USU Creates Canvas Integrated AI Writing Coach

Editor's Note: This story was updated on March 1, 2024, to provide more information and notify the public about the progress of the program. The original story was published on January 23, 2024.

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has developed an AI-driven writing coach application seamlessly integrated in Canvas, currently utilized by multiple English courses as part of an ongoing pilot experiment initiated in the fall semester of 2023.

"Utah State University is one of the leaders at the forefront of higher education– alongside institutions like ASU– in developing AI tools that will reshape learning for students and faculty across higher ed," said Neal Legler, director for the Center for Instructional Design and Innovation.

The tool was available to 150 students in certain English 2010 courses on Canvas during the Fall 2023 semester. While still in a developmental phase, the goal was to find ways to use AI while at the same time, developing the abilities of students to think critically and write on their own, so their work, engagement, and interactions with the tool can be measured and graded all within Canvas.

This tool harnesses the power of AI to actively involve students in the prewriting and feedback stages, facilitating the utilization of their own ideas and fostering critical thinking skills. For instance, one key aspect prompts students to input their own thesis and arguments. The tool then assesses this input, pinpointing alternative perspectives, counterarguments, and potential biases. Subsequently, students are able to engage in interactive discussions with the tool to receive feedback and refine their understanding further.

Feedback from both students and faculty has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of the writing coach, leading to significant enhancements in its 2.0 version. Among these enhancements is the incorporation of features enabling students to save and retrieve their work. This upgraded version is scheduled for launch in additional courses during spring semester, with further modifications planned for Fall 2024.

These modifications will expand the coach's capabilities to encompass technical writing, in addition to its current focus on research and argumentative writing. Efforts are underway to broaden the tool's availability across various disciplines beyond English classes, empowering faculty to tailor it for diverse instructional needs to meet the growing faculty demand. Anticipated expansions aim to integrate the tool into more classes in the forthcoming semesters.

It all started in 2022 with the public release of ChatGPT, presenting vast potential applications across various domains, including education.

“When ChatGPT was released, I immediately recognized its potential and started exploring ways to leverage AI to enhance educational tools within Canvas,” said Ludovic Attiogbe, computer system analyst. “It was clear that AI was not a trend, but rather a pivotal element in the future of education. Embracing this technology, rather than fearing it, offers a way to significantly enrich learning experiences.”

Realizing the impact these tools could have, Attiogbe worked with several colleagues to see if the tools could be successfully integrated into Canvas to aid learning. Working with Neal Legler from USU’s Center for Instructional Design & Innovation (CIDI), the pair explored the concept.

They then met with Russ Winn and Rachel Quistberg from the USU Department of English for an additional demonstration. Winn and Quistberg are lecturers who teach undergraduate writing courses with the goal of preparing students for writing within their careers and majors.

Together, Attiogbe, Legler, Winn, and Quistberg brainstormed how to use AI as a writing coach for students. Working with CIDI Student Developer Emma Lynn, the programmers continued to tinker with the program, getting continual feedback from the English department.

“The development of these tools is not just about the technology itself but about envisioning and bringing to life a future where AI plays a crucial role in enhancing educational experiences,” Attiogbe said. “We are enthusiastic about the opportunities this presents for our educational system and look forward to seeing the impact of these innovations and get the opportunity to develop more AI powered tools.”

After successfully integrating AI into their Canvas system, it was presented at the Teaching with AI Conference held in Florida in September.

“The tool is designed to integrate writing with AI into Canvas in a way that might parallel what future students will be accustomed to, in a way that makes their work with it more controlled and gradable,” Winn said. “It is accessed through Canvas and allows us to put some guard rails on AI use that fall within the guidelines and expectations of USU's various departments.”

With this pilot program, USU is open to the possibility of integrating AI into more courses in the future and to find ways to use AI to the benefit of students and faculty.

“It was a real honor for me to work on this project with the CIDI developers,” Winn said. “Regardless of its future, it has shown me the kinds of wonderful things that can happen when departments reach out to support each other’s work and think about the long-term future of education.”