Building a New Playbook in Real Time

Lisa Egle

AI changed the rules of academic writing. I had to change, too. At first, I did what a lot of instructors did: I policed. Tried to catch it, contain it. But that wasn't sustainable—and it wasn't teaching anyone anything. So I started integrating AI into my assignments and assessments in both my writing courses and public speaking classes.

Three years in, still evolving. That was late 2022. Some approaches failed. Others stuck. Now AI is woven into my teaching, and student thinking is more visible than it's ever been. Every semester I bring in more AI, but I also expect more transparency and reflection. By the end, students know not just how to write, but how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

Is it perfect? No. But it's getting better. The landscape shifts constantly, and you have to be willing to get it wrong. That's what I do: stay agile, experiment, take risks, redesign. The playbook isn't finished—I'm still writing it.

Whether you're a student learning to use AI ethically, an instructor rethinking your assignments, or an administrator shaping policy—we're all building this together.

Background

I'm an Associate Professor of English Language Studies with 20+ years teaching composition and ESL writing to multilingual students—though I also teach native speakers, and my approaches work for both. I hold an MA in TESOL from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Before academia, I worked in biotech and pharmaceutical publishing—which taught me to communicate complex ideas clearly and manage high-stakes projects. I've also trained other teachers: in 2019, I taught language teaching methods to international EFL instructors at Drexel University.

I've been recognized with the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award (2024, 2025) and was a featured guest on the AI in Education podcast in 2024.


Workshops & Presentations

I've been sharing what I've learned since 2023.

2025

  • "Making Thinking Visible in the Age of AI: Process-Based Assessment for Student Ownership of Learning" — William Paterson University, What Works Conference
  • "From Product to Process: Making Student Thinking Visible in the AI Era" — PCCC Lunch & Learn
  • "AI: Cheating or Collaborating? Transforming Assignments and Assessments in the Digital Era" — PCCC Faculty Development Day
  • "Teaching Writing in the Age of AI: A Process Reimagined" — PCCC English Department Roundtable & Lunch & Learn

2024

  • "Teaching Writing in the Age of AI: A Process Reimagined" — William Paterson University, What Works Conference
  • "Lights, Camera, Feedback: Multimodal (Video) Feedback Enhanced with AI" — PCCC Faculty Professional Development
  • Featured guest, AI in Education podcast

2023

  • Panel: "AI Is Here: How Faculty and Students Are Using a Variety of AI Tools" — PCCC