Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including ChatGPT and other chatbots, have been introduced into academic writing courses at the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter). These tools are not only aiding students but also serving as a subject of research for faculty.
On November 13, JI Assistant Professor Kyung Min Kim presented a keynote address at the 13th session of the SJTU Teaching and Learning Forum (Global Version), sharing her innovative approaches to integrating digital resources, especially AI tools, into academic writing instruction.
Professor Kim explained in her presentation that her academic writing courses encourage students to reflect deeply, take linguistic risks, make informed decisions during the revision process, and use resources like Corpus, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, and tools like Grammarly to enhance their writing. To help students improve their writing without compromising their original voice, she developed a series of tailored prompts for AI chatbots. Meanwhile, Kim emphasized that students should maintain control over their work, using AI as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for critical thinking and creativity.
During her courses, Kim collected extensive data, including one-on-one student interviews, essay drafts, and reflective writing samples. The qualitative research based on such data has served as a valuable tool for self-reflection to improve teaching, she said.
The SJTU Forum was jointly organized by the SJTU Center for Teaching and Learning Development (CTLD) and the JI Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT). Moderated by Ting Sun, Director of the CLT, the event is expected to provide valuable insights for the SJTU community on leveraging digital resources to create more interactive and reflective learning environments.
