How ChatGPT Might Inadvertently Improve Student Thinking

Summary

Willingham describes conferencing as a way to retain and inspect writing-related thinking.

Willingham distinguishes introductory knowledge goals from advanced argument-building. He describes reading essays during individual conferences, asking students to explain choices and giving immediate feedback.

Conferences expose reasoning and permit emotional support; students reportedly find them stressful and valuable. His university experience does not establish comparable costs or outcomes in large school classes.