Maggie Roberts on When Students Should Use AI in the Writing Process

In this episode we explore how AI can support student writing without bypassing the difficult, necessary work of learning to write.We speak with literacy expert Maggie Roberts about the foundational skills beneath strong writing, from handwriting and oral language to working memory and executive function. Together, we examine where AI can serve as a useful scaffold, where it may short-circuit learning, and how teachers can make thoughtful decisions based on a student’s age, needs, and instructional goals.Topics covered:• The foundational skills that support writing development• Why “thin” student writing may reflect barriers rather than disengagement• How AI can help teachers identify and respond to those barriers• The risks of using AI to generate writing for younger students• Using AI to support brainstorming, planning, and executive function• How teachers can decide when AI is a scaffold and when it becomes a shortcut• The importance of preserving productive struggle in the writing process• What students may gain or lose by using, or avoiding AI• Why AI literacy should include ethics, metacognition, and student agency• How schools can balance technology use with screen-free learningMaggie Beattie Roberts is a national literacy consultant, author, professional learning facilitator, and writing development specialist. She is the co-author of Foundational Skills for Writing with Melanie Meehan, which explores the cognitive, linguistic, motor, and executive-function demands of writing. Her forthcoming book, Unboxing the Curriculum, helps educators and school leaders navigate prepackaged curriculum and tailor it to their students’ needs. Learn more about Maggie's work at kateandmaggie.com