In education, the potential of Generative AI (GenAI) to augment pedagogical practices and enhance learning outcomes has garnered significant attention (Rizvi et al., 2023). GenAI has changed how we approach the process of writing (Morrison, 2023); however, without a critical understanding of how GenAI impacts cognitive processes and skills, some educators fear that an overreliance on GenAI tools will erode critical and creative thinking and writing skills and increase plagiarism (Kumar et al., 2023; Tlili et al., 2023; Zhai et al., 2024). This qualitative case study research explored the affordances and considerations of two GenAI tools (GoblinAI and BriskAI) in the writing process to facilitate students’ engagement and learning while also guarding against cognitive offloading (Gerlich, 2025). Key findings suggest that tools such as GoblinAI can be helpful for (i) breaking down a complex writing task into manageable chunks and (ii) providing writing prompts as a point of entry to the writing process. Tools like BRISK can be helpful for just-in-time feedback (i.e., “glows, grows and questions”) and to sustain the creative writing flow without replacing critical and creative work. Writers need to have critical AI literacy skills to understand how and why to use the tools appropriately and the self-regulation skills to keep these ethical guardrails in place.

Authors:
Laura Morrison, Ontario Tech University, Canada
Janette Hughes, Ontario Tech University, Canada
Kyle Christiansen, Ontario Tech University, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Laura Morrison is an Assistant Professor in the Learning Sciences within the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University in Ontario, Canada. Her research focuses on innovative and inclusive education supported by emerging technologies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajanemorrison/

Dr. Janette Hughes is a Professor and former Canada Research Chair, in Technology and Pedagogy (2015-2025) at Ontario Tech University. Her research focuses on critical digital literacies across the lifespan, including AI Literacy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-janette-hughes-70195923/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Janette-Hughes-2

Kyle Christiansen is an MA candidate and Research Assistant in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. His interests include educational technology, equity, and AI. He is currently developing an equity-centred AI bias detection tool.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ktchristiansen/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kyle-Christiansen

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajanemorrison/

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