of large language models such as ChatGPT-4 into digital platforms, debates continue to rage over the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning. Little empirical evidence is available to guide curriculum design or pedagogy about generative AI use for youth writing.
Our project aims to address this concern by learning about how youth use AI platforms and tools in their writing lives and develop AI literacy – knowledge about AI and how to use it ethically and critically.
Our study is guided by the following research questions:
- How are young people using generative AI in their everyday composing lives?
- How does writing with generative AI influence youth’s thinking about ethical and rhetorical dimensions of writing?
- What pedagogical and curricular interventions support young people in developing AI literacy?
Over three design phases, this study will learn how high school students and teachers can use creative activities to support learning with and about generative AI. This study will contribute to emerging understandings about the impact of generative AI on youth writing.
This study is being conducted by Dr. Amy Stornaiuolo and her team of graduate and undergraduate researchers from the Graduate School of Education and the University of Pennsylvania, together with a group of high school student researchers from the larger Philadelphia area.
PHASE 1- WRITING CONTEST ALERT! MAY 20, 2024
WAi Team
Amy Stornaiuolo
Amy is an associate professor of education at Penn and is the PI of the WAi Project. She studies digital writing and the role of technologies in teaching and learning.
Rabani Garg
Rabani is a Ph.D. Candidate and the project lead on WAi. She studies youth digital writing, media, and cultures. Her research interests include critical digital literacies, technology in education, and the role of informal education/spaces in young people’s learning and literacy practices. She works with youth-led collectives to understand how adults and youth can build up meaningful intergenerational alliances and collaborative spaces.
Doha Gassem
Doha is a current high school junior in the Academy at Palumbo. She is working as a youth researcher on WAI and her research interests includes identity and decision-making directed towards teens!
Emmy Talian
Emmy is a doctoral student in Literacy Studies and a Research Assistant on the WAi Project. A former high school English teacher, her research interests include youth critical digital literacies, social justice pedagogies, and intergenerational/participatory research methods.
Isabel Engel
Isabel is a third-year undergraduate student at Penn double-majoring in Political Science and Communications. She contributes to WAi as a researcher and marketing coordinator Her academic interests at Penn lie in writing, media, and politics.
Victoria Gaynor
Youth Researcher
Clara Abott
Clara is a first-year doctoral student in Literacy Studies and researcher on WAi. She studies youth multimodal and arts-based literacy practices.
Emery Studstill
Youth Researcher
Kyle Fukomoto
Kyle is a first-year undergraduate student at Penn double-majoring in Political Science and Economics. His academic interests at Penn lie in the application of AI, politics, and the future of work.
Kathy Walsh
Kathy is a masters student in Literacy Studies and reseracher on WAi. She studies writing pedagogy and spaces, writerly identity, and digital writing tools.
Ayr
Youth Researcher
Jen Freed
Jen is a first year doctoral student in Literacy Studies and a Research Assistant on the WAi Project. A practitioner researcher, she studies youth participatory action research and intergenerational civic dialogue in out-of-school literacy spaces.
You can find us at:
Email: writewithaiproject@gmail.com
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/writewithai