The Sen Times

College students are writing with AI but a pilot study finds theyre not simply letting it write for them

Debates about generative AI in higher education have been informed by studies of completed student papers, or self-reported survey data. Research shows that artificial intelligence tools can support learning, but also has raised concerns, including students overreliance, cheating, and the potential degradation of critical thinking and engagement. While these types of studies provide interesting snapshots of reported practices, their methodologies may hide something important: how writing actually unfolds while students are composing with the assistance of AI. A pilot study I led of undergraduate writers at Kennesaw State University takes a different approach. Using think-aloud protocols a method where