AI writing tools have become readily available to students and are transforming assignment writing. These tools can generate content on various topics in a matter of seconds. It can help students overcome writer's block, find resources quickly, and complete their assignments on time.
Unfortunately, plagiarism and ethical concerns surround the use of AI writing tools. Many consider the use of this technology to do coursework as cheating. Some schools even prohibit its use. Additionally, these tools are known for inaccuracies.
If your school bans writing tools like AI, consider a writing service instead. There are many reasons to choose Studybay to write the assignments on your behalf. These online writing experts help college students get cheap but quality papers, essays, and the like. If I'm looking for someone to do my assignment for me, I'll trust experts instead of AI to write my assignment.
4 Ways AI Writing Tools Change the Way Students Write Assignments
Despite concerns surrounding the use of AI writing tools, technology has undeniably changed how students write. These tools make it easier to research, come up with ideas, and create content structure. Even professional writers offering online homework help use this technology to increase productivity.
But how do AI-powered writing assistants revolutionize assignment writing? Let's find out.
1. It Streamlines the Writing Process
The writing process involves many steps, including pre-writing, research, drafting, editing, and revising. Each step takes time and effort.
In the pre-writing stage, you gather ideas and outline your main points. Next is finding resources to learn more about the topic and write a draft. The content won't be perfect the first time you write it. Proofreading and revising are necessary to ensure correct punctuation, spelling, and style. But these steps often leave students spending hours and even days on their tasks.
AI writing tools are packed with functionalities that help streamline writing. For example, ProWritingAid and Grammarly help identify and correct punctuation and grammar errors. With it, students don't have to spend hours proofreading and editing their work.
2. Helps Overcome Writer's Block
Writer's block can cause you to put off writing until the last minute. Everyone can experience it, even professional writers. Since assignments have deadlines, writer's block can be a problem. You can use generative AI writing tools to deal with this issue.
Writer's block can happen for many reasons, like worrying about failing and not having enough ideas to start with. Generative AI writing assistants can generate content based on your instructions. So, all it takes is a clear prompt for the tool to provide ideas for your writing assignment.
You can also use AI writing tools to complete sentences you cannot manage to finish. If you run out of ideas, you can ask the tool to generate ideas on any topic. You can filter the results and choose a relevant suggestion. If you cannot seem to come up with a good intro, let the tools generate one for you.
3. Simplifies Research
Finding the information you need is easier than ever with the help of the Internet. And it is even more effortless with AI technology. Online databases like Google Scholar and JSTOR use AI technology to index and categorize large amounts of papers and articles. These tools provide students better access to information.
Even generative AI writing tools can help with research. For example, enter a prompt on ChatGPT asking for a list of resources with links about a topic. The tool will give you what you want in a few seconds. It curtails the amount of time spent finding sources. Hence, students can jump more quickly to the research and actual reading of works.
AI-powered tools designed to find relevant sources quickly are also available. Example platforms are Elicit, Consensus, and Inciteful. With these tools, students can avoid spending hours scouring through academic journals and other resources.
4. Improve Writing Skills
Improving writing skills requires constant practice and reading. But you'll also need to learn proper grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.
Students who read, not just copy-paste, AI-generated content can learn something from AI tools. AI writing tools, like QuillBot and Grammarly, identify grammar, syntax, and punctuation errors. They also provide real-time suggestions for improving the clarity and style of the content. Some tools even feature paraphrasing capabilities. It turns the writing process into a learning opportunity.
AI writing tools are also helpful in creating quality papers despite language barriers. Non-native English speakers may struggle to express their ideas clearly in writing. AI writing tools can assist them in determining parts of their writing assignment that can be improved.
With AI writing tools, even students with poor writing skills can submit quality work on time. On the other hand, skilled writers can benefit from faster content creation. However, AI should be used responsibly and properly.
Ethical Concerns of Using AI Content Tools
AI writing tools present numerous benefits. However, their use in writing assignments also raises ethical concerns.
AI writing tools aren't perfect yet. They may rephrase or reproduce existing academic work without proper citation. Submitting plagiarized work can harm a student's academic integrity. The generated content may also raise complex problems around intellectual property and ownership.
For this exact reason, AI detector tools are made. But they, too, cannot accurately determine what's written from scratch and what's AI-generated.
In addition, AI-generated content might present biased or incorrect information. AI refers to whatever information it finds on the web. Although AI writing tools are programmed to think and write like humans, they cannot distinguish right from wrong. Also, AI lacks the emotional intelligence necessary to capture and convey complex emotions.
Furthermore, there's the risk of overreliance on AI systems. After all, using AI tools to write assignments is a breeze. However, it robs students of the opportunity to develop critical thinking and writing skills on their own. Copying and pasting AI-produced content won't give students any valuable skills.
How to Use AI Ethically in Writing Assignments
Learning to use AI tools ethically is necessary to avoid legal troubles and protect academic integrity. Here are some practices to help you get started:
- Create precise, context-rich prompts to ensure the AI tool generates content that aligns closely with your intent.
- Do not simply copy-paste generated content and submit it as your assignment.
- Carefully scrutinize the generated content and cross-check any assertions or claims it provides. Rely on trusted databases and sources to ensure content credibility.
- Run your AI-generated content through plagiarism detection tools to mitigate unintentional plagiarism.
- Review and refine the AI-generated content to match your unique writing voice.
- Learn about the latest trends and best practices for using AI writing tools.
Artificial intelligence writing tools are here to stay. More than 50% of students have already used this technology on their assignments or exams. AI tools are also already being integrated into students' learning, with professors asking students to use these tools. And with constant technological advancements in AI, these tools are likely to revolutionize writing further.
Resources:
Jones, B. M. (2023, September 29). How Generative AI tools help transform Academic Research. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/beatajones/2023/09/28/how-generative-ai-tools-help-transform-academic-research/
Marzuki, Widiati, U., Rusdin, D., Darwin, D., & Indrawati, I. (2023). The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students' writing: EFL teachers' perspective. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2023.2236469
Nam, J. (2023, November 22). 56% of College Students Have Used AI on Assignments or Exams. BestColleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/most-college-students-have-used-ai-survey/
