RRVWP 2025 Summer Institute: AI Writing

Overview

The Red River Valley Writing Project's Summer Institute offers a comprehensive program for K-12 professionals to learn, share, and grow as writers and teachers of writing. The institute focuses on maintaining high standards for reading, writing, and critical thinking in the age of Chat-GPT.

Program Details

• Instructor: Benjamin Melby
• Grading Method: Letter (Letter)
• Credits: 3
• Department: ENGL (2000)
• Academic Level: K-12 Professionals
• Start/End Dates: 07/07/2025 - 07/17/2025
• Term: Summer 2025
• Location: NDSU Minard Hall, Fargo, ND
• Instruction Mode: Face-to-Face
• Cost: $150

Meeting Pattern

• July 7 - 11 (Monday - Friday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• July 14 - 17 (Monday - Thursday) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Description

The program prepares participants to "demo" classroom lessons, read and discuss best practices for teaching writing, and workshop and complete an educator blog on AI literacy. The goal is to help students make more intentional and informed decisions about how they use language in relation to their audience and purpose as writers.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Objectives:

You will:

• Explore the limits and potential of AI as a writing tool for both academic and professional writing situations
• Learn and apply effective procedures for managing AI use in the classroom, balancing the often-competing demands of academic honesty and AI fluency
• Design and adapt purposeful assignments and classroom activities in relation to AI
• Develop writing process strategies and strategies by participating in writing workshops
• Read and discuss current education research and theory in relation to one's teaching practice
• Become familiar with a wide range of print and online resources for teacher development and instructional use
• Develop leadership capacity in teaching writing and using writing to enhance student learning
• Create teaching demonstrations and materials that are aligned with and exceed the State Standards
• Write an educator blog post on the topic of AI literacy

Materials:

• Required Text: Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by C. Edward Watson and José Antonio Bowen

Teacher Testimonials

• "I loved this opportunity to work with and learn from other educators!"
• "Really excellent! I have got familiar with so many innovative ideas. It has opened up new avenues for me to rethink AI."
• "Demo sessions are really innovative. Group discussions are really helpful. Moreover, the way you organized each session is really excellent."
• "The discussions challenged me to think about different aspects of AI. I am realizing it is not a black and white issue, and I will need to work through some of the gray areas to develop my own policy and level of use in the classroom."
• "Our book discussions and activities were especially helpful, along with the demos. Actually getting the opportunity to DO the activities - to get practice in prompting, evaluating feedback from AI, and comparing human vs. AI writing was all very helpful!"
• "I loved the structure and format of the course. It really created high level thinking activities and a lot of great application to concepts. Definitely love this format."
• "Everything seemed organized from the beginning and end of each day which made it easy to follow the learning expectations of this course. This course has been very practical in using AI tools in the classroom for us to learn about the nuances of AI tools."

North Dakota State University

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Overview:

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is a public, land-grant, research university located in Fargo, North Dakota. It is a top-ranked R1 institution, known for its commitment to student-focused learning and its dedication to research. NDSU provides affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

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Services Offered:

The university offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Admission:

NDSU provides comprehensive admission services, including application assistance, financial aid information, and campus visits.

Academic Programs:

NDSU offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.

Campus Life:

NDSU provides a vibrant campus life with various co-curricular activities, dining services, residence life options, and athletic events.

Student Support:

NDSU offers support services such as career advising, counseling, and wellness resources.

Research Opportunities:

NDSU provides ample research opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research projects.

Online Programs:

NDSU offers a variety of online degree programs for students seeking flexible learning options.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

NDSU offers a vibrant campus experience with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in various co-curricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and sports. The university also provides a variety of dining options, residence halls, and recreational facilities.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordable Education:

NDSU offers an excellent education at an affordable price.

Research Opportunities:

NDSU is a research-intensive university, providing students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research.

Hands-on Learning:

NDSU emphasizes hands-on learning, providing students with practical experience in their chosen fields.

Strong Faculty:

NDSU has a strong faculty committed to teaching and mentoring students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

NDSU offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community.

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Academic Programs:

NDSU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Agriculture and Biological Systems:

NDSU is a leading institution in agriculture and biological systems, with strong programs in areas such as animal science, plant science, and biotechnology.

Engineering and Architecture:

NDSU offers a variety of engineering and architecture programs, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and architecture.

Health Sciences:

NDSU has a strong presence in health sciences, with programs in areas such as nursing, pharmacy, and public health.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

NDSU offers a variety of humanities and social sciences programs, including English, history, and political science.

Business and Economics:

NDSU has a strong business and economics program, with programs in areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing.

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Other:

NDSU is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it offers a variety of resources and programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. The university also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.