Teaching Writing in the AI Era: A Conversation with Dr. Hugh Burns
Oct 15, 2024
Osborne B138
UCCS English professor Dr. Ann Amicucci hosted internationally known scholar Dr. Hugh Burns to give a timely speech about AI usage in the classroom to her writing pedagogy class for future K-12 teachers. Dr. Burns was one of the first scholars in the field of composition studies to investigate the role computers can play in writing education.
Dr. Burns wrote a chatbot in 1979 called Aristotle’s Topics that guides writers through the process of formulating ideas for essay composition. He spoke to UCCS students about his experiences teaching at the intersection of composition and computing, including advocating for technology usage in the face of institutional resistance. With humor and humility, Dr. Burns described his initial forays into incorporating computers into the humanities at institutions including Smith College, UT Austin, Texas Woman’s University, and the Air Force Academy. His early efforts at UT Austin grew into the formation of the Daedalus Group, a company that developed innovative writing software (Daedalus Integrated Writing Environment) for students and professors.
Dr Burns’s personal pedagogy is informed by a mindset of generosity and kindness. His suggestion to new writing teachers is to “step back a bit” to give students room to find their own voice. This involves asking students questions such as “Where are you? Where have you been? and Where are you going?” and giving them room to share.
His advice to composition teachers who are nervous about students using AI to write their papers: approach chatbots with curiosity and joy, and stay involved with the student writing process. Teachers will know the authenticity of a final paper when they have walked with students through the critical thought and planning processes.
Thank you, Dr. Burns, for sharing your experience as a pioneer in the field of Digital Humanities with students at UCCS.