Term
Spring 2026
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAT
Facilitator(s)
Karen L. Moroz, Shelley Orr
Content Expert
Albert Hoffman
Abstract
Centered on the question of how to foster academic integrity while maintaining accountability for AI-assisted plagiarism in secondary English language arts (ELA) education, this project responds to the growing reality that students can outsource core cognitive tasks—reading, analysis, and writing—to AI tools. Informed by key influences from neuroscience and educational research, particularly studies on neural plasticity, the reading brain, and cognitive offloading, the project draws on scholarship by Collins, Wolf, and contemporary AI-in-education theorists. These influences underscore the central premise that meaningful learning is not merely demonstrated through output, but developed through the neurological processes activated by sustained cognitive effort. The method of study integrates a literature review with applied design research. Insights from interdisciplinary scholarship were synthesized to create a three-part resource kit: (1) guidelines and best practices for AI-responsive ELA curriculum and pedagogy, (2) visual planning tools to support teachers in designing AI-adaptive instruction, and (3) example learning tasks demonstrating these principles in practice. The resource was designed for adaptability across curricular frameworks and intended for use by multiple stakeholders, including teachers, school leaders, students, and families. Its effectiveness was evaluated through feedback from practicing educators. Results indicate that effective responses to AI in education must move beyond detection and punishment toward intentional instructional design. Emphasizing process over product, cognitive transparency, and balanced AI integration, the project demonstrates that AI can either erode or enhance learning depending on how it is used. Ultimately, this capstone offers a practical, research-informed framework that seeks to preserve the cognitive and ethical foundations of ELA while equipping students to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with AI in academic and real-world contexts.
Project Type
Policy and Pedagogy Guide
Keywords
Assessment, Curriculum, Reading, Technology
Recommended Citation
Crepeau, Timothy, "Evolving Approaches to Teaching Secondary English Language Arts in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" (2026). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1176.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1176
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects